The Tackle: Dees simply pathetic

Melbourne leaves the field lead by Jack Grimes Picture: Harman Stephen Source: HWT Image Library

LET'S not mince words; Melbourne was pathetic yesterday.

Coach Mark Neeld and his assistants must be flabbergasted - and frightened - by the insipid effort, the lack of intent and accountability and the lack of leadership in a horror start to the campaign.

The 79-point loss felt like a Round 22 performance, with the players looking to the end of the season and six-week break.

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Instead, it was Round 1, when hopes were high and the team had new faces and supposedly new energy.

At three-quarter time, Demons fans booed Neeld and Co when they walked on to the ground.

At least that's something consistent, for Melbourne fans could boo for Australia if was an Olympic sport.

Then midway through the final quarter, commentator Barry Hall said the players had "thrown in the towel".

Round 1 prognostication is fraught with danger, and there are 21 games to be come, but Melbourne has to accept the inevitable criticism after such a debacle.

It's not all the players' fault, though.

Neeld had a summer to prepare his team for Round 1, to underline the importance of applying pressure and withstanding pressure, and the need to make quick and correct decisions.

Whereas Port Adelaide was stunning with its application under new coach Ken Hinkley, the early assessment of Melbourne suggests not much has changed.

Neeld will take responsibility for not having his players prepared to play high-intensity footy.

For heaven's sake, first-gamer Jack Viney was Melbourne's best player, which is an indictment on most of his teammates.

Seasoned recruits such as David Rodan (12 possessions) and Shannon Byrnes (14 possessions) meandered through their first outing and Cameron Pedersen and Tom Gillies had little impact.

The contrasting attitudes from both teams was laughable.

Hinkley won several key match-ups, too. Jack Watts, No.1 in the competition for intercept possessions in Round 8-15 last season, was opposed to Paul Stewart, who kicked three goals and stopped Watts from setting up from the back half.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 31: Hamish Hartlett of the Power passes the ball during the round one AFL match between the Melbourne Demons and Port Adelaide Power at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on March 31, 2013 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images

And Kane Cornes, the veteran who was never to play for Port again 18 months ago, was close to best afield by collecting 29 disposals and stifling the heart and soul of Melbourne's midfield, Nathan Jones.

It wasn't those two match-ups that won the game, however.

Port had extra numbers at the ball, it piled pressure on the ball carrier and ran in numbers out of the back half, led by a deadly left-footer called Jasper Pittard.

His precision kicking is in the mould of a Matthew Suckling or Brent Guerra, and he won't have it as easy again this season.

Port's pressure to keep the ball in its front half is a sign of a good team, and it was no more evident than in the third quarter when the Power kicked 5.6 to 0.1.

Youth dominated. Chad Wingard and Jake Neade were creative forward of centre, Ollie Wines was as good as Viney in his first game and a young bloke named Campbell Heath, who has had two knee reconstructions, was inspiring.

The midfield of Cornes, Hamish Hartlett, Brad Ebert, Travis Boak, Matthew Broadbent and Wines obliterated the opposition.

Hinkley's team, which many observers suggested would be bottom two, won't simply spook teams this year.

In the pre-season Hinkley told only half the story about his footy club.

After a poor 2012, where the effort was seriously questioned, Hinkley promised a more resolute Port Adelaide.

"It won't be easy," he said, "but I promise you this: We will never ever give up."

He forgot to relay the promise they'll also play fast, exciting, rebound and high-pressure football.

Of course, the challenge is to repeat the performance in the coming weeks.

In complete contrast, Melbourne's challenge is simply to compete, which, after yesterday's effort, is easier said than done.

 

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