Bailey Locked In

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

That is interesting Reading-thanks Rhino- i still beleive the kangas punch above their perceived weight, which is where we have to get to in time.

Could we have played a more experienced side last week to maybe grab a win & then played more kids kids this weekend? or was that the best side available (casey is too far for me to watch any training sadly)

I know we have to give the kids game time, but a win would have done so much for that group.

There are pros and cons both ways. If DB is just sticking to his guns regardless and playing kids i can live with that. I just hope the young guys don't get shell shocked too early.

Fair rnough. But the direct comparison of North and MFC at this point in time is apples and oranges when it comes to experience.

I dont think we were good enough to win but it would have curbed the downside.

This is the crux of the challenge for Bailey and supporters do we play the young players like Strauss, Scully and Trengove who will make mistakes in the early days but will get better or do we play the Bells and Bartram that have AFL experience which may curd the downside but they sure as wont get much better than they are and neither will our talent develop.

There is going to be some pain before the gain and the improvement we long for wont be a linear line.

[Sir Why You Little 34,611]

Fair rnough. But the direct comparison of North and MFC at this point in time is apples and oranges when it comes to experience.

I dont think we were good enough to win but it would have curbed the downside.

This is the crux of the challenge for Bailey and supporters do we play the young players like Strauss, Scully and Trengove who will make mistakes in the early days but will get better or do we play the Bells and Bartram that have AFL experience which may curd the downside but they sure as wont get much better than they are and neither will our talent develop.

There is going to be some pain before the gain and the improvement we long for wont be a linear line.

Bailey talked about standards on the SEN interview, which i was glad to here, i know i mention it often, but without them talk is cheap.

I visited Glenferrie oval with a mate a few times in the late 80's and 90's (my mate took great delight in showing me the 88 cup) It was a great place with so much pride and great sausages! But seriously you could smell and feel sustained victory in and around that joint. Chris Connolly would have felt it i bet, i am very glad he is back in the fold...(Todd Viney in the Coaching assistants in 2-3 years i am hoping!!!!)

We have to demand that level once those Training facilities are finished, rather than turn up & hope for the best which i think has been a part of melbourne deep down for so long.

John Northey almost broke it, but he lacked one big body on the list. but 5 years running in the finals was a great effort.

The Biggest problem i see at the moment is how to coach these kids with our current Ruck stocks. Centre Bounce & around the ground.

Edited February 24, 2010 by why you little

[DeeVoted 582]

What i cannot understand is, why do we keep making skill errors like we do? Why do we have senior players making poor decisions? Why do we have senior players dropping marks, ineffectively using the ball and being out of position all the time? This is aimed at the senior players, not the first or second or third year players but veterans.

CONFIDENCE = 1 word

If they can string a couple of wins together it will make a big difference.

Its a young team ,with a few players that have been around

for awhile (apart from about 3 -4 that would walk into a top 4 team) we havent got much to brag about.

Those guys would/will be under heaps of pressure (mentally) to perform,put on by themselves.

Firstly trying to impress, secondly to show what they can do. As I suggested in other threads, I would expect them to

be pushing top 8 in 2 years time. This year (hopefully) to 'gell' and get used to playing good footy.

I am not hitting the panic button, I'd give it to mid year,and see where we are at.

Next year should be the crunch year for Bailey, if the team isnt going anywhere,then its time to re-access his position.

Up until now.. last year they hit the brakes,for draft picks, and for reasons unknown, we have been getting murdered with injuries to important players, this isnt new.

THAT worries me.

WHY,WHY, why did they fire up when Jimmy announced his illness. They shouldnt need that kind of motivation,but they proved they can do it.

Until then,suck it up and sit tight.

Someone needs to put the 'devil'back into the Demon.

The jury is still out on the Bailey factor.

[Rogue 585]

You sound dissapointed that no one listens to you Rogue

Not at all.

I'm just not sure why some people seem so quick to jettison their previously strongly-held views, regarding both DB's contract extension and our chances for the upcoming future.

[H_T 2,941]

First, the majority view has been that we couldn't or wouldn't give DB a one-year contract extension, as we would have to (or be very likely to) sign him up for more than that. I disagreed emphatically with this view, and am glad that the Club has not decided we needed to give a two (or three!) year contract extension!

I for one am glad on the decision regarding the one-year extension. Whilst originally (12 months ago) thinking it may be done after several rounds, I'm glad it's done now.

PS.Inbox full.

[Roost It 1,434]

Not at all.

I'm just not sure why some people seem so quick to jettison their previously strongly-held views, regarding both DB's contract extension and our chances for the upcoming future.

Because we lost an NAB cup match!

[H_T 2,941]

Because we lost an NAB cup match!

At a drop of a hat.

[Roost It 1,434]

At a drop of a hat.

