Melbourne supporters have had a rough couple of years. It’s arguable the pain lasts several decades.
Melbourne are the AFL’s cellar-dwellers having gone 15 years without a grand final, nine years without finals – and most damningly 51 years without the AFL’s grandest prize, the premiership.
Along the way was a whole host of high draft picks gone wrong, a change in coach and game plan so often it almost became an expectation and demoralising losses galore. In a desperate bid to change the culture, they turned to Paul Roos.
Roos is praised for changing the Swans culture, which has led to Sydney becoming a powerhouse of the AFL and winning two premierships in recent times.
I’ve sat through these years, witnessed the defeats, felt the pain and the glimmer of hope Roos bought to this downtrodden club. Yet this game against Brisbane and next week against St Kilda, taken on the feeling of more than a game – it’s season defining for so many reasons.
Melbourne’s coming off a loss to Essendon, in a game best to be forgotten. Melbourne had been instilled as favourites to win for the first time since Jesus’s birth and in many respects it was a game they should have won.
It became another case of could of, should of, would of – with Melbourne’s inaccurate kicking allowing Essendon to claim the four points. Make no mistake, Essendon stuck to their task and did enough to beat Melbourne. It was not pretty by any stretch but you can only beat what is in front of you.
Melbourne currently sits on four wins, equal the amount they had at the same time last season, before the side went on to lose every game.
It was claimed in some corners, that Melbourne had lost all progress in that torrid 10-week stretch. It is clear 2015 Melbourne is better than 2013 or 2014 Melbourne, put aside the fact that in itself that is a low hurdle to jump.
The side have a more sound defence which is complemented by a midfield that is getting slowly better at winning its own ball and two-way running.
There is finally a recognisable game plan.
Highlights of the 2015 season include stirring wins over Richmond and the Bulldogs and a dominant display over the Suns – not to mention the monumental win over Geelong.
However, if Melbourne cannot beat the teams around them, it’s hard to determine whether progress has been made. The Dees will start favourites against the Lions and while the Saints will deservedly start favourites, a win is by all means attainable.
A win against one of the two shows Melbourne is equal to those around it and better than last year. Two wins from two (supporters can dream), means there is definite progress and a team which is coming along nicely for its intended goal of finals in 2016.
If Melbourne does not win any games for the rest of season, Paul Roos’ impact will come into question – and deservedly so.
The supporters need hope, need a glimpse of the future which has been promised time after time. It is time Melbourne delivers on their promises and starts becoming a contender.
And it starts with the next two weeks.
Paul D
Roar Guru
I know you’ve no doubt heard this plenty of times already, but you just need to be patient. As others have said, Roos has worked miracles I think to get them to where they are in just two years – they were so unbelievably bad and mentally scarred under Neeld that it was always going to take a while to undo the damage and get the right culture in place. Roos is certainly one of the best in the business when it comes to explaining the right approach to the game, both on and off the field, and I’m sure he’ll do everything to make sure Goodwin’s transition is as smooth as it can be. I’d be reasonably optimistic as a Melbourne fan. There are plenty of great young players at the club, and I’m sure finals are only a couple of years away at most.
patfreak
Guest
don't worry about the demons Roo's has got them on the up n up,just listen to the players talk about how they are finally being coached right, and the footy club as a whole is humming along,next year they Will no doubt in my mind make the eight.
patfreak
Guest
Demons have improved hell of a lot ,they are now in a position to win more games, but struggle to do so cause they haven't been in that position before. so their are gaining that experience. I have no doubt that their will make the 8next year.they've had some heart breaking losses but Roo's keeps on educating them,when u hear the demon players talk about what Roo's has bought to that club an what he demands of them,there is nowhere but up for them.don't worry about Goodwin he'll be good to go, when Roo's hands him a good team.
Adam Daunt
Roar Guru
Mikey I think if Melbourne could they'd offer Paul Roos a blank cheque book and tell him to write his own check. Unfortunately he's been pretty clear that next year is it because he wants to go to Hawaii with his wife. It's worrying for the club but Goodwin has a good reputation and with Brendan McCartney there to be his mentor he may be okay but time will tell
Mikey
Guest
Winning at least one of those games would be great for confidence but -as an outsider looking in - they look like they now have the foundation there to become a finals contesting side in the next couple of years. I personally think Roos has already done a pretty good job of rebuilding this side - they were a train wreck when he took over and it will take a lot longer than 2 years to repair the damage to both the playing list and club culture. I think the strangest - and possibly destabilising - aspect of Roo's coaching tenure is his succession plan to hand over to Goodwin at the end of next year. It seems he will be walking away at the time when the rebuild will just be starting to bear fruit and I don't really get why he would do that. Also while there are great wraps on Goodwin as an assistant coach that does not guarantee he will be a good senior coach. So I think the club would be better served if Roo's hangs around for at least another 2 years after the end of his current contract. Does his contract allow him to change his mind?.
Adam Daunt
Roar Guru
Definitely agree the right process seems to be in place and it's vital for Melbourne to get this draft right, especially given how well the likes of Viney, Stretch and Brayshaw look as prospects for the next ten years, finally there seems to be a process to our drafting and that bodes well for the future. Confidence is definitely the key given where this group has been
Adam Daunt
Roar Guru
Yeah I think we've taken the steps to gain back some lost respectability Gecko, its just I think now being two thirds through the Roos Revolution, its time Melbourne starts to move up from competitive. At the end of the day, AFL teams are judged by the number of wins that put on the board and I'd say the next two weeks are easily chances to improve on last year and to put the debate of improvement beyond doubt but I definitely agree with come a long way especially with our competitiveness.
Jean Smith
Guest
Melbourne have been through quite a lot but they are showing a lot of improvement from where they have been at. Paul Roos I think has been what Melbourne needed to instill that confidence that they have lacked and I think its a growing process and they are gradually getting there. It is important to draft well for a club to gain more confidence in themselves to become more competitive in the competition.
Gecko
Guest
Actually even if the Demons win no more games for the season, Roos' impact is clear. They're consistently competitive and respectable nowadays.
Iain Quinn
Guest
Mostly agree with a lot of what you said, good article, I think you're placing too much emphasis on the result of these next 2 games for them though, sometimes you put in maximum effort and follow the game plan, but luck isn't on your side or the other team is "on" that day. I would say that effort and things like playing your role for the team are still the primary focus for Melbourne. Even if they drop the next 2 it's nothing in the grand scheme of things, as long as they're getting the process right. For now, I think that's still enough for them, although must admit I'm not a dees fan so easy to say without having to suffer through the bad times, might say different then!