No, the curse remains... We sacked Smith for a reason (though the reason defeats me now... Barassi?) ,

I recall the story went.... Norm Smith pubically called an umpire *whos name escapes me* a cheat. The MFC board at the time, refused to back up or support him on the matter, leaving him to his own devices (sued?) that didnt happen. That lead to him being sacked, Smith said he didnt have the support of the MFC. Later his wife said Norm Smith died of a broken heart, after the treatment he received from the MFC. He coached Sth Melb, got them into the finals, but he really

got himself into trouble, Fiery red head Barassi wanted to get into coaching when he finished his playing days, Norm Smith advised him he would be better, going elsewhere to gain experience. Norm Smith as I recall didnt tell him to leave

just left that descision the Barassi. I am going from memory for the above. But thats pretty much how it evolved.

We have been pretty much, crap ever since.

I recall the story went.... Norm Smith pubically called an umpire *whos name escapes me* a cheat. The MFC board at the time, refused to back up or support him on the matter, leaving him to his own devices (sued?) that didnt happen. That lead to him being sacked, Smith said he didnt have the support of the MFC. Later his wife said Norm Smith died of a broken heart, after the treatment he received from the MFC. He coached Sth Melb, got them into the finals, but he really

got himself into trouble, Fiery red head Barassi wanted to get into coaching when he finished his playing days, Norm Smith advised him he would be better, going elsewhere to gain experience. Norm Smith as I recall didnt tell him to leave

just left that descision the Barassi. I am going from memory for the above. But thats pretty much how it evolved.

We have been pretty much, crap ever since.

Yep. But please look up the records.. We were crap right up to Checker Hughes being enticed over by the former Richmond secretary. Checker made changes and stood on toes.

Before The hardness Checker brought, the 'fuschias' were weak. The club had only one 2 flags in a smaller league, over what, 35 yrs or so???

We had to Import How to, & Hardness to change the existing MCC culture.

Edited September 30, 201113 yr by dee-luded

Hard to please.

Oh I don't know, rpfc? I certainly don't hate Neil Craig. I do hate the thought of off field appointment blowouts which may stretch the MFC budget to the extent we go back into debt. Some sustainable debt is fine, but not the kind of debt we just spent years overcoming through the efforts of big Jimma.

I do however hate the filth and anything to do with them. I am desperately keen to celebrate another Collingwood loss by GF's end today and will be devastated should they win. I think it only fitting that M&M should coach his last game to a GF loss, with the subsequent re-application of the term Collywobbles - gee I miss that term.

Yep. But please look up the records.. We were crap right up to Checker Hughes being enticed over by the former Richmond secretary. Checker made changes and stood on toes.

Before The hardness Checker brought, the 'fuschias' were weak. The club had only one 2 flags in a smaller league, over what, 35 yrs or so???

We had to Import How to, & Hardness to change the existing MCC culture.

And I at least hope these new club appointments bring the hardness, fight and never-say-die that we so desperately need.

Oh I don't know, rpfc? I certainly don't hate Neil Craig. I do hate the thought of off field appointment blowouts which may stretch the MFC budget to the extent we go back into debt. Some sustainable debt is fine, but not the kind of debt we just spent years overcoming through the efforts of big Jimma.

I do however hate the filth and anything to do with them. I am desperately keen to celebrate another Collingwood loss by GF's end today and will be devastated should they win. I think it only fitting that M&M should coach his last game to a GF loss, with the subsequent re-application of the term Collywobbles - gee I miss that term.

It's a saying - I am using it in the way that there are always going to be those who criticise what you do so just keep on doing what you're doing.

So please don't take the 'hate' seriously.

As for "Craig = Debt" opinion, I don't get it.

We have a dearth of professionalism and we have tried to go out and get what we haven't got.

If mismanagement occurs we will criticise that but if we cannot expect to have an FD like the one we are building we may aswell pack it in now and play in the VFL.

I would prefer we go into $2m debt and win a flag than breakeven and finish 5th.

That's just my view.

If mismanagement occurs we will criticise that but if we cannot expect to have an FD like the one we are building we may aswell pack it in now and play in the VFL.

I would prefer we go into $2m debt and win a flag than breakeven and finish 5th.

That's just my view.

And my view as well.

What also needs to be taken into account is the fact that investing in the club/FD will hopefully win us that elusive flag (or flags) which will in turn reap it's own financial rewards through prize money, merchandise sales, sponsorship, membership, attendances etc.

Also some (all?) of the increase in FD spending is covered by the recent injection of cash from the AFL which is specifically ear-marked in our case for spending on football operations. The AFL has told clubs what this additional money must be spent on and for us it is mainly the FD - other clubs like North were told they need to use it to pay off their debt and invest in off-field resources such as marketing and investing in strategies to increase membership and attendances and break into the western metropolitan region. I'm not sure how much this will cover but it gives us some scope to significantly increase our FD spending to be able to compete with the elite clubs without having to worry about blowing out the bank balance.

...................................................

As for "Craig = Debt" opinion, I don't get it.

We have a dearth of professionalism and we have tried to go out and get what we haven't got.

If mismanagement occurs we will criticise that but if we cannot expect to have an FD like the one we are building we may aswell pack it in now and play in the VFL.

I would prefer we go into $2m debt and win a flag than breakeven and finish 5th.

