Essendon legend Matthew Lloyd has expressed disappointment in Melbourne Demons for not translating their pre-season commitments about camaraderie into effective performances on the field. Currently 0-3, the team bears little resemblance to the formidable unit that clinched the premiership in 2021.
Melbourne’s culture has been severely undermined by a series of off-field controversies, creating a perceived unsettled environment. Notable incidents include the infamous altercation between players Steven May and Jake Melksham, alongside Joel Smith’s anti-doping breach. Recently, unrest has surfaced with reputed players Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver expressing desires to be traded, compounded by boardroom conflicts, which have drawn negative attention to the club.
On the show Footy Classified, Lloyd highlighted that Richmond successfully navigated similar challenges in 2017 through actions rather than mere rhetoric. He critiques Melbourne’s current approach, stating they have failed to exert the necessary effort on the pitch, saying, "Melbourne refused to run… chase… defend. That is garbage."
He believes Melbourne has been all talk with no action, lamenting their lack of genuine teamwork. In efforts to rebuild their culture, the club has enlisted mindset coach Ben Crowe and organised a pre-season camp aimed at fostering openness among players. Despite these efforts, Lloyd remains sceptical about their effectiveness, insisting that genuine team cohesion cannot be fabricated or mandated.
With the Demons set to face the Geelong Cats at Kardinia Park, they are desperate to turn around their dismal start to the 2023 season and secure their first win.