Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin wants his dominant AFL side to go to another level as they seek to absorb the rise in expectation and pressure that comes with premiership favouritism.
The Demons staged an epic second-half comeback to defeat Brisbane by 22 points in western Sydney on Friday night, claiming yet another big scalp.
Goodwin declared the second half was as “good as” his team have played – a fair effort given an 11-1 record that also includes impressive wins over Richmond, the Western Bulldogs and Geelong.
Lions coach Chris Fagan became the latest good judge to heap praise on Melbourne, describing them as the best opposition that Brisbane have faced this season.
Goodwin noted the victory, coming after a flat start in which Brisbane eased to a 20-point halftime lead, would hold his charges in good stead throughout the rest of 2021.
(Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)
“We want to be in a position where people do have high expectations of us because it creates pressure,” Goodwin said.
“And to do what you want to do, you have to be able to perform under pressure.
“We understand there’s a lot of excitement among our supporters and playing group… we know we’ve got a lot of work to do.
“Our challenge is to keep improving, keep stepping up to these challenges and making sure we’re ready to go when the time comes.”
Fagan described Melbourne’s 11-1 start as a “phenomenal effort”.
“And their loss was by the smallest of margins,” Fagan said.
“You have to take your hat off to them and what they’re doing at this stage of the year.”
Melbourne, who next face Collingwood at the SCG in their annual Queen’s Birthday clash, will fly home on Saturday then return to Sydney on the eve of their final game before the mid-season bye.
“We’re looking to get the crowd that the game deserves. It’s a special occasion,” Goodwin said.
“We’re looking to fill the SCG come next Monday.
“The crowd (on Friday night) was brilliant. I didn’t realise we had so many supporters in Sydney.”
Speedster Jayden Hunt suffered a knock to his shoulder on Friday night, but played out the rest of the game.
“We’ll assess that during the week, but he looks fine,” Goodwin said.
Boo
Guest
Geelong got to the 04 prelim 05 Davis put them out in Sydney 07 won the flag as the dominant side .Melbourne 18 prelim did nothing 19 and 20 21 are the dominant side .That is the comparison .
Scott
Guest
Agreed. I’ve been watching the cats this whole time as the dark horse. They just keep notchin* the wins which is all they need to do. As long as they are all fit for finals, then they have one of the best lists going and all experienced in big games. The dees are looking awesome now. They’ve surely wrapped up top 4 now so it’s there’s to lose.
shifty
Roar Rookie
The umpiring this year has been deplorable.
shifty
Roar Rookie
Maybe your thinking about the 05 Cats.
shifty
Roar Rookie
08 Hawks didn't need that motivation to salute. You could also argue that when the game starts to get away from you, you start thinking we lost last year and now we're not going to get it done again.
dab
Roar Rookie
Can we talk about the umpiring or the lack of it? - Push in the back in marking contests. Allowed. - Holding the ball forever. Allowed. - Tripping. Allowed. - Trying to pick up the ball. Not allowed. - Time taken to call play on. Not called until the player was in front of the man on the mark. - Throwing. Allowed. - Blocking in marking contests. Allowed. - Push in the back in ruck contests. Allowed. - 10 metre kicks and a mark is paid. Allowed. And a pile of other bad decisions. Feel free to update the list. The umpiring was the worst part of the game. It could have been a whole lot better.
Don’t get he’d yourselves dees as come finals time it’s a whole new ball game agree playing great football but where in June and experience in finals is massive bonus for few teams that are inside the 8
Boo
Guest
Hope your on the money Peter but the Demons remind me of the 07 Cats got to a prelim then a year in the wilderness and to then it all clicked .Melbourne have Gawn 07 Geelong Ottens both sides good defences young onballers and competent forwards .Fritz might even mimic Steve Johnson and take home Normie .
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
Didn’t do much for GWS and Power back in 2007.
dab
Roar Rookie
Yattuzzi, knowing how it feels to lose a GF is a great motivator. (maybe even a necessary motivator)
Gyfox
Roar Rookie
I'm happy for Titus O'Brien!
Chanon
Roar Rookie
My first memory’s as a five year old was cheering the dogs from the race & the smell of deep heat & green grass!
Chanon
Roar Rookie
I’ll check it out, Dogs have used 38 players which l was a tad surprised about interesting to know how other teams fair in this regard!
Chris Lewis
Roar Guru
i only went to whitten oval once
Chanon
Roar Rookie
True miss watching games at Whitten Oval!
Chris Lewis
Roar Guru
my first piece on Roar was about draw https://www.theroar.com.au/2010/12/14/can-the-afl-and-nrl-competitions-be-made-fairer/
Chris Lewis
Roar Guru
yes, draw is weird. was really fair VFL days. 12 teams, play each other home and away.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
What a bloody joke thought 18 teams not 21 :unhappy:
Chris Lewis
Roar Guru
I think round 21
Chanon
Roar Rookie
My dogs must play you soon?