Former Melbourne captain Garry Lyon has sided with Port Adelaide after what he sees as a “bland” and “shambolic” performance.
Although the Demons came into play due to their good shape, they were second best from the first minute and scored only one goal in the first half before Port Adelaide ran away from 12. 12. (83) to 4. 8. (32) winner.
The demons were severely disappointed by some fundamental mistakes, especially by their star players like Clayton Oliver, in Port Adelaide’s 51-point victory at the Gabba.
The performance left Lyon outraged when he questioned the demons’ efforts.
“Port Adelaide was clinical, Melbourne was miserable,” said Lyon Fox Footy.
“They serve this year after year and they have to own it.
“It was a boring achievement.
“That’s where the flakiness comes from because you think things are going to be fixed and then you get half of it.
“I have always said that this football club has a tear – today you can question it, I don’t think there were any wishes or desires.
“Your inability to perform basic skills was shambol. You couldn’t hit a target. History was the ability of the opposing side to kick a ball 25 yards.”
Lyon’s statements about the performance of the demons were repeated by the St. Kilda legend Nick Riewoldt, who questioned Melbourne’s mental toughness.
“Is it a mentally tough group?” Riewoldt asked.
“Every player you’ve played with has this inconsistent effort. You always wonder if he has the mental toughness that you finish the race every week and know what you’re going to get from them.”
“We haven’t been able to say that about Melbourne for a while.”
To make matters worse for Melbourne, Oliver could be vetted by the Match Review Officer after being reported in the second quarter for a faulty elbow against the tall man Peter Portham from Port Adelaide.
While the demons were poor, Port Adelaide recovered from a disappointing home loss to St. Kilda on round 8.
The star-midfield duo Ollie Wines and Travis Boak were both successful with 25 departures, while the young striker Mitch Georgiades showed an impressive performance with three goals.
The loss left the demons in 13th place with a low percentage of 89.9, while Port consolidated its position at the top of the ladder with a percentage of 146.0.
