SKIPPER Brad Green says this Sunday’s clash against Adelaide Crows at the MCG is not a line in the sand match.
Green suggested that, with the Demons sitting eighth on the ladder, it was far from panic stations, despite acknowledging the team’s poor performance against the West Coast Eagles last round.
“No [it’s not a line in the sand match], we’re looking forward to the challenge of taking on the Crows and they had a good win on Saturday night,” he said from AAMI Park on Monday.
“That’s the thrust of it. Every game is important to us as a football club, from where we’ve been and where we need to get to.”
Green said it had been “a long few days” since the 54-point loss at Patersons Stadium last Thursday night.
“[We’re] certainly disappointed with our performance on Thursday night and we’re better than that,” he said.
“We had a recovery session late Friday afternoon, off the red-eye and on Saturday we had another weights session.
“From a team perspective, [we’ll be] looking at it in team meetings and do all that today.”
Green conceded Melbourne’s defensive pressure was not up to scratch against West Coast.
“It’s a fair comment and you’ve probably got to wear it from Thursday night,” he said.
“Trying to get it out of our backline and things like that wasn’t the best on Thursday night. Our ball movement, our ball skills and our ball use - we turned the ball over a lot.
“We kicked it out of bounds on the full and that’s certainly got to improve for Sunday’s game.
But the reigning club champion said the performance of West Coast deserved acknowledgement.
“We deserved to cop the brunt of it, but the West Coast performance was very good and they’re tough to beat over there when you’re playing on their home ground at Patersons Stadium,” he said.
“They’re not too bad, they’re a good side.”
Green said Monday’s review of round six would reveal plenty.
“Certainly a lot will come out of it,” he said.
“I’m sure Dean’s got some footage that some of the guys won’t like. He’ll bring it up and bring it to the forefront that this is not acceptable and we’ll move on.”
Green said he was unsure which way the match committee would lean towards in regards to selection this round.
“I don’t know what Dean would be thinking,” he said.
“I assume at this stage, he’d be looking at what went wrong and where we can improve and what players can come in and help us improve in certain aspects.”
As for his message to Melbourne supporters, Green had a simple one for the red and blue faithful.
“Hopefully you’ll see a competitive Melbourne outfit running out there on Sunday.”
Green suggested that, with the Demons sitting eighth on the ladder, it was far from panic stations, despite acknowledging the team’s poor performance against the West Coast Eagles last round.
“No [it’s not a line in the sand match], we’re looking forward to the challenge of taking on the Crows and they had a good win on Saturday night,” he said from AAMI Park on Monday.
“That’s the thrust of it. Every game is important to us as a football club, from where we’ve been and where we need to get to.”
Green said it had been “a long few days” since the 54-point loss at Patersons Stadium last Thursday night.
“[We’re] certainly disappointed with our performance on Thursday night and we’re better than that,” he said.
“We had a recovery session late Friday afternoon, off the red-eye and on Saturday we had another weights session.
“From a team perspective, [we’ll be] looking at it in team meetings and do all that today.”
Green conceded Melbourne’s defensive pressure was not up to scratch against West Coast.
“It’s a fair comment and you’ve probably got to wear it from Thursday night,” he said.
“Trying to get it out of our backline and things like that wasn’t the best on Thursday night. Our ball movement, our ball skills and our ball use - we turned the ball over a lot.
“We kicked it out of bounds on the full and that’s certainly got to improve for Sunday’s game.
But the reigning club champion said the performance of West Coast deserved acknowledgement.
“We deserved to cop the brunt of it, but the West Coast performance was very good and they’re tough to beat over there when you’re playing on their home ground at Patersons Stadium,” he said.
“They’re not too bad, they’re a good side.”
Green said Monday’s review of round six would reveal plenty.
“Certainly a lot will come out of it,” he said.
“I’m sure Dean’s got some footage that some of the guys won’t like. He’ll bring it up and bring it to the forefront that this is not acceptable and we’ll move on.”
Green said he was unsure which way the match committee would lean towards in regards to selection this round.
“I don’t know what Dean would be thinking,” he said.
“I assume at this stage, he’d be looking at what went wrong and where we can improve and what players can come in and help us improve in certain aspects.”
As for his message to Melbourne supporters, Green had a simple one for the red and blue faithful.
“Hopefully you’ll see a competitive Melbourne outfit running out there on Sunday.”
