Garry Lyon has revealed some damning numbers that encapsulate Melbourne’s dramatic fall from grace.
Last season’s preliminary final appearance seems like a distant memory for the Demons as they languish in 16th spot and could drop to second last if Carlton beat Gold Coast and they go down to West Coast on Sunday.
Extracting clearances and winning the contest ball isn’t a problem for Simon Goodwin’s side, but a lack of efficiency in attack has been a glaring deficiency that has resulted in their slide down the ladder.
“It’s all about them when they go forward … when they go inside 50 and put themselves into a scoring position,” the former Demons skipper told SEN Breakfast.
“Every time they go in, their ability to score from those entries is the worst that Champion Data have ever recorded.
“You think of sides and some of the poor years they’ve had … the worst ever recorded has been Melbourne this year.
“Their retention for kicks inside 50 went from second in the competition, now it sits at 16th. Last year when they charged through to the finals kicking the ball inside 50, no other team in the competition marked the ball more – they were No.1 in the comp … they’re 16th.
“They can win clearances, they win contested footy, they get it inside 50, and they just can’t convert.”
Melbourne face the Eagles at Alice Springs on Sunday in search of their sixth win of the season.
Listen to the best bits from this morning's edition of SEN Breakfast in the player below