I think to Bailey and the MFC had a plan to build the list in the first two years, the FD and coach did this exceptionally well. Once this was achieved and in alignment with the completion of state of the art training facilities the focus of Baileys plan (and the KPIs he's being judged by) will turn to the development of the list. In this area, by all accounts this preseason has been far better than last and with the new facilities will be better again next year. Development of a young team requires patience and an ability to stay the line despite the inevitable baying of the media (and some fans) when things are rough (as they inevitably will be at times). So the MFC's decisions to extend is sound and in alignment with out strategy both on and off the field.

I believe that Bailey will do for the MFC what Sheeds did for the Dons.

However, should I be proved wrong, I suspect that when Jack Viney joins the club in 2012, his old man might be a good candidate.

Good first post predman and welcome. I hope your belief also comes to fruition.

Why the disappointment ?

Stand back and take a look at the list.

The extension is a formality.

There is no one better qualified than those in-house that know what Bailey and his FD are doing, having turned over the list the last two years from what initially resembled swiss cheese that was past its used by date when Bailey took the reins.

I guess my disappointment stems from a pure football point of view. The lack of any resemblence of a game plan after 2 years and the lack of skill development (one of his major sales pitches).

He and the FD may have a great strategic plan, but in the end its about implementing that plan successfully, not just the theory behind it. I just want to see the evidence that this plan is working (onfield,not just gaining the early draft picks).

You miss my point. As i said if the Players give 110% and show improvement regardless of the final scores, the Press will not go Hard on the Team or Bailey.

But if we have 4-5 performances like last sunday...The press will eat us for breakfast Richmond style.

It is in the clubs hands, and i am very glad we have 3 more practise games to do some hard work.

Like i said on monday morning it would be interesting to hear what is said this week behind closed doors inside the Footy Department.

Which is exactly what this club can't afford to do. By not signing him you increase the speculation. As a club we must be unified and we must back our coach. I agree the effort on Sunday was poor but look what he is working with.

The thing I find most ridiculous about all these threads that had we won none of them would exist. Too many putting too much weight on a practice match.

Edited February 23, 201015 yr by Roost It

I think to Bailey and the MFC had a plan to build the list in the first two years, the FD and coach did this exceptionally well. Once this was achieved and in alignment with the completion of state of the art training facilities the focus of Baileys plan (and the KPIs he's being judged by) will turn to the development of the list. In this area, by all accounts this preseason has been far better than last and with the new facilities will be better again next year. Development of a young team requires patience and an ability to stay the line despite the inevitable baying of the media (and some fans) when things are rough (as they inevitably will be at times). So the MFC's decisions to extend is sound and in alignment with out strategy both on and off the field.

I believe that Bailey will do for the MFC what Sheeds did for the Dons.

However, should I be proved wrong, I suspect that when Jack Viney joins the club in 2012, his old man might be a good candidate.

I'd expect that to preclude Todd Viney from the coaching race.

Few coaches have been in the awkward position of coaching a son or relative, and even fewer would be eager to put themselves in that situation.

If Todd wants to be a senior coach, he may end up with quite a few good alternative offers.

I'd expect that to preclude Todd Viney from the coaching race.

Few coaches have been in the awkward position of coaching a son or relative, and even fewer would be eager to put themselves in that situation.

If Todd wants to be a senior coach, he may end up with quite a few good alternative offers.

Not in my book. That's one player out of a list of 44.

If DB was not to be coach in 2012 and Viney was in the race for the senior coaching spot, I would certainly look seriously at him for the role.

I guess Lindsay Gaze should not have coached the Melbourne Tigers all those years

nutshell

seconded

Not in my book. That's one player out of a list of 44.

If DB was not to be coach in 2012 and Viney was in the race for the senior coaching spot, I would certainly look seriously at him for the role.

I guess Lindsay Gaze should not have coached the Melbourne Tigers all those years

Gaze is an exception, not the rule.

I'd just expect Viney to avoid that situation, that's all.

I doubt the club would see it as an issue.

Gaze is an exception, not the rule.

I'd just expect Viney to avoid that situation, that's all.

I doubt the club would see it as an issue.

Never said it was a rule. Just showing it should not preclude Viney from the Clubs perspective and you acknowledge that.

Well Viney should realise that he either faces that issue or expect to coaching against his son for up to 4 to 5 times a year.

Garland, Frawley, Sylvia, Flash..? Not sure who you're watching but all of those listed had career best seasons under him.

And we are not Richmond, they're cursed.

