Yeah righto mate he's Norm Smith and Yabby Jeans incarnate. Get a grip yourself. We've been down this path before. Didn't work then, won't work now. I'm livid and expect a lot of other Melbourne supporters will be too.

Jeans ... 70-odd pretty average games, and then took over St Kilda with no experience whatsoever. That Yabby Jeans? Or Norm Smith ... passed over at Melbourne, and picked up as a reject by Fitzroy to start his career. With no coaching experience whatsoever.

Neeld. Great choice, widely regarded as the best of the assistants, and was always going to be first cab off the rank. That we got him before Crows, Dogs and even St Kilda is a rather nice fillip to end the week on.

PS

You're livid? You could always head over to some of the Adelaide boards, where there is much gnashing of teeth that they missed out on him.

I'm a little dissapointed we still leak our information. I'm sure it wasn't planned to have an anncouncement on Saturday which Gary cannot make but like the appointment of Neeld. Now for Pendles to re kindle his demon passion. All year we should put pressure on the pies. Just like GWS did to us.

Information was leaked out of Collingwood not Melbourne - and Garry would not name the coach - just said we have a coach and an announcement tomorrow

On ya bike then. Bailey was experienced at Port, big difference between them and the Pies I'd suggest.

I trust the decision that the club has made.

But I wouldn't cite differences between Port and the Pies - Port were premiers and we pinched a premiership assistant as did Hawthorn ( Clarkson). When we got Bailey Port had just finished where the Pies are now.

60 games of VFL/AFL footy. Coached Ocean Grove to a few flags. Second fiddle at another club. Forgive those of us who aren't doing cartwheels in our pyjamas.

Alistair Clarkson says hello

Alistair Clarkson says hello

Touche!

Wow, clearly you must've been right in the inner sanctum when we were selecting our last coach. Otherwise, how would you they "kicked sand in the face" of Sheedy? Sheedy went for a job and presented for it, Bailey presented better. Does choosing someone over him constitute insulting him?

I will probably be the odd one out here, but I'm backing in the last selection panels decision on Bailey. You can only choose the best person based on what is presented to you, Bailey promised a period of development, where he'd play kids and play for draft picks, he has done that. I always questioned whether he'd have to ability to get us to the next level, but I felt at that time the concern was secondary to what we required.

So was their appointment of Bailey wrong? IMO it was not.

Was their sacking of Bailey wrong? Hell no, he'd taken the list as far as he could.

Am I glad we didn't get Sheedy in the beginning? You damn right I am, he is nothing more than a promotional coach at GWS, make no mistake the real brains at the Giants is Choko.

Odd two out - I agree with you.

Bailey was an assistant in a highly successful period at Port.

Clarkson was an assistant in a highly successful period at Port.

Lyon was an assistant in highly successful period at Port.

Scott was an assistant in a highly successful period at Collingwood.

We are not privvy to what is presented to the panel but I would be very surprised if the boxes we wanted ticked were not hard edge, no nonsense, non acceptance of mediocrity etc.

Guys, other clubs wanted him. Western Bulldogs are interviewing Brendan McCartney too.

It's about more than if you can remember them as a player.

I think he will be exceptional. If we can have someone with energy promoting the club and driving the players with a game plan of hard uncompromising football I will be happy.

Just a question (and a statement).

Why are people so insistent on the idea of an experienced "senior assistant coach"?

- for mine there's no real evidence that this position is all that valuable. Yes, if a two time premiership coach wants to do it ala bomber thompson, than that's probably going to be a great addition, but is there any other positive examples of this idea? It just seems like the latest fad.

IMO Neeld should be allowed to put together the team he deems would be best for our success, if you entrust someone with coaching the footy club than you better hope you have full confidence, otherwise you shouldn't have made the appointment. Why do we want a Craig or an Eade looking over our premiership coach in waiting's shoulder?

I'm sensing some post-traumatic growth.

Feedback Im getting from filth supporters is that Neeld is very good & the reason why they won a flag. Malthouse dosent mince words & continues to say that this guy is the next big thing.

Do we really want RL whos integrity is on question?? How can he expect commitment & loyalty from his players when he runs for the $$$.

