Viney clueless on Demons' Etihad record
Melbourne caretaker coach Todd Viney admits he has no idea what lies behind the Demons' terrible AFL record at Etihad Stadium.
About half of the Melbourne players that will face West Coast at the enclosed venue on Sunday have never experienced victory at the stadium.
The club's most recent win there came four years ago, with 11 losses since.
Over the same period, they have won or drawn about 40 per cent of their MCG games.
But Viney is not interested in devising strategies to break the hoodoo, saying Melbourne simply need to learn to produce their best football regardless of location.
"From my point of view, I'm in this job for five or so weeks, it's any time, anywhere, any conditions," he told reporters on Monday.
"If you can't play well at Etihad, you can't play well anywhere.
"That's the mindset of our playing group going forward this week."
Having taken a hammering from top-four clubs Hawthorn, Geelong and Carlton in the past three rounds, the Demons face a similarly daunting task against the fifth-placed Eagles.
But Viney said Melbourne would take some confidence from their performance against the Blues, despite falling 76 points short.
"We'll just address our kicking issues and some structural things, but there will be plenty of positives we can draw."
Viney said Melbourne were working on ways to penetrate West Coast's forward press, after struggling enormously with it in Perth in round six, when they were thrashed by 54 points.
High-profile pair Liam Jurrah and Colin Sylvia, axed for Viney's first game in charge last weekend, are in strong contention for recalls.
Viney said they impressed for the Demons' VFL affiliate Casey on Sunday, in particular delivering the improved defensive performances he was seeking.
"The things I was looking for out of Sylvia and Jurrah, I was pretty happy with," Viney said.
"Cale Morton was also pretty good, so I was pretty happy with yesterday's game.
"It was the things we've been talking about, defensive intent and structurally playing their roles.
"Both (Jurrah and Sylvia) were very good and I anticipate they'll be right up in selection."
The Demons will have to make at least one change, after young defender James Strauss' horrific leg break against the Blues.
Melbourne also had utility Luke Tapscott stretchered off in a neck brace after a heavy collision, but Viney expected him to be available.
Post a comment about this article
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Becoming a member is free and easy, sign up here.