Just wanting to put it out there after noticing around the place that Neeld seems to have been the preferred successor to Malthouse at Collingwood by many Filth fans.

And not without some evidence over the last two weeks either. Collingwood's midfield play was broken down after a while both weeks, and a few players struggled to get into both games. While Pendlebury was fantastic both vs the Hawks and today, many of the others weren't.

- Swan - Great against the Hawks but genuinely struggled today.

- Wellingham - Anonymous for both

- Toovey - Barely noticeable

- Thomas - Took til the 3rd Qtr today to get going after being awful against Hawthorn

- Ball - Played well against Hawks but not overly noticeable today

- Blair - anonymous

- Johnson - lots of touches today, lots of clangers though

Would the issues these players were having have been picked up on by Neeld and adjusted, where they weren't because there wasn't a midfield-watching coach?

I think it was more that Geelong didn't let Collingwood Play to their strengths...The Filth tried everything, and ultimately cracked as the Catters pulled away.

A Classic G.F. I hope all players on our list watch it with Mark Neeld...Talk it all through....& then hit the track for summer.

I think it was more that Geelong didn't let Collingwood Play to their strengths...The Filth tried everything, and ultimately cracked as the Catters pulled away.

A Classic G.F. I hope all players on our list watch it with Mark Neeld...Talk it all through....& then hit the track for summer.

Well said WYL. That was a dead-set classic GF up until the last. The Cats then managed to break the Pies, but up until then it was an enthralling contest. I can't stand either of those sides, but it was a wonderful display of football.

Just wanting to put it out there after noticing around the place that Neeld seems to have been the preferred successor to Malthouse at Collingwood by many Filth fans.

And not without some evidence over the last two weeks either. Collingwood's midfield play was broken down after a while both weeks, and a few players struggled to get into both games. While Pendlebury was fantastic both vs the Hawks and today, many of the others weren't.

- Swan - Great against the Hawks but genuinely struggled today.

- Wellingham - Anonymous for both

- Toovey - Barely noticeable

- Thomas - Took til the 3rd Qtr today to get going after being awful against Hawthorn

- Ball - Played well against Hawks but not overly noticeable today

- Blair - anonymous

- Johnson - lots of touches today, lots of clangers though

Would the issues these players were having have been picked up on by Neeld and adjusted, where they weren't because there wasn't a midfield-watching coach?

i would have thought that after a few years with his line, the players would know what is expected. They don't need Neeld there to hold their hands. They were just beaten by a better side, which also beat them twice during the year with Neeld.

Well said WYL. That was a dead-set classic GF up until the last. The Cats then managed to break the Pies, but up until then it was an enthralling contest. I can't stand either of those sides, but it was a wonderful display of football.

I agree, but I can only bring myself to say it now that I know that it ended with a loss to the Filth.

I think it was more that Geelong didn't let Collingwood Play to their strengths...The Filth tried everything, and ultimately cracked as the Catters pulled away.

A Classic G.F. I hope all players on our list watch it with Mark Neeld...Talk it all through....& then hit the track for summer.

Agree wyl. A great game to watch, and an excellent 'benchmark' for where our boys need to get to if we are to be seriously competitive in this competition. Clearly we have a very long way to go.

i would have thought that after a few years with his line, the players would know what is expected. They don't need Neeld there to hold their hands. They were just beaten by a better side, which also beat them twice during the year with Neeld.

Exactly. If Neeld was the answer, why didn't they beat the cats in the two H&A games this season. If I was the OP I'd try to temper my optimism with a little realism. Mark Neeld isn't going to be an instant fix for us. The MFC "culture" is a poisonous one of inconsistency and has been for over a decade now. Unfortunately our up and coming crop have all now been indoctrinated in it so it will take a huge shift in direction for us to become a genuine finals threat, let alone top 4 or flag contender. I hope Neeld is some sort of messiah that many on here are thinking he is, but ultimately its those 22 blokes running around on the ground in red and blue that will determine our success or failure, not the head coach.

Just wanting to put it out there after noticing around the place that Neeld seems to have been the preferred successor to Malthouse at Collingwood by many Filth fans.

Would the issues these players were having have been picked up on by Neeld and adjusted, where they weren't because there wasn't a midfield-watching coach?

Use "many filth fans" as a source is as sound as using Big Footy.

And its naive to think that Collingwood did not have someone in Neeld's role when he left.

I am glad the Pies lost and if Neeld's departure did actually have something to do with it then great.

Use "many filth fans" as a source is as sound as using Big Footy.

And its naive to think that Collingwood did not have someone in Neeld's role when he left.

I am glad the Pies lost and if Neeld's departure did actually have something to do with it then great.

Also the Cats won without Sanderson. Then again someone had to win and the argument would then be raised.

Also the Cats won without Sanderson. Then again someone had to win and the argument would then be raised.

Maybe the Cats were less needy of Sandeson on the day as compared the Pies on Neeld ?

Maybe the Cats were less needy of Sandeson on the day as compared the Pies on Neeld ?

This is what I was thinking and in particular targeted individual midfield performance over the last two games, rather than just yesterday. Collingwood barely got away with the prelim, and with the exception of Pendlebury their midfield did have at least one average game.

Whether it was wishful thinking or coincidence but the Pies seemmed less potent agaisnt the Hawkers as well.. Just seemed to lack some 2nd and 3rd heavy efforets. Now its the players that play...but the coach who kicks you up the butt !!

My main observation was that their forward press wasn't as good as what we have known it to be in the past. Injuries & fatigue I think took there toll. It's a taxing game style on all players.

The growing themes for the 'response to the press' have been

1) Precision kicking to annul the pressure on the ball-carrier/holder.

2) Win the clearances, win the clearances, win the clearances.

If you are winning the clearances, whether from around the ground or in the centre, it forces the 'pressing' team to run hard up and down the ground, which eventually exhausts them.

Bartel winning the Norm Smith was a synopsis of the game, though I think Lonergan's effort to nullify Cloke in the second half was one of the great defensive efforts and without that Geelong wouldn't have got the chocolates.

The growing themes for the 'response to the press' have been

1) Precision kicking to annul the pressure on the ball-carrier/holder.

2) Win the clearances, win the clearances, win the clearances.

If you are winning the clearances, whether from around the ground or in the centre, it forces the 'pressing' team to run hard up and down the ground, which eventually exhausts them.

Bartel winning the Norm Smith was a synopsis of the game, though I think Lonergan's effort to nullify Cloke in the second half was one of the great defensive efforts and without that Geelong wouldn't have got the chocolates.

Cloke is highly overated in my opinion although he has improved in the last couple of years. Loves to take marks up around the wing area. I must admit his kicking for goal was good early though. For a guy of his size though I think he is a bit soft. Loves playing on the Joel Mcdonald size of opponents . Commentators go into raptures over him though Baby Huey (Tom Hawkins) is a much better prospect if he could kick straight for goal.