WELCOME TO THE MELBOURNE FOOTBALL CLUB - ALEX NEAL-BULLEN

[Guest]

I think attitude is bloody key in creating football culture.

I remember before GWS's inaugural match in 2012, Channel 7 filmed Sheeds' pre match address.

It was fairly stock standard stuff but his parting line (upon learning it's significance) had resonance: 

'DON'T LET ANYONE EVER DOMINATE YOU!'

I originally thought it was sports cliche 101 but I learned later on that it related to what he had drummed into the players that pre-season.

Knowing that pantsings were on the way that year and that he was there to set up a strong foundation culture,  Sheeds knew it was imperative for his boys to get whatever they could out of every game (even when the scores were mostly lopsided). That meant never EVER dropping your head, giving whatever form of resistance one could and to make things as uncomfortable as possible for the opposition. Against seasoned competitors, it might have been brushed aside fairly ruthlessly, but ultimate defeat came about in the eyes of the group came when you gave up the ghost and didn't bite back in the slightest (like a certain team we all know from late 2011 to 2013). Was it any surprise that those early Giants teams were criticized over their chirpiness as they 'hadn't achieved anything' by the moral arbiters of the league? Said moral arbiters missed the point of why they were doing it in the first place.

I view sledging and getting in the face of the enemy as bloody essential to the type of competitive attitude that the truly great teams have. The early 00's Lions teams were masters of it. Hawthorn in the late 80's (and their most recent dynasty) had their opponents beaten before they ran out due to the fear of God they put into those opposite.

There are lines that can't be crossed (racial, family, misogynistic and homophobic slurs are no no's) and acts that can be just dumb and anti social (Tom Bugg anyone?). That being said there are times where sometimes you need to step over the line.

Point in case: Our reaction to Essendon aggression in the 2000 GF vs. Hawthorn's in the Line in the Sand game. With the richest prize in the game on the line, we let Dean Wallis and Michael Long beat the crap out of our kids while we sat around playing pocket pool. The result of this indifference was that no one took us seriously from that point on as a legitimate flag threat even though we were consistently in the finals. People knew any type of vigor or pressure thrown on us would see us fold faster than Superman on laundry day.

Hawthorn couldn't even make the finals in 2004 but when Mark Johnson sling tackled a 20 year old Robbie Campbell, the Hawks were all over those smug p####s like stink on a monkey. 

Of course, some will say 'But they got thrashed as soon as the brawl finished!' True but they were always going to get beaten badly. Next game vs. Hawthorn however, a seed had been planted in Essendon's mind. They didn't dare try their usual rot because they knew it wouldn't be tolerated. Playing with more trepidation, they beat the Hawks by 3 points before Hawthorn established their own era of domination over Essendon. It also was the first spark of the unsociable Hawks who would eventually dominate the league.

We until recently have lived with the tag 'Nice men who play nice football' Robert Walls came up with the line in 2005 and I hate to admit, it was devastatingly accurate. I would rather us get up in the faces of the Carlton's and Collingwood's of this world rather than us be viewed as the 'bruise free' joke we were. We avoid that tag by being absolutely and uncompromisingly competitive in ALL aspects of the game without it being counterproductive. Sometimes I wonder if some people here preferred that we were seen as good blokes by media types (who will pot us regardless) rather than be respected because of what we have achieved on the scoreboard.

P.S. I can think of two times last game where Nibbler got in the face of the opposition. Once on a holding the ball decision in the centre and another after he had tackled a bloke over the boundary line.

 

Edited July 23, 2017 by Colin B. Flaubert
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[Demons1858 1,658]

7 hours ago, faultydet said:

Sometimes when you take an envious look at the previous Premier, you wonder how on earth they assembled the talent they have. Some have father/son gifts, while other have just a couple of years in a row where they nailed almost all of their draft picks, and some are lucky enough to have both (Geelong)

Neal-Bullen, Jayden Hunt, Tom McDonald, Mitch Hannan, Neville Jetta, have all been fantastic value for the draft picks used. When combined with a couple of years of nailing our early picks, we are building a list to be feared.

 

Love A.N.Bs vision. He takes the available time to always find someone in a better spot, and doesn.t worry about the flashy stuff. Consummate team player. Love what he is turning into.

