24hrs inside the Melbourne Demons Den

[titan_uranus 24,630]

I think the point of this article isn't to show anyone that Melbourne is a league-leader in training or anything. It's to give fans an insight into a day of pre-season training, more than anything, and potentially is also to make a mockery of our previous regime. Misson mentioned we weren't fit or strong enough, and there were little snippets of bad play in there (e.g. Gysberts' centring kick).

[mollydee 22]

The opening sentence caught my attention. I genuinely don't know , but how many clubs would have their players arriving before 0730 ? Whether or not it is the norm , it certainly sends a message that the club means business.

[The Chazz 4,077]

Yep , we've got a long way to go and it looks like we've started on our journey . Unless you believe any effort is futile ?

If you can't see any innovation in how we are approaching our pre-season then you need to look up the meaning of innovation billy .

Again , a case of glass half full vs glass half empty .

Innovative for Melbourne? Yes.

Innovative in terms of being a league leader? Not really.

Just being a realist Macca. Just because I don't agree with you doesn't mean that it's a case being 1/2 full - 1/2 empty. You have your view, I have mine, play on.

[Hells Gates 505]

And on reflection, it appears this 'nothing special' is what our club wasn't doing. At least to the extent that it is now.

Yes, How did we let our club get so far behind the 8ball....

[Ron Burgundy 8,584]

Season 2011 was clearly the season we had to have. Probably getting ahead of myself here, but with Neeld, Craig, Misson and the coaching team they've now assembled, it feels like we are about to enter a period of sustained success.

[The Chazz 4,077]

The opening sentence caught my attention. I genuinely don't know , but how many clubs would have their players arriving before 0730 ? Whether or not it is the norm , it certainly sends a message that the club means business.

It is fairly common for teams to start training at 9:30am. That doesn't mean turn up at that time. If you want strapping, massage, etc, players would need to turn up at 7:30am to prepare for their day. I know Adelaide start training (that's not starting meetings) at 9:45am, and Carlton start at 9:30am.

We are finally doing what other Clubs have been doing.

[rpfc 28,052]

For me this was nothing special. It is only doing what every other club does. For those that enjoyed the article I am happy for you. Just another loud pump up the Dee's fans piece. At least we have a great Football department now and things are starting to head in the right direction.

Yes, but it gave you an insight into that 'right direction'...

We do this dance every pre-season: we laud the work put in and the ones in charge, we see bulk and mass and elite fitness that isn't there, and we poo-poo the excited visions of the future with easy platitudes about the fact this 'was all expected' and that 'nothing is won in December'...

Fans can enjoy news articles about their team doin the right things.

The End.

[Macca 16,631]

Innovative for Melbourne? Yes.

Innovative in terms of being a league leader? Not really.

Just being a realist Macca. Just because I don't agree with you doesn't mean that it's a case being 1/2 full - 1/2 empty. You have your view, I have mine, play on.

Well it looks like we actually agree billy - My point about innovation was in reference to Melbourne as well . We're certainly not a League leader in that area ( yet ! )

Cheers

[The Chazz 4,077]

Well it looks like we actually agree billy - My point about innovation was in reference to Melbourne as well . We're certainly not a League leader in that area ( yet ! )

Cheers

Kind of, it's just you did mention that you wondered how may other Clubs are doing things as well as us, and I'd imagine all Clubs (and most of their supporters) think they are doing things better than the rest.

Regardless, I think any improvement to this team will be exciting. I look at the games such as the Swans game in 2010, Adelaide in 2011, where the team played footy like I haven't seen for a long time. I appreciate that they are few and far between, but the thing to I hang on to is that fact that they can play that way, so any improvements in facilities, training methods, and generaly attitude around the Club can hopefully get us playing that brand more consistently.

[Macca 16,631]

Kind of, it's just you did mention that you wondered how may other Clubs are doing things as well as us, and I'd imagine all Clubs (and most of their supporters) think they are doing things better than the rest.

Well , if we accept that we haven't done things extra well in the past ( re pre-season ) then surely we aren't the only Club in this category .

So , maybe there are still some Clubs out there doing things in a more "old fashioned way" . Probably not many but any advantage will do in this caper .

My gut feeling is that we've caught up with a lot of other Clubs and gone past a few .

Edited December 19, 2011 by Macca

[La Dee-vina Comedia 16,648]

Yes, How did we let our club get so far behind the 8ball....

I understand what you're saying.

But the pedant in me needs to explore the expression. I understand about being behind the 8-ball. But I'm not sure about the "so far behind..." bit. Aren't you better off the further behind the 8-ball you are? Allows more angles.

[Hells Gates 505]

Yes, but it gave you an insight into that 'right direction'...

We do this dance every pre-season: we laud the work put in and the ones in charge, we see bulk and mass and elite fitness that isn't there, and we poo-poo the excited visions of the future with easy platitudes about the fact this 'was all expected' and that 'nothing is won in December'...

Fans can enjoy news articles about their team doin the right things.

The End.

Who didnt know the right direction? It just never happened.

And I didnt say fans couldnt enjoy the article. It just didnt do much for me as Ive been involved with football clubs all of my life. Im happy for the people that enjoyed it.

The end.

[Hells Gates 505]

I understand what you're saying.

But the pedant in me needs to explore the expression. I understand about being behind the 8-ball. But I'm not sure about the "so far behind..." bit. Aren't you better off the further behind the 8-ball you are? Allows more angles.

Well if you understood what I was saying then why write a reply?

