McGuane’s mid-season report card: Minus Petracca it’s going to take something special to revive Dees’ season

Melbourne’s season has gone from bad to worse with the news Christian Petracca will miss the rest of the season. Mick McGuane unpacks the Demons’ ‘bitterly disappointing’ year.

Melbourne’s season has gone from bad to worse with the news Christian Petracca will miss the rest of the season.

Mick McGuane grades the Demons’ first half of the season.

MICK’S MID-SEASON REPORT RATING: C+

I had Melbourne finishing third on the ladder in my pre-season predictions.

At this rate, the Demons will be lucky to make the top-eight.

It has been a bitterly disappointing year, where many of the same old problems have arisen — along with some new ones.

As much as the Demons are on the positive side of the ledger for now with a 7-6 record, they have lost four of their past five matches, including some concerning defeats to West Coast and Fremantle.

Christian Petracca will now miss the rest of the season and it is going to take something special to turn it all around.

Christian Petracca in hospital. Picture: Instagram

Melbourne’s forward-half profile has consistently been under pressure for years and nothing has changed there this season.

Simon Goodwin’s side ranks 13th for points for — averaging just 77.3 points per game — along with 13th for forward 50 marks and 14th for time in forward half differential.

Mid-sized marking forward Bayley Fritsch (28 goals) has been playing his role, but too much has been left on the shoulders of 21-year-old key forward Jacob van Rooyen.

The Demons need him to evolve very quickly, but also need to use him more cleverly.

When van Rooyen is hitting the footy as hard as he does, teammates must put themselves in the soft drop zone to clean up any crumbs.

It’s time for Goodwin to eat some humble pie and move Harrison Petty back to defence after a return of 3.8 from 11 games.

The defence — led by Steven May and Jake Lever (when available) — has been holding up and is the one key positive.

Melbourne Coach Simon Goodwin needs to admit he has been stubborn, says Mick McGuane. Picture: Jonathan DiMaggio/Getty Images.

The side ranks No. 6 for scores against and No. 1 at stopping the opposition from scoring once inside-50.

However, there has been an alarming drop-off in output through the midfield.

In their 2021 premiership year, the Demons ranked No. 1 in the competition for contested possession differential.

This year they sit 11th in that stat.

They also rate a lowly 15th for clearance differential and 18th for loose ball differential.

That is an ugly set of numbers for a team that has long prided itself on contest and winning its own footy.

Melbourne is carrying a few passengers, too.

Recruit Jack Billings doesn’t look to be making the Dees better, Adam Tomlinson cannot cement his spot in the team and Ed Langdon isn’t having the impact we’ve come to expect from him on a wing.

GIANT SHOES TO FILL

The injury to Petrraca is a huge blow given how poorly the midfield and forward line have already been performing despite his best efforts each week.

Two experienced teammates in Jack Viney and Clayton Oliver must step up to help fill the void.

I’ve long admired Viney and Oliver, but they both look a shadow of their former selves this year.

Viney is averaging just 20.9 disposals and has recorded a single clearance in each of his past two games.

Clayton Oliver has been below his usual best in 2024. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

Oliver put his hand out for a massive contract extension two years ago.

Is he now playing for his contract or for his club?

Oliver is hurting the synergy of the midfield group because of his lack of match fitness after an interrupted pre-season.

Alongside ruckman Max Gawn, he used to completely control clearance situations.

That hasn’t been happening much this year.

BIG TEST AHEAD

Expect the Demons to bounce back against North Melbourne after the bye.

However, it gets interesting after that.

The round 16 clash against Brisbane on a Friday night at the Gabba will be a huge test.

Lose that and it will be a long road back to feature in finals.

Originally published as McGuane’s mid-season report card: Minus Petracca it’s going to take something special to revive Dees’ season