IMO a very good article in the Hun this morning by Jon Ralph - Melbourne's playing list just heavenly.

It says a lot of the things I have been thinking for some weeks.

Look forward to your thoughts.

"On Saturday's feeble showing, Melbourne has a dozen or so players who do not tackle, do not chase, do not care, and throw up the white flag too soon."

This comment is soo true and this is exactly why im so ashamed to be a Melbourne member at the moment.

Melbourne's playing list just heavenly.

Apparently...

OD - I thought this piece to be a little too upbeat about the list for you...

"On Saturday's feeble showing, Melbourne has a dozen or so players who do not tackle, do not chase, do not care, and throw up the white flag too soon."

This comment is soo true and this is exactly why im so ashamed to be a Melbourne member at the moment.

Ashamed?

I'm still proud.

I'm a little worried but I know that everyone's heart is in the right place even if their nose isn't.

I not only think this club can be slavaged, I think this season can be salvaged.

That isn't to say we will make finals - it's to say that the players, the coaches, the admin, and the board can have their say and get their issues out in the open so that 2012 can be spared these issues.

"Too many of that group have underperformed or taken an eternity to develop under Bailey.

Of the supposedly elite tier, Colin Sylvia has never finished top-three in the best-and-fairest,

Moloney's year has been feast or famine, and Aaron Davey is living on past glories"

Like it or not, this is the legacy as it exists of the Bailey tenure.

With any luck a new broom might just whack a few on the backside

List is heavenly...

Apparently...

OD - I thought this piece to be a little too upbeat about the list for you...

No rpfc in spite of what you may think.

I think it is pretty close to the mark.

I don't wallow in depression all the time!

Edited August 2, 201113 yr by old dee

"Too many of that group have underperformed or taken an eternity to develop under Bailey.

Of the supposedly elite tier, Colin Sylvia has never finished top-three in the best-and-fairest,

Moloney's year has been feast or famine, and Aaron Davey is living on past glories"

Like it or not, this is the legacy as it exists of the Bailey tenure.

With any luck a new broom might just whack a few on the backside

I could not have said it better

I read this in the paper this morning. Whilst it is mostly fair, I thought that it was a bit harsh including Sam Blease in the list of list cloggers. He has only played 1 game and was out for a year and a half with a broken leg FFS.

"Too many of that group have underperformed or taken an eternity to develop under Bailey.

Of the supposedly elite tier, Colin Sylvia has never finished top-three in the best-and-fairest,

Moloney's year has been feast or famine, and Aaron Davey is living on past glories"

Like it or not, this is the legacy as it exists of the Bailey tenure.

With any luck a new broom might just whack a few on the backside

I personally think Moloney has been pretty good this year and would have racked up quite a few B&F votes currently.

"Too many of that group have underperformed or taken an eternity to develop under Bailey.

Of the supposedly elite tier, Colin Sylvia has never finished top-three in the best-and-fairest,

Moloney's year has been feast or famine, and Aaron Davey is living on past glories"

Like it or not, this is the legacy as it exists of the Bailey tenure.

With any luck a new broom might just whack a few on the backside

No they are of the Daniher era. And FWIW, they have played better footy under Bailey than they did under ND.

They were part of the wreckage inherited. They probably some of the better parts relative to others that have been jettisoned.

I read this in the paper this morning. Whilst it is mostly fair, I thought that it was a bit harsh including Sam Blease in the list of list cloggers. He has only played 1 game and was out for a year and a half with a broken leg FFS.

To be fair to Ralph, he isn't suggesting that Blease is currently a list clogger; rather, he is one of the "middle-tier players who could end up as 200-gamers or list-cloggers".

Let's hope it's the former.

I personally think Moloney has been pretty good this year and would have racked up quite a few B&F votes currently.

I think feast or famine is an accurate assessment, much like the club's season performances.

"Too many of that group have underperformed or taken an eternity to develop under Bailey.

Of the supposedly elite tier, Colin Sylvia has never finished top-three in the best-and-fairest,

Moloney's year has been feast or famine, and Aaron Davey is living on past glories"

Like it or not, this is the legacy as it exists of the Bailey tenure.

With any luck a new broom might just whack a few on the backside

Bailey can't change the 'It's Me', Culture on his own with weak leadership. The players have to take Ownership of it,,, and the coach is their to build the List firstly, as it was crap,,, then try to teach the kids with soft senior players showing their best suits, to the young kids, how does one coach change all that with out total support and follow-through from all assistants and hierarchy???

It took Barassi all 5 Years to do this in his tenure, so that Lyon, and the young ones coming through with him, could learn in a more competative environment. It wore 'Barass' out. And he had support. The players were shocking.... They changed!!!

I think feast or famine is an accurate assessment, much like the club's season performances.

Agree HT

Right across the media, from KB and Patrick's ridiculous rubbish on SEN this morning, to Caroline Wilson's declaring things true that are only runmour, to Hutchy salivatinhg over anything that can be spun negatively, and son on... it is great to read this artilce by John Ralph. With the exception of Moloney, he is unfortunatey, spot on.

Sylvia is a an absolute gun who fires blanks, or misfires completely too often.

Aaron Davey has been worked out - heavy tag = poor game

Moloney. His down games this year have been when 2-3 players have rotated a tag on him. Even Judd has struggled with this.

