Barry Prendergast gone

[RudeBoy 164]

I wish Barry all the best. He was the one responsible for drafting Liam Jurrah, when clubs like Collingwood thought he was not capable of "bridging the cultural gap". He's a terrific bloke with a great football mind.

[Sir Why You Little 35,330]

Thanks BP for the work. Situation Vacant. Don't think it will take too long to fill the job.

[Hannibal 5,814]

There's lots and lots of speculation in this thread. All that is certain is that he says he wants to get back into coaching and that he's left recruiting. If he was content being a head recruiter, but just not at Melbourne, I suspect he would have looked for a head recruiting position at another club.

[stevethemanjordan 6,952]

Just like with most of the football department, we are re-building and trying to get the highest quality personnel for each job at the club.

Whilst Barry wasn't terrible in his recruiting, we also could have done a lot better.

Who knows whether or not he was asked to move on or he did infact resign.

I have full trust in Neeld and Craig.

[Nasher 33,246]

Just like with most of the football department, we are re-building and trying to get the highest quality personnel for each job at the club.

Whilst Barry wasn't terrible in his recruiting, we also could have done a lot better.

Who knows whether or not he was asked to move on or he did infact resign.

I have full trust in Neeld and Craig.

I like it how you've implied that he's gone in our quest for "the best", then followed it up with "who knows" in the very same post. 5 stars.

[stevethemanjordan 6,952]

I like it how you've implied that he's gone in our quest for "the best", then followed it up with "who knows" in the very same post. 5 stars.

Well actually Nashy, I was trying to remind others that Gary, Mark and Craig are striving to get this club to compete at the highest level in all areas. For every job. As they have said....

So keeping that in mind, one might find it interesting that Barry, (who has had the help of john Turnbull along the way) would 'quit' the club in January 2012.

No I'm not implying that he was moved on, but it's food for thought.

Do you have an opinion on the matter? Are you sad to see him go? Do you think we could find a better recruiter?

Edited January 15, 2012 by stevethemanjordan

[1 red eye 1 blue eye 762]

Thanks and good luck in your future endeavors BP.

[Bay Riffin 1,434]

I wish Barry all the best. He was the one responsible for drafting Liam Jurrah, when clubs like Collingwood thought he was not capable of "bridging the cultural gap". He's a terrific bloke with a great football mind.

Rudeboy, is that true? He was playing with Collingwood seconds and the pies put all the time and effort to getting him down through Rupert Butheras, but from memory he did not register for the draft that year. Subsequently he was given special permission to go in the pre-season draft where he was surely looking the most exciting prospect. He basically fell in our laps. Correct me if I am wrong.

I hate the pies, but surely they should have had him.

[Sir Why You Little 35,330]

I would bet that Mark Neeld will ring his old mate Mick Malthouse today or this week to discuss who is out there in recruiting we must target. Wells from the Cattery would be nice!! Any one else at the filth we can secure from over the fence?

Malthouse being in the football media and not coaching could be a huge help to Neeld this year as he learns all the nuances of coaching.

Paul Roos was interviewed on 774 this morning. Wow coaching at AFL level is a huge job. And i think we got a beauty.

[timD 994]

A lot better, Steve?

Back it up why don't you. A lot would be what - 20% better - 40% better? Lets go for 40%. So, go and do the homework. How may picks did he have in what drafts? Go and find 40% worth of improvements and then name the better recruiters. Let's face it, if Barry could have a done "A lot better" it is important that we all know how the club has been dudded. Such certainty steve must come with a wealth of data to back it up and I for one demand to know how Barry has so markedly failed. Given how certain you are, this will be a doddle for you. Why, I'm sure you already have all the data just waiting to go.

Go.

For the record, I thing he has done a good job overall. I wish we had a better midfield than we do. I think we have a lot of potential in forwards and backmen and our ruck stocks are good.

[DEELIGHTED 16]

Mitch Clarks dad signed a 6 figure deal to become head recruiter for the dees. No real surprises here........................

[Hiram Cowfreak 76]

If BP had picked Dustin Martin instead of $cummy I would be building a statue of him

[monoccular 16,687]

If BP had picked Dustin Martin instead of $cummy I would be building a statue of him

It is always great to have hindsight - but who knows, Martin may well have been targeted and bought off, and lied his way through last year?

And he may have had "such a poor sore knee" throughout 2011 too.

not saying that he would have, but ?????

And T$ may have had a stellar season at Ninthmond, with no knee problems at all??

Nobody knows.

[Guest Spirit of 39]

Rudeboy, is that true? He was playing with Collingwood seconds and the pies put all the time and effort to getting him down through Rupert Butheras, but from memory he did not register for the draft that year. Subsequently he was given special permission to go in the pre-season draft where he was surely looking the most exciting prospect. He basically fell in our laps. Correct me if I am wrong.

I hate the pies, but surely they should have had him.

Long time reader, first time poster. According to Liam's book Gavin Brown, who was the Collingwood 2's coach at the time, questioned whether Liam was up to it. North Melbourne brought him down to Melbourne for a run but he was not wanted there either. BP, at the behest of Flash, flew up to Darwin and watched Liam play. He showed faith in Liam's ability. The rest is history.

He did get special permission to enter the preseason draft after missing the main draft, Rupert being the main protagonist behind this.