Hardly surprising that Frawley and Garland had their best seasons under Bailey, they only debuted in 2007. Sylvia and Davey are entering their peak physically, so again hardly surprising.

McLean, Newton, Paul Johnson, Chris Johnson, Miller, Buckley, Bell, Bartrum, Dunn, Carroll have all gone backwards. I don't blame Bailey for all of these, but I keep hearing that he is such a fantastic teacher, and after three years in charge the skill level seems to be worse than it was when he came in.

I’m not saying get rid of him, I just don’t understand why we need to rush to extend his contract, it’s not like the job offers are flooding in and we have to make sure he doesn’t leave.

Hardly surprising that Frawley and Garland had their best seasons under Bailey, they only debuted in 2007. Sylvia and Davey are entering their peak physically, so again hardly surprising.

McLean, Newton, Paul Johnson, Chris Johnson, Miller, Buckley, Bell, Bartrum, Dunn, Carroll have all gone backwards. I don't blame Bailey for all of these, but I keep hearing that he is such a fantastic teacher, and after three years in charge the skill level seems to be worse than it was when he came in.

I’m not saying get rid of him, I just don’t understand why we need to rush to extend his contract, it’s not like the job offers are flooding in and we have to make sure he doesn’t leave.

I think the issue has been they have improved under Bailey and he takes that wrap. Davey's game has been remodelled as has Sylvia. Both have slipped up off the field both have been disciplined and have worked hard to correct that. The footy dept include Bailey should take credit for that.

Bailey took over a train wreck of a list. In 2.5 years he has cleared off 27 players off the list of 44. That is a massive turnover. This include team leaders and icons of the past 10 years. As part of that some of the players still on the list will also go because their limitations preclude them from senior players. A good teacher will only assist a player get the best out of themselves. Newton, PJ, Bell, Dunn and Bartrum have skills deficiencies and will struggle to remain beyond 2010. None of those players currently are part of the blue print for success. After 3 years of injury and questionable performance, McLean has sought other pastures. CJ was a not good enough. So far both have given confirmation as to the MFC concerns about them as players. Buckley massacres the pill and was cut. Carroll was a cultural problem and an inferior defensive option to what we have.

Do a search of "Bailey" on this site. The topic of extension has been done to death so often and its academic now as the Club will announce the extension this afternoon.

Newton, PJ, Bell, Dunn and Bartrum have skills deficiencies and will struggle to remain beyond 2010. Buckley massacres the pill and was cut. Carroll was a cultural problem and an inferior defensive option to what we have.

I agree that these players lack the skill required to cut it in AFL, that was exactly what I was saying. Shouldn't a teaching coach be able to raise the skill level/decision making/attitude? Paul Roos has never been blessed with the best list, but manages to get the most out of the payers he has, isn't that a coaches job?

It seems that the idea is to fill the team with high draft picks and the wins will follow. That's not coaching, that's list management. Very soon there will be two more clubs with better daft picks than we have recieved, and a bigger salary cap. We need to get more out of the current list.

I want to see average players become good, and good players great. Currently I'm not seeing that, so I do not understand the Clubs decision to rush with the extension.

I agree that these players lack the skill required to cut it in AFL, that was exactly what I was saying. Shouldn't a teaching coach be able to raise the skill level/decision making/attitude? Paul Roos has never been blessed with the best list, but manages to get the most out of the payers he has, isn't that a coaches job?

Roos was blessed with a list approach a window of opportunity and topped up players. He had a mature and talented list. He was at a different stage to where our list is and where its been. That's not knocking Roos as a coach.

A teaching coach wont teach a player to make up for a lack of skills. A teaching coach will assist those players maximise their potential.

Jack Dyer used to say in his own venacular that you cant make a silk slipper out of a gumboot.

It seems that the idea is to fill the team with high draft picks and the wins will follow. That's not coaching, that's list management. Very soon there will be two more clubs with better daft picks than we have recieved, and a bigger salary cap. We need to get more out of the current list.

Good point. I think many posters have been given a wake up call that just having draft picks does not ensure you immediate success. Bailey and Connolly have repeatedly said that we have to be patient and there is a need to get at least 50 games into these new players. And you cant play the new players all at once although it seems like it. Our stock of talent is 22yrs and under. They are not going become mature hardened footballers overnight.

I want to see average players become good, and good players great. Currently I'm not seeing that, so I do not understand the Clubs decision to rush with the extension.