 Might be a co incidence but since Jason Taylor left Collingwood a few years ago their recruiting has gone down hill while melbourne has barely wasted a draft pick

[Demons1858 1,658]

In the past a player like ANB would have little to no chance of making it at melbourne. He's an example of what can happen if you have the right development program in place and your prepared to work hard. 

[Bang Bang Bang 5,452]

Next time one of the uneducated bogans from the HS brings up Josh Kelly and Tyson/Salem, make sure the following year's trade is pointed out to them.

Melbourne traded pick 23 to GWS for Frost, pick 40 (Neal-Bullen) and pick 53 (Oscar McDonald).

The best part? GWS used pick 23 on Pat McKenna, who is now on our list.

That has to be the most one-sided trade we've ever done.

Anyway, ANB, tracking very nicely. Has gone from panic merchant to Mr. Cool with ball in hand. 

[faultydet 7,593]

5 hours ago, Demons1858 said:

 Might be a co incidence but since Jason Taylor left Collingwood a few years ago their recruiting has gone down hill while melbourne has barely wasted a draft pick

Wouldn't it be nice to sit in a one of the talent spotting meetings to see how things go down?

I suspect that some of our roving guys are doing a fantastic job, but it would be hard to argue that Jason Taylor isn't the driving force in our turnaround. With P.J, our best recruit yet.

[JTR 2,627]

5 hours ago, Sylvia Saint said:

Next time one of the uneducated bogans from the HS brings up Josh Kelly and Tyson/Salem, make sure the following year's trade is pointed out to them.

Melbourne traded pick 23 to GWS for Frost, pick 40 (Neal-Bullen) and pick 53 (Oscar McDonald).

The best part? GWS used pick 23 on Pat McKenna, who is now on our list.

That has to be the most one-sided trade we've ever done.

Anyway, ANB, tracking very nicely. Has gone from panic merchant to Mr. Cool with ball in hand. 

So in effect...

We traded - picks 2, 20 & 72 

We got - Tyson, Salem, Hunt, Frost, ANB, OMac & McKenna

Thanks GWS!  

[juzzk1d 1,354]

I never thought I'd be saying this, but I feel comfortable when ANB is hitting up a target. His vision is very good and his execution has improved out of sight. 

[samcantstandya 918]

9 hours ago, McQueen said:

I think it's a part of his game he should move away from. He's not exactly a Jonathan Brown type who has the physical intimidation ready to back up a few smart arse comments.

He's doing fine by letting his footy do the talking right now.

If it is part of his make up then y should he stop. I'm glad 2 know not everyone in the side is a choirboy.

[samcantstandya 918]

3 minutes ago, juzzk1d said:

I never thought I'd be saying this, but I feel comfortable when ANB is hitting up a target. His vision is very good and his execution has improved out of sight. 

I was at the game and loved how instead of blazing away for goal deep in the forward pocket & maybe score he looked up and did a perfect chip 2 Petracca 2 make it a monty.

[Fat Tony 4,397]

ANB is playing a similar game to Toby Greene. He wins a lot of possessions as a high half forward. Greene is a better mark and gets more shots at goal, but ANB tackles more. ANB has missed some easy shots this year, but he is becoming a good half forward.

http://www.footywire.com/afl/footy/ft_player_compare?playerStatus1=A&tid1=12&playerStatus2=A&tid2=25&type=A&pid1=4067&pid2=3649&fid1=S&fid2=S

[What 18,810]

33 minutes ago, Fat Tony said:

ANB is playing a similar game to Toby Greene. He wins a lot of possessions as a high half forward. Greene is a better mark and gets more shots at goal, but ANB tackles more. ANB has missed some easy shots this year, but he is becoming a good half forward.

http://www.footywire.com/afl/footy/ft_player_compare?playerStatus1=A&tid1=12&playerStatus2=A&tid2=25&type=A&pid1=4067&pid2=3649&fid1=S&fid2=S

Career games  -  

Greene 111     ANB   29

 

[Ungarie boy 233]

54 minutes ago, Fat Tony said:

ANB is playing a similar game to Toby Greene. He wins a lot of possessions as a high half forward. Greene is a better mark and gets more shots at goal, but ANB tackles more. ANB has missed some easy shots this year, but he is becoming a good half forward.

http://www.footywire.com/afl/footy/ft_player_compare?playerStatus1=A&tid1=12&playerStatus2=A&tid2=25&type=A&pid1=4067&pid2=3649&fid1=S&fid2=S

Note: that Greene had a reputation for being a sloppy kick at goal before his all Australian year.  Sometimes it just takes time to get acquainted with the speed and pressure of AFL, before one's normal kicking skills are replicated in the game.  Also general improvement in the team performance i.e. blocking/shepherding and providing options also has the obvious flow on effect of increasing and individuals perceived kicking skills .  Ask many long suffering Hawks supporters, and if they can remember and are honest they use to bemoan S Mitchel's Kicking very early in his career.   