Feedback Im getting from filth supporters is that Neeld is very good & the reason why they won a flag. Malthouse dosent mince words & continues to say that this guy is the next big thing.

Do we really want RL whos integrity is on question?? How can he expect commitment & loyalty from his players when he runs for the $$$.

Just a question (and a statement).

Why are people so insistent on the idea of an experienced "senior assistant coach"?

- for mine there's no real evidence that this position is all that valuable. Yes, if a two time premiership coach wants to do it ala bomber thompson, than that's probably going to be a great addition, but is there any other positive examples of this idea? It just seems like the latest fad.

IMO Neeld should be allowed to put together the team he deems would be best for our success, if you entrust someone with coaching the footy club than you better hope you have full confidence, otherwise you shouldn't have made the appointment. Why do we want a Craig or an Eade looking over our premiership coach in waiting's shoulder?

Because experience counts massively.

It's very hard for Neeld to make big decisions, whether it be hiring and firing, re-structuring, football related, because being in the big chair is totally different to being an assistant. So if you have a strong assistant who you can use as a sounding board, who has been there and who can do some of the heavy lifting for you due to their credibility, it helps immeasurably.

Wow, clearly you must've been right in the inner sanctum when we were selecting our last coach. Otherwise, how would you they "kicked sand in the face" of Sheedy? Sheedy went for a job and presented for it, Bailey presented better. Does choosing someone over him constitute insulting him?

I will probably be the odd one out here, but I'm backing in the last selection panels decision on Bailey. You can only choose the best person based on what is presented to you, Bailey promised a period of development, where he'd play kids and play for draft picks, he has done that. I always questioned whether he'd have to ability to get us to the next level, but I felt at that time the concern was secondary to what we required.

So was their appointment of Bailey wrong? IMO it was not.

Was their sacking of Bailey wrong? Hell no, he'd taken the list as far as he could.

Am I glad we didn't get Sheedy in the beginning? You damn right I am, he is nothing more than a promotional coach at GWS, make no mistake the real brains at the Giants is Choko.

One of the more intelligent posts I have read on Demonland.

I live in Ocean Grove (where Neeld coached) and have done so for 20 years and still do to this day. I played 5 senior games under him (because i was 17 at the time) before he left for bigger things. I can tell you the man can coach. He takes nothing but 100% efforts (even from a 17 year old kid getting his first taste of senior footy) and if you don't give him that boy do you cop it.

He commands respect, on and off the field and comes from a teaching background where he was also held in high regard being the head of the health/pe department down at Geelong College (prestigious school). Because of this he has also worked alot with 17-18 year old youths.

The years he took the grubber to the flags was amazing for the club. Ocean Grove are a dominant side in the BFL usually but they are never a flashy side. Brendon Mcartney took them to several premierships before Neeld and installed a "hard working", "no bull [censored]", "support your team mates at all costs" style of play which Neeld carried on after Mcartney left for bigger things. There were never any flashy players, they just took the cattle, made them work hard and got results.

I for one am happy to have him on board (if true). Yes he is inexperienced in a senior coaching sense, but he certainly is the tough coach we are looking for.

Because experience counts massively.

It's very hard for Neeld to make big decisions, whether it be hiring and firing, re-structuring, football related, because being in the big chair is totally different to being an assistant. So if you have a strong assistant who you can use as a sounding board, who has been there and who can do some of the heavy lifting for you due to their credibility, it helps immeasurably.

Neeld has been a senior assistant for 4 years under Malthouse. At some stage he was going to step up..as everybody does at some point in their career. He is held in high regard by the Pies and by Malthouse. Whilst I would have been happy if were able to snag a top coach like Malthouse, I'm happy that we have Neeld. Negativity will get us nowhere. He has very good experience at a team that is in the finals second year running. Let's not be so dismissive. The MFC know what needs to be done and know that they need the supporters behind them all the way.

Neeld has been a senior assistant for 4 years under Malthouse. At some stage he was going to step up..as everybody does at some point in their career. He is held in high regard by the Pies and by Malthouse. Whilst I would have been happy if were able to snag a top coach like Malthouse, I'm happy that we have Neeld. Negativity will get us nowhere. He has very good experience at a team that is in the finals second year running. Let's not be so dismissive. The MFC know what needs to be done and know that they need the supporters behind them all the way.

