Viney makes a Statement

[Demon Stalwart 255]

In his first media appearance as Melbourne coach, Viney admitted his head was "still spinning" after a dramatic few days but was adamant he would return to his role as general manager of player development when the season was over"

It will be a really solid foundation for this week to compete against Carlton and the following week and the following week. That will take care of itself.

This week is the most important week in the history of the footy club for a long time and we'll worry about this week's game."

The Demons and the Blues meet on Saturday in the first time since Blues players Mitch Robinson and Denis Armfield suggested Melbourne played 'bruise-free football'.

Viney would not respond directly to the comments but said his team's physicality would be on show.

Go to MFC website for full text

Lets all hope Tods right

Lets see a bit of Backbone from our players

Lets see them concentrate on playing football

Lets see them free now of Baileys Influence play football the way they should

Carlton is Doable but only,only if they PLAY REAL FOOTBALL!!!

Go DEES!

[Sydney Dee 1]

The best way to put a week from hell behind us is definitely with on-field performances. I'd be mortified if accused of playing bruise-free football, show them the complete opposite.

[Guest Guy Rigoni]

Funny as Todd's old job is the perfect job for Bailey. Here's hoping Todd's still around when Jack arrives.

[heartbeatstrue 57]

This is the bit I liked:

"I'm not going to buy into comments from previous players about our club. We'll worry about our intent this week and I guess the perception will be for the public and the media to watch and see the result on the weekend," he said.

"Our intent will be on show this week. It certainly wasn't there last week. We spoke to the players and one of our major focuses will be on our defensive intent.

"We won't win every contested ball going but when the opposition do, we'll be trying to get the ball back as quick as we can. And that will be done with real force."

And I agree with Mike Sheahan in the Hun, that the MFC playing group is either under-achieving or over-rated:

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/dean-bailey-was-melbournes-fall-guy/story-fn7shz1t-1226106208276

The players are the only group in the club that seems to have been absolved from blame in recent days.

Whether Bailey was a good coach or not, he wasn't wearing the red and blue out on the ground on Saturday.

If the players didn't want Bailey to go, surely they had to give more.

The Suns are a bunch of kids playing alongside a champion and a handful of experienced players, and they have a crack every time they take the field.

As one senior Melbourne official said at the weekend, it's time for every section of Australia's oldest football club to face the mirror test.

As for the new coach, there is one certainty - Melbourne won't be playing bruise-free football this week.

[DEELIRIOUS 156]

Just watched the Todd Viney presser on the MFC website and boy that guy is cutting off the media's questions and it was like he ran the show, just so much authority. Finally a bloke with presence, first since Barassi. The way he was talking was captivating and i reckon that a lot of blokes have copped a rocket or are gonna cop one from him. Jesus, keep it up T.Viney!! The emphasis on defensive pressure is finally revealed to all, Bailey was so quiet and every time when asked tried to run and hide or change the toopic. Good to see that things are FINALLY being assessed properly. Fire up Melbourne for the Blues!!

[Bates Mate 4,510]

Impressive, you can tell he has fire in him

[dee-eee 231]

Should be compulsory viewing for all members ! Even an old cynic like me has had an enthusiasm revival. Tell all your depressed Dee mates to watch it !

[Hip & Shoulder 64]

Just watched the Todd Viney presser on the MFC website and boy that guy is cutting off the media's questions and it was like he ran the show, just so much authority. Finally a bloke with presence, first since Barassi. The way he was talking was captivating and i reckon that a lot of blokes have copped a rocket or are gonna cop one from him. Jesus, keep it up T.Viney!! The emphasis on defensive pressure is finally revealed to all, Bailey was so quiet and every time when asked tried to run and hide or change the toopic. Good to see that things are FINALLY being assessed properly. Fire up Melbourne for the Blues!!

What we knew of Todd as a player will be carried over into his coaching style. Can't wait for Saturday... I'll be there with bells on!

[Cheesy D. Pun 1,765]

I really like that he's not putting himself forward for the job. I think the fact that he harbours no personal ambitions will be helpful in unifying the club over the next 5 weeks. The more people that have the clubs best interests at heart, the better.

[Range Rover 1,935]

Hugely impressive.

Has to be said, Viney has what the previous man in the role didn't ..... presence.

You get the feeling he'd be able to deliver a frightful bake!

[Cherrybaby 9]

Should be compulsory viewing for all members ! Even an old cynic like me has had an enthusiasm revival. Tell all your depressed Dee mates to watch it !

I just watched the media conference and I reckon he will sure breathe fire into those boys for Saturday's game. He's exactly what we need even if it's only for the next 5 games!

[Jaded No More 68,974]

Finally got some time to watch the media conference, and it was good viewing.