That's just my view.

I agree with your view rpfc, and putting into financial management terms, 'you gotta spend some money to make some money'. The critical point is that the money spent needs to be wisely spent. My gut feeling is that we are going just that, but only time will tell, of course.

I have been so impressed with Neeled's ability to assemble his coaching panel, and not only that but his ability to demand nothing but the best from the club. Full credit to him, and full credit to the club for giving him the best back up possible.

It's interesting to think about how little we have spent on the football department compared to the likes of the Pies, Bombers, and Carlton. That extra money in the bank given to us from the TV rights deal has been put to excellent use thus far.

Edited October 1, 201113 yr by Pates

http://www.3aw.com.au/displayPopUpPlayerAction.action?&url=http://media.mytalk.com.au/3AW/AUDIO/290911_Dees.mp3

Champion. Thanks.

..........................

Thanks jacey. A very impressive interview.

Cheers Jacey. Neil sounds like a very intelligent person to have at the club.

I think we are seeing the gradual application of the Andrew's report while the findings we will never know

the recent changes in structure, the hiring and firing that's occurred I think has reflected the report.

Each line will now have 3 staff

The line coach, the line coach assistant and IT support assistant

The coach - is more defensively focused

Conditioning was under par.

Sports Performance Coach

CC has been moved out of football and into marketing

The report i think had some key themes

The football department was under resourced and uncompetitive

there was a lack of innovation and we were under prepared for future game changes

Player development, training regimes, player conditioning and injury rehabilitation where under resourced.

We needed to invest in these areas to bridge the gap

I'm happy to see the club investing into the FD

The lack of excuse for poor on field performance is dwindling which can only be good.

Just wanted to share this old article about Neil Craig that I had saved.

http://www.theage.com.au/news/rfnews/craig-is-about-more-than-milestones/2009/04/17/1239475064807.html

I've always thought a great deal of him as a coach and person.

We should all be very pleased to have him at the club (and I think we are).

Just wanted to share this old article about Neil Craig that I had saved.

http://www.theage.com.au/news/rfnews/craig-is-about-more-than-milestones/2009/04/17/1239475064807.html

I've always thought a great deal of him as a coach and person.

We should all be very pleased to have him at the club (and I think we are).

I believe he will be hugely respected for his principles and values outlined in that article. We can only hope that these are transferred throughout the club and it spills out on the field and at every contest.

Risk versus reward in imo... best way to negate risk is through Due dilligence. We HAVE done that, in practicaly all areas of our footy dept. I know at least 10 family and freinds who will be buying a membership, some for the first time and some not since daniher days. If we have a 30-40% rise in memberships in 2012, this will continue to offset the debt incurred. Not to mention if we string wins together, attendance will offset too. Some one has already said, "build it and they will come", couldn't agree anymore. And lets see what happens in next weeks Draft and then in the new year with our recruitment of players. We are truely laying the foundations for our next decade of dominance... Carn the mighty Dees

Just wanted to share this old article about Neil Craig that I had saved.

http://www.theage.co...9475064807.html

I've always thought a great deal of him as a coach and person.

We should all be very pleased to have him at the club (and I think we are).

Thanks for that, i was unaware he had played 330 SANFL Games, i thought he had played a handful only. His knowledge will be useful on many many differing levels.

Neil Craig Interview with Matty Burgan is on the MFC website. Neil is a class act!

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/video/tabid/8667/contentid/394304/default.aspx

I'm excited about what this football club is trying to do for us.

Good interview. Agreed Chook.

Thanks for that, i was unaware he had played 330 SANFL Games, i thought he had played a handful only. His knowledge will be useful on many many differing levels.

He was a very good player and his coaching reflects playing career. He wasn't a star, just a really hard worker who always put his head over the ball.

The Craig interview is outstanding imo. What he has to say about our Club, and the direction we are heading, fills me with enormous confidence about the future.

Thanks for the Neil Craig interview link simma02. Really impressive. And a great get by Melbournefc including Schwab and co. to win his services.

Big move too after so many years in Adelaide to bring his family over (@ 55), all the best to him and the FD. Such a move brings big challenges and I hope Neil and his family settle in well in Melbourne.

Thanks for the Neil Craig interview link simma02. Really impressive. And a great get by Melbournefc including Schwab and co. to win his services.

Big move too after so many years in Adelaide to bring his family over (@ 55), all the best to him and the FD. Such a move brings big challenges and I hope Neil and his family settle in well in Melbourne.

Nowadays HT that seems quite young

One of the few who seem to not have too much of an ego in the afl, or at least not let it affect him. Fantastic to have brought him in, as we let one of the other few, in Dean Bailey, go.

Sensational interview. I love the way both he and Neeld have made reference to the history of the club, and also the passion of those involved in the recruitment process. Cynics out there may suggest that it is orchestrated to portray a unified vision of the club, but I prefer to believe that they say it because it is true. I love the way he speaks about the opportunity to learn off Craig Bellamy and others around as well, because even though we follow the greatest football code there is, there is still lots that can be learned through sharing of information and ideas. Exciting times people

This is the best news we've had since 186...

I have barely posted since then, of at all... I've been so hurt, and unenthused. But this appointment outstrips the Neeld one for excitement, in my opinion.

Well done dees.