Our new coach must have three essential qualities that Dean Bailey seemingly did not:

He must be able to inspire.

He must be able to produce grunt and mongrel right across the list

He must be able to move the mentioned players from potential to ability.

I don't reckon that the club is a shambles, internally fractured or any of that other garbage. Are there differences of opinions and conflicts - yes. Does something need to be worked out between Schwab and Connolloy - yes. But in all honesty, the media simply do not like it when a club manages conflict internally. They want "the goss" so they can fill up their pages. Jimmy, McLardy etc... are working through this behind closed doors and I applaud them for doing so.

It is the TEAM ATTTIUDE that needs change. Our list is amazing! Any coach would dream of such a list.

Bailey had to go but I would have liked him to be offered to say to the end of the season. In effect, the coach is the head of the team.

Green's capatincy is highly suspect. Actually, our leadership development model must be faulty. Our best leaders are Vice Captains at best.

We cannot fight out a game. Our players need to be coached within an inch of their lives nad make them fight to get a spot in the 22, and fight even harder to keep it. Even Green, Davey, Sylvia etc...

.

I personally think Moloney has been pretty good this year and would have racked up quite a few B&F votes currently.

I think feast or famine is an accurate assessment, much like the club's season performances.

Agree HT

Brent Moloney averages 29.1 touches a game in 2012 when we win.

He averages 18.9 when we lose. Not including the Geelong game.

He averages 18 when we get beaten by 41 points or more. Not including the Geelong game.

That is unacceptable.

Yes, he will win the Bluey, but that just illustrates our issues doesn't it?

Bailey can't change the 'It's Me', Culture on his own with weak leadership.

change?? This group for the most part is of his own making. What was to change...it was there to mould !!

change?? This group for the most part is of his own making. What was to change...it was there to mould !!

The leadership was the inherited remnants of past coaching and recruiting. The players you focussed on are the weakness. The younger players are just that and are still learning the caper. In that younger group there is plenty to mould and change. I dont see thats the case with Green and co. We know what we get from them and its not good enough.

I can't remember a year when there have been so many articals in the newspapers about the MFC, from the Tom Scully saga to Trengove’s tackle and now the massacre at Geelong and resulting fall out.

Wont it be nice to get some positive media going?

Our list is the most exciting in the comp and with the new leadership group next year of, Trengove (cpt), Grimes and Frawly (v.capt), Scully (if he's there), Jordie Mc and Col Garland, and MM or Mark Williams at the helm they will reach their full potential very quickly. If the off feild situation can be sorted we will be a force in 2012.

Will be interesting to see how the new coach views the likes Of Blease, Strauss, Maric, Wonna, Morton, Jetta, Bennell to name a few. It could be goodnight for a few of these boys. Bailey was very patient with them.

Moloney isn't an A-grader. He's a flat track bully that rarely plays well against good opposition.

Moloney isn't an A-grader. He's a flat track bully that rarely plays well against good opposition.

I agree.

It's a reason why I've said during preseason this year that I don't think he'll be at the club in about 2-3 year's time.

My understanding of our list problems at the end of this season, is that we will need to make at least 5 spots available on our senior list. Thats 5 delistings of current players we need to come up with.

If we want to retain Evans and Nicholson, they need to be upgraded off the rookie list (if we think other clubs will poach them). Thats 2 spots needed.

Is Jack Viney coming in this draft or the next? If its this year, then there is another place required.

Plus we would naturally expect to use our 1st and 2nd round draft picks from the National draft (excluding Viney). Another 2 spots.

So thats a minimum 5 delistings without trading (unless we traded for lower picks). So lets hear your 5?

eg: Bate, Dunn, Wonnamearri, Spencer, Warnock

Right across the media, from KB and Patrick's ridiculous rubbish on SEN this morning, to Caroline Wilson's declaring things true that are only runmour, to Hutchy salivatinhg over anything that can be spun negatively, and son on... it is great to read this artilce by John Ralph. With the exception of Moloney, he is unfortunatey, spot on. Sylvia is a an absolute gun who fires blanks, or misfires completely too often.Aaron Davey has been worked out - heavy tag = poor gameMoloney. His down games this year have been when 2-3 players have rotated a tag on him. Even Judd has struggled with this.Our new coach must have three essential qualities that Dean Bailey seemingly did not:He must be able to inspire.He must be able to produce grunt and mongrel right across the listHe must be able to move the mentioned players from potential to ability.I don't reckon that the club is a shambles, internally fractured or any of that other garbage. Are there differences of opinions and conflicts - yes. Does something need to be worked out between Schwab and Connolloy - yes. But in all honesty, the media simply do not like it when a club manages conflict internally. They want "the goss" so they can fill up their pages. Jimmy, McLardy etc... are working through this behind closed doors and I applaud them for doing so.It is the TEAM ATTTIUDE that needs change. Our list is amazing! Any coach would dream of such a list.Bailey had to go but I would have liked him to be offered to say to the end of the season. In effect, the coach is the head of the team.Green's capatincy is highly suspect. Actually, our leadership development model must be faulty. Our best leaders are Vice Captains at best.We cannot fight out a game. Our players need to be coached within an inch of their lives nad make them fight to get a spot in the 22, and fight even harder to keep it. Even Green, Davey, Sylvia etc....

I couldn't agree more with everything you said here Maldonboy. Absolutely fantastic to read a well balanced post in these times.