Melbourne’s shocking struggles against St Kilda leave fans frustrated, Simon Goodwin searching for answers

Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin said his Demons are ‘easy to play against’ after a fourth loss in five 2019 starts — and one eye-popping statistic backs up his case.

The Saints have run all over the Demons. Picture: AAP

Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin has declared his side “easy to play against” after another loss mired in wasted chances and unaccountability.

Last year’s preliminary finalists are now 1-4, with Goodwin admitting he had major issues to fix at both ends of the ground.

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Demons coach Simon Goodwin addresses his players at three-quarter-time. Picture: Getty Images

The Demons had eight more inside-50s in a 40-point loss in which St Kilda frequently went coast-to-coast with ridiculous ease.

“They’re going from one end of the ground to the other way too easily, so that’s one of our bigger challenges,” Goodwin said.

“We also need to connect with the ball. We had lots of opportunities where our fundamentals forward of centre just let us down.

“There’s a lot of little things wrong with our game at the moment and that’s making it really challenging to play the way we want to play. “

Incredibly, no side is easier to score against than Melbourne. Champion Data numbers reveal the Demons concede a goal from 30 per cent of inside-50s. North Melbourne is the next-worst team at 27 per cent.

The Saints kicked a stunning 8.0 (48) in chains originating from their back half.

Dermott Brereton labelled Melbourne “a team of downhill skiers”.

“We’re easy to play against. We’re still getting some supply, but we’re getting beaten in transition way too easily,” Goodwin said.

“We’re breaking down in too many areas … and then the scoreboard pressure builds.

“We had opportunities in the first half to put some scoreboard pressure on. We were unable to do it and in the end I thought the Saints’ hunger and workrate in the second half was well above ours. That’s the disappointing thing for us.”

Goodwin was confident “the wheel will turn and we will get ourselves going”, but said he was concerned the wasted chances was affecting the players.

“The frustration and disappointment builds. It builds in coaches, it builds in players, it builds in you as a club, but what we can’t afford to do is let that frustration and disappointment then affect the way we play,” he said.

The Saints have run all over the Demons. Picture: AAP

“In the second half, some of our contest work dropped away, our clearance work and I thought we got outhunted around the footy.

“If we make a mistake, let’s just get back in and mop it up because that’s the way the game is played. Every contest does matter in this game and you’ve got to continue to be up for the grind.”

As fans took to social media to slam a Demons’ side that was completely outclassed by the Saints — who led by 45 points at three-quarter time — club great Garry Lyon unleashed.

“Some harsh realities are slapping Melbourne fans right in the face here,” Lyon said on Fox Footy.

“Your eyes tell you when you’re watching this, this is a St Kilda side full of belief who know how they want to play and go and execute it really well and this is a Melbourne side that was sluggish, slow.

“They haven’t been able to lay a finger on them, Melbourne.”

Jordan Lewis, brought in for his first AFL game of the season without any time in the VFL, had just six disposals across the first three quarters.

“Jordan Lewis has been selected to play in this game on the back of no game time at all — just had the six touches, just two kicks — and it’s not his fault at all, but he’s symptomatic of a group that’s been on the back foot,” Lyon said.

I actually want an apology @melbournefc. An unequivocal apology from the coaches to all members that this is not we expect, it is not what we want and it is not what we deserve. #AFLDeesSaints

— A A Jacoby (@adamajacoby) April 20, 2019

Two weeks I got in a cab 6 points up and got out 7 goals down. Tonight I check and we’re 3 points up then 2 quarters later we’ve added 2 points to 7 goals. This is not what I signed up for. #AFLDeesSaints @TitusOReily #yearover

— Jon Irvine (@jon_look585) April 20, 2019

That’ll do Melbourne, that’ll do. #betterlucknextyear bloody so about the @stkildafc. Bloody good on them. #AFLDeesSaints

— Tom Snell (@TomSnell36) April 20, 2019

Google, search ‘September holiday specials’.#AFLDeesSaints pic.twitter.com/pQ8XN8naSI

— Drunk Logic (@drunk_logic) April 20, 2019

This is woeful! The Dees are pathetic. Who is worse at home this round? Brisbane, Nth Melbourne or Melbourne? #AFLDeesSaints #afl360 #garbage

— Gary Kelso (@65GK) April 20, 2019