Sorry, you missed my point. I was responding to the comment above as to why we needed experienced assistants to support Neeld. I agree with what you're saying.

From what I've been told by several Collingwood supporters (albeit word of mouth) he's actually fairly uncompromising. Strong willed, not just another 'whiteboard tactical genius.'

Absolutely stupid comment seeing he hasn't been at the club for even a single day yet.

Out of all the assistants going around I think we have made the right choice. Personally I would have rather seen an established coach ie. Malthouse or Lyon, but that would be in an ideal world. As i've said at this stage I'm fairly happy.

Honestly - how would Collingwood supporters know whats going on in the box.

As per previous poster - a very underwhelming appointment.

MFC fails again to land a big fish

Sorry, you missed my point. I was responding to the comment above as to why we needed experienced assistants to support Neeld. I agree with what you're saying.

Sorry..yes I did. I read too quickly. :-)

'

So what time is the announcement?

Let's give our club some credit for appointing who they believe is the best candidate. I note Garry has said all along we will get our man. It is easy to go after names but they are not always the best fit. As someone else has posted the last few flags were mainly won by new coaches, eg, Clarkson, Roos, Worsfold, Thompson, Williams etc. Maybe we can add Neeld to that list in the near future. If we add the experience of Craig as is rumoured, all the better. I am going to be excited until I see solid reasons why I shouldn't be. Let's get behind him and support him and our players as a positive vibe always helps.

Sorry..yes I did. I read too quickly. :-)

'

No. My fault. I'll write slower

Let's give our club some credit for appointing who they believe is the best candidate. I note Garry has said all along we will get our man. It is easy to go after names but they are not always the best fit. As someone else has posted the last few flags were mainly won by new coaches, eg, Clarkson, Roos, Worsfold, Thompson, Williams etc. Maybe we can add Neeld to that list in the near future. If we add the experience of Craig as is rumoured, all the better. I am going to be excited until I see solid reasons why I shouldn't be. Let's get behind him and support him and our players as a positive vibe always helps.

Seconded

60 games of VFL/AFL footy. Coached Ocean Grove to a few flags. Second fiddle at another club. Forgive those of us who aren't doing cartwheels in our pyjamas.

I agree! The MFC needed a name a big name who can and will tell the good old boys at board level and executive STAY THE HELL OUT OF MY FOOTBALL DEPARTMENT AND THEY DO

While i suppose M Neeld is a good coach and a good teacher L'm thinking he will lack the horsepower required to take this club a long way from the cultural weaknesses that have held it back for so long

Another lost opportunity in my humble opinion

So Mark Neeld is the go eh?

Let's start kicking the ball around the boundary line. Sounds great. But it took the filth years to perfect the play under M&M.

5 years later than it took the Wangaratta Magpies to succeed with this play in the Ovens and Murray, the bush. Then only because the opposition couldn't believe players would run so far to get a kick or pressure the opposition. This is a lame gameplan. Take out the dynamic boundary running, marking forwards, and you have no game. Ask Carey! Then ask Geelong!

Give me a break, around the boundary, and a half baked forward press is not what MFC needs, yesterdays game.

Get Choco or stay with Viney. Don't get sucked in to the M&M plan. (candy on the outside). He has been uplifted by a maxed out money club and Neeld is a small portion but edible portion of that club.

Before we all start to assume Neeld's game plan, how about we wait and see what he brings to the table next year. Sure he'll bring some of the pies game to us but he'll also bring his own ideas.

I reckon he'll go alright.

I agree! The MFC needed a name a big name who can and will tell the good old boys at board level and executive STAY THE HELL OUT OF MY FOOTBALL DEPARTMENT AND THEY DO

While i suppose M Neeld is a good coach and a good teacher L'm thinking he will lack the horsepower required to take this club a long way from the cultural weaknesses that have held it back for so long

Another lost opportunity in my humble opinion

Who should they have got out of the available coaches?