And to top it all off, not a semblance of a game plan!

[Keyser Söze 0]

And to top it all off, not a semblance of a game plan!

You mean we have to have a game plan??!?

[H_T 2,941]

You mean we have to have a game plan??!?

What's a game plan ?

Oh I know...anything that doesn't involve flooding, right ?

[Tatu 416]

North had one of the top teams of the 1990s lead by Wayne Carey. However, this should not underplay that they had some really great players like Archer, Longmire, Blakey, Simpson and Bell during that period. Harvey is the last of the proud vintage which has served them well in the 00's.

Agree, but have to add players like Martin, Stevens, Mckernan, Picket and King who are all greats of the 90's. North in the 90's had a team that would have matched Geelong today easily. North were awarded team of the decade(1990's) for a reason....

[Tatu 416]

MFC now have the team we've been waiting for, for a long time. It's time to wait for it all to click......(tick-tock-tick-tock)

[Still Waiting 94]

Bailey can get on with it now knowing he has a job for the next 2 seasons!

Not convinced this is the best way to go for the club! Very disappointed with this unjustified decision.

Agree with Sheahan's article (Cant stand him BTW)!

For all those with blind faith, Where was the improved game effort in WA?

How much IMPROVEMENT in DISPOSAL was on display there?

What obvious game plan emerged?

How many pro active player placements helped the degree of success?

WHEN will the promise of better results start to appear?

Why appoint Miller to team leadership????????

How did the coaching panel react to dominating factors in that Freo game?

Honestly, how many players could hold their heads high, after that shambles?

These are just a few facets of the way we seem to still be playing unsuccessfully.This is totally the overall responsibility of the head coach.The players get away with that sort of performance over and over and over again!

Bailey has a mandate to fix this problem , so do it.That's why he gets big bucks.

Remember it was only Freo, not Geelong or St Kilda or the Doggies.

Two more years of this ineffectiveness is not on my wish list.

[flog 20]

Well in some respects I am bouyed by one particular example. A certain one James Frawley. Many wondered as to his potential and value when drafted in 06. A raw gangley tripping over his own feet sort. far too light to do any damage to a wet rag bu the has grown ( literally ) and morphed into quite a handy backman who's real straps have yet to be hit.

This is the sort of time frame we will have to get used to in terms of it all coming together.

Having said this... still no excuse for the poor execution of basic footy.

You should get a job at the hearld sun. It would be far more entertaining than the crap they serve up

[Keyser Söze 0]

Bailey can get on with it now knowing he has a job for the next 2 seasons!

Not convinced this is the best way to go for the club! Very disappointed with this unjustified decision.

Agree with Sheahan's article (Cant stand him BTW)!

Unbelievable. Have you read any of this thread??

For all those with blind faith, Where was the improved game effort in WA?

It was a NAB Cup match and it is still a group of kids. Where did you expect this improvement to come from?

Where do you expect improvement to come from in general?

How much IMPROVEMENT in DISPOSAL was on display there?

I'm not exactly sure disposal was their biggest problem, moreso the decisions that were being made, ie where to place the ball with their disposal.

Obviously they will be a bit rusty in the 1st NAB Cup match. This is not something exclusive to Melb and it will improve as the season progresses.

What obvious game plan emerged?

Would you even identify a gameplan if you saw it?

If so, can you please give me an explanation of another team's gameplan..?

How many pro active player placements helped the degree of success?

What the hell do you even mean with this question?

WHEN will the promise of better results start to appear?

The promise of better results has been that it will be gradual and that it will come as the kids play more games and gain experience.

Not that it will come after a preseason and then suddenly in the 1st NAB Cup match they will be world beaters.

Why appoint Miller to team leadership????????

Because he might not be the best player in the team but he has experience and is a great leader. This shows your lack of understanding of leadership.

How did the coaching panel react to dominating factors in that Freo game?

Not sure. Can you tell me?

Honestly, how many players could hold their heads high, after that shambles?

A serious question..?

These are just a few facets of the way we seem to still be playing unsuccessfully.This is totally the overall responsibility of the head coach.The players get away with that sort of performance over and over and over again!

Bailey has a mandate to fix this problem , so do it.That's why he gets big bucks.

Remember it was only Freo, not Geelong or St Kilda or the Doggies.

Two more years of this ineffectiveness is not on my wish list.

Bailey has a mandate to develop the players and the list to the point where it will contend for a premiership.

Winning NAB Cup matches is irrelevant. There is also a chance that you are blindly underrating Freo.

You really think one preseason game is an indication of the team's performance over the next 2 years?

If you do, you have rocks in your head. Ridiculous.

Edited February 26, 2010 by Keyser Söze

[Ron Burgundy 8,584]

More than anything, this club currently needs stability.

It is showing positive signs of developing that.