[monoccular 16,042]

13 hours ago, Demons1858 said:

 Might be a co incidence but since Jason Taylor left Collingwood a few years ago their recruiting has gone down hill while melbourne has barely wasted a draft pick

Sounds like winning the double chance.  Win for us: loss for them.

[Willmoy1947 3,769]

People have their own comparisons. Mine is a young Luke Ball with inbuilt mongrel for ten years.......

[Satyriconhome 9,982]

Forget the drafting etc, this is another McCartney move, ANB not getting a game in the midfield, suggested the move forward and....

[Gorgoroth 12,308]

On 11/29/2014 at 7:36 PM, Gorgoroth said:

I think I'm more excited with this pick to be honest, I think he can be a Luke Ball type player who will just be there all day making those around him a much better player.

 

On 7/6/2015 at 4:26 PM, Gorgoroth said:

Liking what I see so far. His set shot reminded me of Bartel, so calm and assured.

Just going to pump up my own tyres to near bursting...

Keep up the good work Nibbler!

[Binmans PA 25,979]

I wouldn't say I'm a fan yet, but I've been so impressed with the way he's come on this year.

I got it completely wrong it seems. Well done, ANB. Humble pie served and eaten.

[Stretch Johnson 2,568]

15 hours ago, Satyriconhome said:

Forget the drafting etc, this is another McCartney move, ANB not getting a game in the midfield, suggested the move forward and....

Thanks...you truly are the one and only oracle.

Just when we have an independent thought you are here to correct us.

We are in your debt.

[whatwhat say what 18,885]

the last of our key out of contract players?

[What 18,810]

On 24/07/2017 at 7:37 AM, JTR said:

So in effect...

We traded - picks 2, 20 & 72 

We got - Tyson, Salem, Hunt, Frost, ANB, OMac & McKenna

Thanks GWS!  

Anyone on Twitter please send that to Damian Barrett and ask him if he still thinks we lost the Josh Kelly trade

[Thrice 216]

On 24/07/2017 at 7:37 AM, JTR said:

So in effect...

We traded - picks 2, 20 & 72 

We got - Tyson, Salem, Hunt, Frost, ANB, OMac & McKenna

Thanks GWS!  

Ah, no. 2 seperate trades.

Picks 2, 20 and 72 for Tyson, 9 (Salem) and 53 (Hunt) was in 2013.

The pick 20 was on-traded to Port as part of the 3-way Polec deal with Brisbane along with GWS's pick 21, 34, 45 and 48. Port used it to get Jarman Impey, with GWS getting in upgrade to pick 14 (Cam McCarthy) and 29 (Rory Lobb). Can't be bothered unpacking this further for Port and Lions or where they other picks GWS had came from.

Pick 2 was Kelly, obviously, and they passed on 72.

The other was a straight Pick 23 from us for Frost, 40 (ANB) and 53 (OMac) in 2014. The coda to that trade was that the pick 23 was used for Pat McKenna, who we traded for a set of steak knives in 2016.

[JTR 2,627]

1 hour ago, Thrice said:

Ah, no. 2 seperate trades.

I realise that.

Just trying to dumb it down to a simple what we gave up vs what we got back. 

We gave Picks 2, 20 and 72 and got back Tyson, 9 (Salem) and 53 (Hunt)

We gave Pick 23 (used by GWS to get McKenna) and got back Frost, 40 (ANB) and 53 (OMac) 

We then got McKenna back a couple of years later for basically nothing, which means we in effect got Frost, ANB, OMac for free.

[Satyriconhome 9,982]

4 hours ago, Stretch Johnson said:

Thanks...you truly are the one and only oracle.

Just when we have an independent thought you are here to correct us.

We are in your debt.

I was just reporting what the player told me, you could always not read what I post, you have a choice, but then again it would deprive Wise of an opportunity of one handed applause wouldn't it