As for allowing more angles...Only you know the answer to that one. I wouldve thought that being further behind would take longer to catch up? But I dont know anything about 8ball. Maybe Jack Halligan could take the boys for training?

[Nascent 8,646]

enjoyable read during a barren summer... unsure why players (and fitness instuctors for that manner) waste time on bicep curls though.

[rpfc 28,052]

Who didnt know the right direction? It just never happened.

And I didnt say fans couldnt enjoy the article. It just didnt do much for me as Ive been involved with football clubs all of my life. Im happy for the people that enjoyed it.

The end.

Yes, but you did say, on a patronising tone that made rpfc proud, "for those that enjoyed the article I am happy for you."

Hipster Hell Gates to Demonland - It's cute that you liked that meaningless, pointless article.

And I am having fun with you - I would use an emoticon, but I don't use emoticons.

[Pennant St Dee 12,696]

The article was a great insight, 12 months ago we thought we were on the up because we had a talented young list and things had looked promising at the end of 2010. What Neeld is instilling is hard work is what is required to get this list to become a regular contender. Don't underestimate what a difference these small changes will make, we will no longer be pushed around and we will become a team that is very hard to beat. We will also see reputations count for nothing and a team who leaves nothing out on the ground.

This paragraph caught my eye as to what to expect under Neeld and where we are headed.

But then the conversation turns to two other potential recruits. One has superior endurance and skill, but the other is harder and tougher.

Neeld interrupts. His verdict offers the clearest insight yet into where he wants to take this club.

"Eighty thousand people, Queen's Birthday, Collingwood, Dane Swan belting the s--- out of us, who are you backing when the heat is on in the middle of the ground?" he demands.

The answers are fudgy so Neeld interrupts again: "I'm going with the grunt."

He has his eyes on the big picture and what is required, I am optimistic that we will see a side similar to what we had under Northey. I don't expect us to be contenders next season, I expect us to push for the 8 and see an end to eratic performances and beltings. I am confident as I have said in many forums before that we are heading in he right direction

Go Dees!

[Hells Gates 505]

Yes, but you did say, on a patronising tone that made rpfc proud, "for those that enjoyed the article I am happy for you."

Hipster Hell Gates to Demonland - It's cute that you liked that meaningless, pointless article.

And I am having fun with you - I would use an emoticon, but I don't use emoticons.

I see it all! At least we are on the same page. Its great to see Neil Craig has been hired to throw footballs at players. Im very happy about that too...Hipster style!

[pitmaster 3,446]

Sensory Masturbation?

what other kind is there?

[Josh 1,420]

I keep hearing Matty Bate's name, he is looking fit and involved, starting to believe the hype about seeing him in the midfield next year, good luck to him

[Hells Gates 505]

With the best draw in the league next year plus playing GC and GWS we should get a few more wins than what people think.

....Unless the players get burnout....

[hoopla 418]

For me this was nothing special. It is only doing what every other club does. For those that enjoyed the article I am happy for you. Just another loud pump up the Dee's fans piece. At least we have a great Football department now and things are starting to head in the right direction.

The article was about "change" .... and to that extent it was interesting - surely?

A lot of it may have been about the softness of our previous regime - or simply about the exponential development of the game as a whole - but it was interesting to read about the "all or nothing" approach of our new coaching panel.

I have no doubt that all the other clubs have lifted the bar as well - but I wonder whether they are experiencing quite the same cultural change as we are.

[daisycutter 29,339]

Sensory Masturbation?

what other kind is there?

the non-sensory variant obviously

Edited December 19, 2011 by daisycutter

[dee-luded 2,959]

Nice of you to put all that liked the article into one big category RP ! I didn't view it that way at all .

I simply saw the article as our Team doing a pre-season in a way more professional manner . Most probably miles in front of anything we've done in the past and possibly better than some other Clubs are doing right now .

Glass Half Full, or glass Half Empty?

I think it's encouraging to see we're now stepping Up, after not being able to win games as this would have 'Hanstrung' our rebuild.

#(Pity thats what it took) Not the fault of the system but our own poor judgement to allow our List to become so ramshakle in the first place, years back. Very poor off field management.

Anyway, we are now ON for Wins,,, as our kids grow.

So it is nice to see we (Our Club) is now into the professionalism of the elite end of sport management.

No amount of 'cold water putting', will hose down those who want to Get Ahead of themselves and the program. It'll take time. How much? as much as is necessary.

[Sir Why You Little 36,662]

True. I still have this part of me that believes Bailey thought that way, about trying to plan for a certain game style (different to the "normal"), so that when we were a realistic chance of winning a flag, that we would have that edge, but just didn't have as much in place as what Neeld does.

You could well be right. I still think Bailey is a very smart man. He just couldn't get his list big enough or fit enough to implement it.

This 2011/12 preseason will be the quantum leap where the list is bought out of the dark ages. Each summer from next year on will top up and learn strategic edge systems.

[dee-luded 2,959]

Other than the exercise in sensory masturbation for some was the important note Neil Craig made regarding the age of "equalisation" among the clubs and finding the competitive advantage.

The attention to detail by those in charge is now more important than ever in the quest for a flag.

For me, that's just as important as is having quality within the midfield. The discussion of rookie prospects and "grunt" wanted by Neeld is a good insight. Even though it was brief.

Nice, HT, admiring your imaginary reflection on your shiny LCD screen as you type one handed, cute denigrations into your highfalutin posts again.