Extending Bailey's contract at this point in time is intended to maintain stability, given that we are clearly up for another frustrating year and many of the natives in our army are getting restless. One only needs to read this loop to see that.

The jury is still out on whether Bailey is a good game day coach. The jury is not out on whether he has positively restructured this list. He has. That was a KPI for him. He has delivered on this.

IMO too many of you focus on the obvious micro detail and forget the bigger picture. When Hannibal crossed the Alps, many of his henchmen had misgivings and bitched and moaned as well. The bigger picture seemed less obvious to them at that time - but it came flooding back when they crossed the Alps and flogged the hell out of the Romans.

Stay calm. Unity and stability is what we currently need. Fortunately the club seems to realise this.

[Demonic Ascent 0]

MFC does not have the money to pay a coach out early given financial support it gets and we can not afford to waste the window of opportunity that the recent recruits including Watts, Scully, Trengove etc will provide in 2 years time!

I think you need to readjust your expectations. In 2 years time Watts, Scully, Trengove etc will be 20 years old. They will likely not hit their peak until about 23-25 years old. Our window is unlikely to be open for another 5 years, not 2.

I think it is a good decision to extend Bailey until the end of 2011. This way the MFC can re-evaluate his contract midway through 2011. By this stage we will have a clearer understanding of whether he is the man for the job or if we need to look for someone else.

If we are to look for a new coach, you can't just expect to decide this at the end of the season and then appoint one straight away who can then come in and review the list and begin stamping their mark on the team. You need to decide halfway through the season whether you will look for a new coach or not so that you can evaluate your options to make the correct decision.

Bailey has had two years to build a list. We have now given him two years to build a team. If he has not shown anything by the end of 2011 we can part ways and appoint someone else who can take us into our "window" in 2014-2020.

The club has made the prudent and correct decision in this instance and I am happy with the current administration of the club, the happiest I have ever been in my 28 years.

Edited February 27, 2010 by Demonic Ascent

[titan_uranus 22,466]

What's a game plan ?

Oh I know...anything that doesn't involve flooding, right ?

This post comes across to me as patronising, towards those on Demonland who didn't like the tactics employed on Sunday. Sure, most (me included) over-use the word 'gameplan', but I still believe that putting 17-18 men behind the ball isn't a good move, regardless of whether it's flooding, or the coach's best idea of how to win a game, or whether it's just the players reacting to a game situation.

And I think you should respect other people's views.

[ICU2 Jerry Jerry 257]

I understand it was only a NAB cup game, and we are hardly ever successful at that ground. My beef is that with the way our team was set up, it just seems we were never actually going to have a chance at winning. Who's fault is that? That is the coaches fault my friend. Never having any players in our F50 seems to me like a sure fire way to lose a game of footy.

Our interstate record is breathtakingly ugly especially at AAMI and SUBI. The club really has to identify every challenge interstate as a major focus. They had a chance against Freo and again walked away with a performance that smelt of familiarity. These interstate contests can no longer be pencilled in for a loss as we need to change the culture of the club and set ourselves for those games. It starts with the preparation of the side and management of the group and unfortunately the buck stops with the coach. its one thing to have an interstate loss, but another to be smashed to smitherines every time we get on a plane. Believe it or not the Freo game was a bigger setback than many think. If a club coming off two spoons and with an air of expectancy and a chance to win some new members and some much needed respect from the footy public can dish that out then I just wonder if there really is a message getting through?

[Deeoldfart 7,781]

CONFIDENCE = 1 word

If they can string a couple of wins together it will make a big difference.

Its a young team ,with a few players that have been around

for awhile (apart from about 3 -4 that would walk into a top 4 team) we havent got much to brag about.

Those guys would/will be under heaps of pressure (mentally) to perform,put on by themselves.

Firstly trying to impress, secondly to show what they can do. As I suggested in other threads, I would expect them to

be pushing top 8 in 2 years time. This year (hopefully) to 'gell' and get used to playing good footy.

I am not hitting the panic button, I'd give it to mid year,and see where we are at.

Next year should be the crunch year for Bailey, if the team isnt going anywhere,then its time to re-access his position.

Up until now.. last year they hit the brakes,for draft picks, and for reasons unknown, we have been getting murdered with injuries to important players, this isnt new.

THAT worries me.

WHY,WHY, why did they fire up when Jimmy announced his illness. They shouldnt need that kind of motivation,but they proved they can do it.

Until then,suck it up and sit tight.

Someone needs to put the 'devil'back into the Demon.

The jury is still out on the Bailey factor.

CULTURE = another word.

IMO it is even more important than confidence, but they clearly go 'hand in glove'.

We need to develop a winning culture so that we don't need special motivation to fire us up. This needs to be the norm with only rare exceptions, rather than vice versa. Such a culture is elusive and multi-faceted, but it's one of the reasons that the best teams can have a bad day or even a longer-term form slump, but still prevail over the opposition.