I refer to my comments about development and where our list is at the moment. Average players are average because they are ..... B) The players you listed are footballers with one or more significant deficiencies in their game. They will always struggle. In many cases they are not good enough for AFL. The players who are going to carry us forward are the likes of Scully, Trengove, Grimes, Watts, Frawley, Garland, Grimes Blease etc. We need them to develop and we need 5 t 6 of these players to become stars. When you have stars, the average player looks like a good player and the good player may even become great.

But its not going to happen overnight. Our list this year is younger than last year. As I said do the search of the site. Its all there.

I refer to my comments about development and where our list is at the moment. Average players are average because they are ..... B) The players you listed are footballers with one or more significant deficiencies in their game. They will always struggle. In many cases they are not good enough for AFL. The players who are going to carry us forward are the likes of Scully, Trengove, Grimes, Watts, Frawley, Garland, Grimes Blease etc. We need them to develop and we need 5 t 6 of these players to become stars. When you have stars, the average player looks like a good player and the good player may even become great.

But its not going to happen overnight. Our list this year is younger than last year. As I said do the search of the site. Its all there.

I agree with most of what you have written.

I guess my major concern is that your list of "Scully, Trengove, Grimes, Watts, Frawley, Garland, Grimes Blease" may read like my earlier list "McLean, Newton, Paul Johnson, Chris Johnson, Miller, Buckley, Bell, Bartrum, Dunn, Carroll" in a few years if we rush into a contract extension with the wrong coach.

I hope Dean Bailey is the right man for the job.

That's me done on this topic.

Good point. I think many posters have been given a wake up call that just having draft picks does not ensure you immediate success. Bailey and Connolly have repeatedly said that we have to be patient and there is a need to get at least 50 games into these new players. And you cant play the new players all at once although it seems like it. Our stock of talent is 22yrs and under. They are not going become mature hardened footballers overnight.

Unfortunately over the last ten to twelve years we have been hearing that. As Thommo said the only thing that has changed are the names.

Unfortunately over the last ten to twelve years we have been hearing that. As Thommo said the only thing that has changed are the names.

And with that comes the change in the level of experience.

FWIW, I think we'll end up in the same place regardless of when (or even whether) we extend Bailey's tenure.

I'm still of the opinion we should wait and see, at least to see if our H&A form is an improvement on last year's. But it's not my decision, it's the board's, and the board have done a lot of good things for this club recently, so I'm not complaining.

Unfortunately over the last ten to twelve years we have been hearing that. As Thommo said the only thing that has changed are the names.

Do the sums. This list is younger than any list we have had for two years. We have honest B/Cgraders in senior roles the rest are kids. We have not done a complete rebuilding like we have just done in that time period.

Press conference in 10 mins SEN

I agree with most of what you have written.

I guess my major concern is that your list of "Scully, Trengove, Grimes, Watts, Frawley, Garland, Grimes Blease" may read like my earlier list "McLean, Newton, Paul Johnson, Chris Johnson, Miller, Buckley, Bell, Bartrum, Dunn, Carroll" in a few years if we rush into a contract extension with the wrong coach.

I hope Dean Bailey is the right man for the job.

That's me done on this topic.

With the exception of McLean none of the above have been worthy first round picks. Dunn and Bell are flawed footballers. The rest were all lower draft picks for a reason. If you cant see the difference and the disposition of the list then its over to you. Good luck,

Do the sums. This list is younger than any list we have had for two years. We have honest B/Cgraders in senior roles the rest are kids. We have not done a complete rebuilding like we have just done in that time period.

Yes but are they any good, that's the question that is yet to be answered. We have expectations and have had many times before, but will they be fulfilled this time?

Bailey signs 2 year contract (extending his tenure to the end of next year):

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/7415/newsid/89859/default.aspx

Bailey signs 2 year contract (extending his tenure to the end of next year):

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/7415/newsid/89859/default.aspx

Ok so the Deal is done, Let's all get behind him and give 100% support, regardless of our individual feelings.

We only know what is really going on from the outside.

This era that the club currently finds itself is different to any other for a variety of reasons. The ND era is far removed from where we are at the moment and is a ridiculous comparison.

Ok so the Deal is done, Let's all get behind him and give 100% support, regardless of our individual feelings.

We only know what is really going on from the outside.

Yep. Time to close ranks and present a united front.

1 extra year can't hurt can it? Just get the club to play a better brand of football and win more games and you'll be right, easier said than done though. Anyone who thinks the Lyon\Bailey debate will now end should think again, they both now come out of contract in the same year.