God I hope Viney cracked some skulls (no pun!) in that meeting with the players today.

Anything less than an amazingly brave, contested, hard effort on the weekend would be an effing disgrace.

Like Viney said, we need the leaders of this club to stand up. Saturday will show us who our real leaders us, because last weekend the only players I could call leaders were McKenzie, Watts and Trengove, which is not good enough.

[NO MERGER 20]

You can catch Todd's presser via my blogspot.

http://theaussieword.blogspot.com/2011/08/melbourne-fc-in-viney-lyon-out-bailey.html

[Deemort 28]

Just watched the Todd Viney presser on the MFC website and boy that guy is cutting off the media's questions and it was like he ran the show, just so much authority. Finally a bloke with presence, first since Barassi. The way he was talking was captivating and i reckon that a lot of blokes have copped a rocket or are gonna cop one from him. Jesus, keep it up T.Viney!! The emphasis on defensive pressure is finally revealed to all, Bailey was so quiet and every time when asked tried to run and hide or change the toopic. Good to see that things are FINALLY being assessed properly. Fire up Melbourne for the Blues!!

hmmmm pity he doesn't want the job, I know we haven't seen him coach yet but just what we need I think.

[P-man 13,366]

The players seriously better smell blood in their nostrils this weekend. I don't even care if they do it for each other or not. Just find a man and hunt him down like an animal. Absolutely all or nothing this weekend.

[Dee Fan 3,247]

Very impressed with Todd, he handled this extremely well.

[Nasher 33,617]

Hugely impressive.

Has to be said, Viney has what the previous man in the role didn't ..... presence.

You get the feeling he'd be able to deliver a frightful bake!

Because Dean never delivered a bake.

I guess I shouldn't be surprised that the revisionism has already started.

[Demon Dynasty 17,109]

Very impressed with Todd, he handled this extremely well.

Extremely. A great asset to our club it would seem. Thanks for putting that up Rob. Has revived my hope a little after last weekend's on field debacle and the post match off field saga/speculation.

Edited August 3, 2011 by Rusty Nails

[beelzebub 23,383]

Because Dean never delivered a bake.

I guess I shouldn't be surprised that the revisionism has already started.

Of course he did.....just maybe the oven wasnt hot enough to actually cook anyone !!

[The Chazz 4,077]

Of course he did.....just maybe the oven wasnt hot enough to actually cook anyone !!

So what's the benchmark for an improved effort? Obviously a 10 goal loss is going to be better than last week, but what will be acceptable?

I will be paying close attention to the players endeavour at the contest. If there isn't obvious signs over the next 5 weeks, all it will do is either convince us either way that Bailey was the problem.

For the sake of some supporters, I hope that the boys come out this week and physically intimidate Carlton. If they don't, who will be next to blame? Can't be Bailey, wont be St Todd.

[desertfox 9]

I don't care if half the team is reported this week...just get stuck into the mugs and play like animals...if not we're gonna cop a gullet full from the Blues supporters on Satday.

[Pates 9,661]

I'm really glad to hear that at this stage he's not interested in the position after this year. Partly to do with a fear of losing Jack, but also because I think he's a great person to have around the club and with us likely getting a brand new coach next year, it means a much cleaner transition rather than the typical clean out of all footy department people. I think there is a need for new blood in a lot of positions, but Viney's definitely one I want us to keep around.

I think he's a perfect fit for us for the final games of the year. A club legend, someone that knows the meaning of tough footy, and a person that demands respect. What's great is that we're hearing a lot of club legends saying I want to help to do what's best for the Melbourne Football Club.

Jimmy has embodied a spirit that we need to not get behind but go forward with.

[beelzebub 23,383]

So what's the benchmark for an improved effort? Obviously a 10 goal loss is going to be better than last week, but what will be acceptable?

I will be paying close attention to the players endeavour at the contest. If there isn't obvious signs over the next 5 weeks, all it will do is either convince us either way that Bailey was the problem.

For the sake of some supporters, I hope that the boys come out this week and physically intimidate Carlton. If they don't, who will be next to blame? Can't be Bailey, wont be St Todd.

Remebering how Todd played Im inclined to believe he'll remind the players just who it was who tagged us as the Bruise Free mob !!

come 5 .oo sat afternoon theyll be calling them those Baggers the Navy Bruise !!!

[e25 5]

Because Dean never delivered a bake.

I guess I shouldn't be surprised that the revisionism has already started.

I thought the same thing, but I don't think you'll ever get through to him...

[John Crow Batty 8,879]

I reckon all those posters noted for their prolific quantity rather than quality of posts who who have been in denial for the past two years need a healthy dose of revisionism in their thinking.