Clearly a team needs to start winning games regularly to develop a winning culture, but what are the key factors necessary to develop such a culture? Talent and experience are a couple of obvious ones, and team depth to seamlessly cover injuries and ensure stiff competition for places in the senior team is another. Others include excellent coaching and off-field support and facilities; strong on-field leadership and widely held respect for the leaders; pride in individual and team performance including preparedness to sacrifice individual accolades for the good of the team; comraderie amongst the playing group; etc, etc.

Most of us around here would acknowledge that the Melbourne Footy Club is currently well down the 'learning curve' in many or most of these areas. When you start from a very low base like Melbourne has, the qualities mentioned above take time to develop. That's why patience is critical. However, for the first time in many years, I have every confidence that our patience will be rewarded.

Edited February 27, 2010 by Deeoldfart

[Still Waiting 94]

Keyser Soze, pretty sick of your continual rebuttal and putting down of other people's opinion on this forum.

Feel free to not agree with me, but how about posting something to do with the club instead of picking apart other posters and their thoughts. I could do the same to you, but where would that get me?

Ever thought of just saying something in a manner other than your smart arsed disagreements with others? Back off a bit pal, because you have given me the irrits on something that I used to enjoy.

Have a bloody opinion on your thoughts to do with the club stop being an attacker of other posters ideas and observations. I know I am not always right but get the impression that you are the sole judge and jury here. Your not!

BTW, yes I do read the posts and have never agreed with all of them, is this a problem to you pal?

Do you have a problem with me disagreeing with your ideas? That's fine, but keep your insinuating ideas to a milder level because I'm ready to get very *%&@#*% angry on here, just because of you alone!

[Keyser Söze 0]

Keyser Soze, pretty sick of your continual rebuttal and putting down of other people's opinion on this forum.

Feel free to not agree with me, but how about posting something to do with the club instead of picking apart other posters and their thoughts. I could do the same to you, but where would that get me?

Ever thought of just saying something in a manner other than your smart arsed disagreements with others? Back off a bit pal, because you have given me the irrits on something that I used to enjoy.

Have a bloody opinion on your thoughts to do with the club stop being an attacker of other posters ideas and observations. I know I am not always right but get the impression that you are the sole judge and jury here. Your not!

BTW, yes I do read the posts and have never agreed with all of them, is this a problem to you pal?

Do you have a problem with me disagreeing with your ideas? That's fine, but keep your insinuating ideas to a milder level because I'm ready to get very *%&@#*% angry on here, just because of you alone!

Just pointing out how incredibly wrong you were.

Your anger wouldn't have anything to do with that would it..?

[Curry & Beer 5,444]

Keyser Soze, pretty sick of your continual rebuttal and putting down of other people's opinion on this forum.

Feel free to not agree with me, but how about posting something to do with the club instead of picking apart other posters and their thoughts. I could do the same to you, but where would that get me?

Ever thought of just saying something in a manner other than your smart arsed disagreements with others? Back off a bit pal, because you have given me the irrits on something that I used to enjoy.

Have a bloody opinion on your thoughts to do with the club stop being an attacker of other posters ideas and observations. I know I am not always right but get the impression that you are the sole judge and jury here. Your not!

BTW, yes I do read the posts and have never agreed with all of them, is this a problem to you pal?

Do you have a problem with me disagreeing with your ideas? That's fine, but keep your insinuating ideas to a milder level because I'm ready to get very *%&@#*% angry on here, just because of you alone!

he's allowed to challenge your statements. When you post something you make yourself fair game for others to criticise it, that's how this forum thing works

[Still Waiting 94]

Keyser Sose, are you always right? What a sad fella you seem to be. Hope it all improves for you.

Curry and Beer you have made some good posts, but why make that last stupid post?

I don't think you guys have much of an idea how AFL footy works and what supporters expectations are.

I actually expect more from our club and will not make excuses for them. I call it as I see it. Sometimes I get it wrong. I am not blinded by loyalty. I absolutely expect success soon and if not I demand changes.

I also reckon if someone has a different point of view to mine, so be it. I wont hammer them on it.

I am not so sure that some that cast the aspersions on here are all that they think they are!

Predictable posts from both of you, quite humorous in fact!

[Axis of Bob 10,251]

SW,

This is an internet forum. It is about discussion. If you want to put forward your opinion then people have every right to argue reject or accept your opinion based upon what you have written. They may also argue with your opinion, which is perfectly reasonable.

While people who argue your opinion annoy you, people who give their opinion and then choose keep themselves in the dark because they won't accept any debate really annoy me (and I'm sure many others).

If you don't want to argue of dicuss your opinion with anyone, then why would you put it forward at all?