Edited January 15, 2012 by Spirit of 39

[Nasher 33,246]

Do you have an opinion on the matter? Are you sad to see him go? Do you think we could find a better recruiter?

Knowing when you haven't got a clue is a skill.

I know I haven't got a clue if he was any good.

You know I haven't got a clue if he was any good.

I know you haven't got a clue if he was any good.

There's only one bit missing...

P.S. have a look at my post in the Neeld/Prendergast conspiracy thread if you can't work out what I'm talking about.

[Red&BlueBlood 61]

I think we should go after gubby Allan or Scott Clayton (gold coast), would have best knowledge on who wants to come home out of all the kids they have taken away from Vic...?

[Guest Spirit of 39]

Steve Wells has got to be due for a change of scenery? The club will get the best available. Of this you can be sure.

[Axis of Bob 10,502]

I know you haven't got a clue if he was any good.

There's only one bit missing...

A truly wise man knows himself to be a fool.

[DirtyDees DDC 171]

It may be unfair to praise or criticise BP for all of our draft choices since he became Recruiting Manager in 2008.

For example at least one of the recruiting team was very keen on picking Zaharakis instead of Strauss in the 2008 draft, but Bailey wanted a guy who could hit targets out of the backline. In hindsight Zaharakis would have been a better choice.

I read somewhere that Collingwood had two prerequisites when choosing their recruits; they must be big bodied (not necessarily big - someone like Beams or Sidebottom) and be able to kick the ball. They would probably not have recruited the skinnies in Cook or Gysberts or Fitzpatrick.

So for 3.9 years we've been looking for a certain type of player. Then within weeks of the draft the new coach advises the recruiting team to radically change their focus, and look for ready-made players who could be more competitive. Not only that, the new coach takes a more hands-on approach in selections. BP decides after 4 years to have a career change. 10 of of 10 to the Master for predicting these issues in November.

Was PB successful? It would have been a very brave football club to pick Martin and Trengove over Scully in the 2009 draft.

It's possible that of all of our 9 top 20 picks since 2008, only one or two might become A grade, and 2 or 3 might not play more than 50 games. That would be a bit disappointing, but I'm willing to give BP a pass mark if one of his lower picks becomes a star. That could just happen with one Jeremy Howe.

[Guest Spirit of 39]

The other question is this: Did MFC devote the resources to player development that other clubs were able to? In other words, would Morton, Strauss, Gysberts, Bennell, Blease, Watts, etc. be better players now if they were drafted by a Collingwood or Carlton? Due to our financial issues in the past, I think they probably would be.

Neeld, I hope, has steered this ship right.

[Carlos Danger 380]

I think we should go after gubby Allan or Scott Clayton (gold coast), would have best knowledge on who wants to come home out of all the kids they have taken away from Vic...?

Truth is both those guys are on some serious overs at their current clubs (courtesy of the AFL), matching those overs would be a deadset waste of money.

[My TD 156]

What's Nik Nats old man doing ?

[Ron Burgundy 8,584]

It may be unfair to praise or criticise BP for all of our draft choices since he became Recruiting Manager in 2008.

For example at least one of the recruiting team was very keen on picking Zaharakis instead of Strauss in the 2008 draft, but Bailey wanted a guy who could hit targets out of the backline. In hindsight Zaharakis would have been a better choice.

I read somewhere that Collingwood had two prerequisites when choosing their recruits; they must be big bodied (not necessarily big - someone like Beams or Sidebottom) and be able to kick the ball. They would probably not have recruited the skinnies in Cook or Gysberts or Fitzpatrick.

I don't think Neeld would have been particularly impressed with our selection of Cook at number 12, given our clear need for an aggressive, big bodied forward on our list. The reports I've read suggest that he's still a long way off playing in the seniors. If true, that's not good. Not remotely.

That the recruiting team (or at least some in it) preferred Zaharakis over Strauss is interesting - I'd always found Strauss to be a curious selection so high in that draft.

I wonder if Neeld/the club have already identified someone they'd prefer in the BP's (former) role. After all, the club's been a step ahead of the curve in recent times.

[Lutz 76]

I don't think Neeld would have been particularly impressed with our selection of Cook at number 12, given our clear need for an aggressive, big bodied forward on our list. The reports I've read suggest that he's still a long way off playing in the seniors. If true, that's not good. Not remotely.

That the recruiting team (or at least some in it) preferred Zaharakis over Strauss is interesting - I'd always found Strauss to be a curious selection so high in that draft.

I wonder if Neeld/the club have already identified someone they'd prefer in the BP's (former) role. After all, the club's been a step ahead of the curve in recent times.

Isn't that what you'd expect of most 18 year old tall KPPs?

Obviously Darling was available, but he's a mid-sized forward like Howe, Petterd or Jurrah.

[Arrow 1,257]

The other question is this: Did MFC devote the resources to player development that other clubs were able to? In other words, would Morton, Strauss, Gysberts, Bennell, Blease, Watts, etc. be better players now if they were drafted by a Collingwood or Carlton? Due to our financial issues in the past, I think they probably would be.

Neeld, I hope, has steered this ship right.

That's what I'm talking about.

100% think this is the case. But it also comes down to player leadership around the club also and I think it has also lacked in the last 5 years. Looking for better results this year!