24hrs inside the Melbourne Demons Den

[H_T 3,049]

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

Nevermind the content of my post, dee-luded.

[old dee 24,000]

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!

My thoughts exactly PSD.

A good summation.

"I am going with the Grunt"

What wonderful words.

Roll on 2012

[Outside fifty 967]

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

When did we recruit this chap"Grunt"?

He sounds like a mature age rookie but I'm not sure.

Actually the more I think about it Grunt would be a perfect nickname for Magner.

"GGGRRRUUNT".

Edited December 19, 2011 by Outside fifty

[Macca 17,113]

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.

Agree with nearly all you've said .

My only reservation is about some other Clubs . I can't imagine Port and GW$ doing things as well as us . Perhaps they are "Behind the 8-ball" , I do like the idea of having an "edge" on other Teams . It all helps to add to the Wins column .

We've picked up Neeld and Brown from the Pies ( are Collingwood the leaders with innovation , progressive thinking and professionalism ? ) along with Misson and Craig and a new look FD . In some ways you'd be disappointed if we didn't become one of the leading Teams in those areas that I mentioned . Neeld strikes me as always wanting to improve on things even if others might be thinking that things are ok .

We've put the people into place , now it's time to deliver .

Edited December 19, 2011 by Macca

[pitmaster 3,589]

the non-sensory variant obviously

so, errrr, what would be the point?

[daisycutter 29,892]

so, errrr, what would be the point?

beats me, (pardon the pun)

[H_T 3,049]

so, errrr, what would be the point?

Exactly, none.

[Sir Why You Little 37,302]

beats me, (pardon the pun)

Stop this Tool talk please!!!!

[bing181 9,421]

Hard to see the negatives in a well-written and decent "behind the scenes" look at what's going on and changing at the club.

It's clear from the article, but also from what we've seen going on with the FD recruiting, the club are not content to just do "what other clubs do" off-field, they really do want to be the leaders.

[Sir Why You Little 37,302]

Hard to see the negatives in a well-written and decent "behind the scenes" look at what's going on and changing at the club.

It's clear from the article, but also from what we've seen going on with the FD recruiting, the club are not content to just do "what other clubs do" off-field, they really do want to be the leaders.

Can't wait for the Smithy statue to be standing proud outside the MCG. Where all future players should be welcomed and given their first jumper.

[Buzzy 992]

Not sure if it's the camera angle or not, but based on this picture: http://www.heraldsun...5162185?page=10, Bate and McKenzie look HUGE in the upper body.

Very good read. I hope the players continue to embrace the new regime as it sounds like it could well lead us up the ladder.

It's just the angle, Mckenzie's legs and arms actually looked quite skinny at training today... Bate is big though.

[Range Rover 1,935]

For me the best part of the article came in this quote from Neeld ..

"We have got a lot of offensive talent and we have got them young," Neeld says. "They are being flogged ... we are quite aware we could find the tipping point with some of these kids, but we believe in a year or two they'll be better for it."

I take that to mean that he's prepared to have a few fall along the wayside in the interests of raising the overall mental resilience of the group. That's ballsy because he's readily prepared to ditch 'talented' players who don't have the stomach for the fight. It's a new ethos.

Edited December 19, 2011 by Range Rover

[Late Draft Pick 48]

that's funny because I liked that quote but instead of reading that they were going to ditch talented players I read it that these talented players with all this offensive talent were going to be better for it in a year or two.

[biggestred 5,237]

i read that quote as "we will push them until they break and they will be better for it"

[Curry & Beer 5,444]

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.

firstly, how do you know what every other club is doing? Secondly, if you go from being behind to being even, how is that not something special? Remember we took the premiers right to the line twice with a younger side than we have now, who were apparently operating under substandard conditions. Somewhat special if you ask me

[Grandson of a gun 276]

For me the best part of the article came in this quote from Neeld ..

"We have got a lot of offensive talent and we have got them young," Neeld says. "They are being flogged ... we are quite aware we could find the tipping point with some of these kids, but we believe in a year or two they'll be better for it."

I take to mean that he's prepared to have a few fall along the wayside in the interests of raising the overall mental resilience of the group. That's ballsy because he's readily prepared to ditch 'talented' players who don't have the stomach for the fight. It's a new ethos.

I don't believe it was meant in the tone of "ditching talented players", rather that a few might get injured now, or struggle now, or burn out quicker this year, but in the long run they'll be better for it because they will have built up their base and resilience.

[Little Goffy 14,750]

We may not get the constant stream of coverage like some clubs, but there's no denying that these last few years we've been well served by the feature article aspect.

Obviously Flanagan a big part of that, but presumably the club knows the value in not only giving journos a bit of a 'special' to build a relationship, but also to give supporters a genuine picture of what the club actually does all day!

Good stuff. I enjoyed the read and I'm glad we're getting these things out there.

[Curry & Beer 5,444]

thats how I read it too. We should probably expect a bunch of injuries and players being rested, possibly a bit of a fade out towards the end of the year. You cant make an omlette...

[Good Times Grimes 2,396]

It's just the angle, Mckenzie's legs and arms actually looked quite skinny at training today... Bate is big though.

A little disappointing, but he's not really one to be concerned about as he's already tough as nails. Thanks for clarifying.

[pitmaster 3,589]

For me the best part of the article came in this quote from Neeld ..

"We have got a lot of offensive talent and we have got them young," Neeld says. "They are being flogged ... we are quite aware we could find the tipping point with some of these kids, but we believe in a year or two they'll be better for it."

I take that to mean that he's prepared to have a few fall along the wayside in the interests of raising the overall mental resilience of the group. That's ballsy because he's readily prepared to ditch 'talented' players who don't have the stomach for the fight. It's a new ethos.

II

I read it as suggesting that this preseason might be too much for some in the short term, but it will give them the grounding the need for a couple of seasons down the track.

If anything it suggests that the stronger bodied mature types we have drafted this year and through the rookie system are shorter term solutions. In other words, Neeld wants to be competitive from the get-go and is also possibly expecting these older draftings to show the kids how to compete. I see it as a clear step up from Bail's easy as she goes approach, but not threatening to wreck anyone.

[monoccular 17,642]

I read the tipping point reference as there may well be some who decide, or that the coaching group decide at year's end aren't right for us going forward in several ways.

He will know certainly by then who is "soft" and who has the heart for the battles ahead. Some who have been retained partly for list management purposes will have a chance to show if they have what it takes or not,mane some of these if they have the heart may surprise.

Every year is a "tipping point" for some: I suspect that unless a few 'fringe' players really step up and enjoy the new hardness, there will be more than the usual number of delistings to take advantage of some good picks in what is reputed to be a "strong" draft.

[H_T 3,049]

i read that quote as "we will push them until they break and they will be better for it"

Agree, Benno. We will test their resolve ("we could find the tipping point") . Not necessarily about ditching.

[rpfc 28,900]

Sensory Masturbation?

what other kind is there?

Meant to write 'extra-sensory masturbation'...

Anyway...

Tipping points and Grunt.