MELBOURNE
2020 FINSIHED 9th 9 wins 8 losses
“ITS NOW OR NEVER FOR GOODWIN AND MELBOURNE”
This is a HUGE year for the Melbourne Footy Club and it’s also a massive year for senior coach Simon Goodwin.
Melbourne finished 9th (again) and whilst it was an improvement on their disastrous 2019 it wasn’t enough to satisfy the Melbourne faithful. The Demons took a long time to get going in 2020 and it’s the 2nd year in a row they had a poor start. They cant afford this again as Melbourne simply MUST get rolling from Round 1. That said Melbourne had a great run home and won 6 of their last 9 and this is the momentum they need to build on.
Melbourne was one of the worst sides in the AFL connecting from midfield/forward with terrible conversion ratios. The recruiting of Big Ben Brown the spearhead from North Melbourne may just give them the key target they need to improve there inside 50 connection (however he is currently long term injury list).
Off field they have bolstered their coaching department the appointment of premiership coach Mark Williams along with former Demon Adam Yze and former Saints Coach Alan Richardson.
Christian Petracca is a key for Melbourne’s improvement but one player cannot do it alone and the Demons look in for another challenging year. This is likely to result in a coaching change.
2021 PREDICTION-MELBOPURNE 9th 12 wins
NORTH MELBOURNE
2020 FINISHED 17th 3 wins 14 losses
“PLENTY OF PAIN AHEAD FOR THE KANGAROOS“
Well the Kangaroos have bitten the bullet they have culled the list and got themselves a new Coach (2nd time in 2 years). Whilst not landing the “big fish” they have been attempting they add Jaidyn Stephenson and Aidan Corr can add to the list.
After the difficulties associated with the Rhyce Shaw situation with his health and inability to coach the side the club have made a commendable choice in the appointment of David Noble to the position of Senior coach. They also add Paul Roos as a “consultant” and mentor of sorts to the coaching group.
Noble really has done it all as he has coached his own side (SANFL Level), been an assistant coach at Adelaide along with being a List Manager there. He has overseen the Football Department (Brisbane) and with this wealth of experience under his belt he seems well placed to take the club forward. Its not to dissimilar an appointment to Chris Fagan a few years ago at Brisbane, a rookie “elder statesman” who had an abundance of footy club hours notched up at the top level. Noble will be given the latitude and time needed you would expect (within reason) to allow his style to be implemented.
North Melbourne have made the decision on the players that are NOT going to take them to the promised land. The mass exodus of key players is as follows: Ben Brown, Shaun Higgins, are the two big names along with a host of others who have been moved on. It’s a fresh slate for Noble to work with.
North Melbourne last year tried to knuckle down on the defensive aspect of the game and this worked for about 3 rounds. It is interesting to hear Noble in the press talk about bringing an exciting brand of play so it sounds as though there will be a bit more balance to their endeavours. North supporters will have to put the rose coloured glasses on this year and look for the “little wins” in what is a big transition season
2021 PREDICTION – NORTH MELBOURNE 18th 3 wins