Melbourne’s Decline: Unraveling the Causes of a Once Thriving City

From delight to despair: What’s gone wrong for Melbourne for a second straight season?

The Demons’ September meltdowns

Melbourne‘s coach, Simon Goodwin, remains determined that the Demons will learn from their successive September meltdowns, but the question remains: how did a finals campaign that began with so much promise end in disappointment? The Demons, who finished in the top four for the second consecutive year, made history by being the first team under the current finals format to be eliminated in straight sets in back-to-back seasons, when they lost to Carlton by two points in the semi-final.

Poor kicking for goal, ill-discipline, and a breakdown in tactics all contributed to Melbourne‘s disappointing performance. The frustration of another finals failure was evident on the airwaves, with supporters expressing their anger. It is notable that this disappointment comes just weeks after Goodwin received a two-year contract extension, committing him to the club until the end of 2026.

Poor kicking

One of Melbourne‘s major issues throughout the season was their scoring ability. Despite managing to reach three figures on eight occasions, the Demons experienced scoring droughts in both of their finals matches, scoring only 7.11 against Collingwood and 9.17 against Carlton. The question arises: is this a fault in their system or simply poor kicking?

Captain Max Gawn, usually reliable in front of goal, missed two shots that he would normally convert. In one incident, he inadvertently denied Clayton Oliver a goal by striking the ball and diverting it into the goalpost. Commentators have criticized Gawn’s decision-making in that moment, suggesting that he could have allowed the ball to pass over his head instead of trying to touch it.

In addition to Gawn’s missed opportunities, Bayley Fritsch and Kysaiah Pickett finished with wayward accuracy, contributing 2.3 each. However, Joel Smith, a marking tall, fared better and kicked three goals.

Ill-discipline

While Gawn praised Pickett for his energy, the small forward was also guilty of costly poor decision-making. His bump on Patrick Cripps attracted match review scrutiny, and he conceded two 50-metre penalties, one of which led to the Demons losing a shot on goal when an off-the-ball free-kick gave possession back to Carlton. These ill-disciplined acts were unacceptable in such crucial matches.

Injuries and suspension

Melbourne‘s finals campaign was also hampered by injuries. Key players Harrison Petty and Jake Melksham provided valuable contributions before being sidelined just before the finals. Additionally, Jacob van Rooyen’s one-match ban in the qualifying final exposed the Demons’ lack of options inside 50. The team also overlooked Ben Brown, who was underdone, and lost faith in ruck-forward Brodie Grundy.

Sinking sub

There are also questions surrounding the decision to use Josh Schache as a substitute instead of Brodie Grundy. Grundy, a dual All-Australian ruckman, would have provided a strong challenge for Carlton’s defenders and allowed Gawn to play a more attacking role. AFL great Leigh Matthews expressed surprise at Schache’s selection and argued that Grundy’s inclusion could have made a significant difference in the match.

Game style

David King, a former North Melbourne premiership player, suggests that the Demons need to overhaul their style of play. He proposes that the team should embrace a more daring and attacking approach, trusting their strong backline to hold up while focusing on scoring more freely. This change in strategy could potentially alleviate Melbourne‘s scoring woes.

Wasted era

Despite the disappointment, Goodwin and Gawn express determination to use this setback as motivation for the future. However, five-time Hawthorn premiership player Dermott Brereton believes that the Demons are in danger of squandering what could have been a successful period. He argues that Melbourne‘s list is too talented to have just one premiership to its name. With a strong backline and an impressive midfield, including players like Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver, Brereton believes that Melbourne should have achieved more success.

What now?

Melbourne faces important decisions going forward, with players such as Michael Hibberd and Josh Schache out of contract. Additionally, there are rumors linking Brodie Grundy with a trade to the Sydney Swans. Meeting with Goodwin this week, Grundy will discuss the potential trade. If this trade were to happen, it would further strengthen Melbourne‘s already strong draft hand. With multiple draft picks, including the fifth overall selection, the Demons have the opportunity to pursue a key forward from another club.

In conclusion, Melbourne‘s disappointing finals exit raises questions about their ability to perform under pressure. The team must address their scoring issues, improve discipline, and potentially revamp their game style to achieve greater success in the future. With a talented list and valuable draft selections, the Demons have the tools to bounce back and challenge for premiership glory in the coming seasons.