We don't know what has been said behind closed doors. There would have been expectations laid out by the match committee and Sam has failed to meet them in this case. Seems a bit rough and there may be more to it, but whatever it is I think it's good that we aren't putting up with mediocrity any more.

Has nobody ever been late to work due to factors beyond their control? From the information we have been given, he was simply late to a morning meeting. This happens, hardly a fineable offence

I have heard it mentioned that 'His preparation was improvised' meaning it was probably his most important meeting of the week. Understandable to miss the game for this reason, but not a fine.

The word used was "compromised".

"By missing this meeting Sam has compromised his preparation for this weekend’s game, and therefore won’t be available for selection this week"

The importance is irrelevant. If it's part of his required preparation and presence at the club, it's part of his required preparation and presence at the club. Sam showed in the last game last year that he needed to get his head around what's needed at the highest level. Rising Star one week, subbed off the next. Still has some work to do it would seem - hope he gets there, shows a lot of potential.

It is about developing a set standard and the discipline to meet it, the discipline to be ta a meeting with then be translated onto the field. The discipline to follow the game plan, coaches instructions, to do the one percents, to do the unrewarded team efforts, etc etc

The club has finally stated what they expect to be part of our great club.

Sam will be fine and he wont be late again. We don't know the specific circumstance of his lateness, but I would have been more than simply being a little late, for example.

ill be spewinh if it happens in the main.season

Same because it would mean he is missed another compulsory team meeting

Accidents happen. Im always early to work but this morning found out that my girlfriend had unpluged my phone charger to use her hair dryer. as such my phone battery died and my alarm didnt go off. I very late. [censored] happens. im annoyed that we dont get to see him this week. ill be spewinh if it happens in the main.season

Yep i could just see Neeld accepting that excuse. Just like the dog ate my homework.

Tough [censored]. It is your job to be there on time. Take measures to ensure you never miss an alarm, or get up in time or allow enough travel time.

It's called being professional.

Has nobody ever been late to work due to factors beyond their control? From the information we have been given, he was simply late to a morning meeting. This happens, hardly a fineable offence

Hmmm, from the information that we have been given from the MFC site

"Blease missed a compulsory meeting on Tuesday morning after arriving late at the Club.

How do you get "simply late" from this??

You must be an exceptional individual.

Not at all but when I started my apprenticeship 33 years ago my boss explained very clearly to me that if I was a minute late he would dock me an hour. It made an impression then which I have carried through life. The boss was an A-hole but he taught me a valuable lesson about what was expected. I was never late after that.

Go Dees

Has nobody ever been late to work due to factors beyond their control? From the information we have been given, he was simply late to a morning meeting. This happens, hardly a fineable offence

I was half an hour late once when some idiot rammed my car at an intersection. I'd call that a factor beyond my control.

I actually think this is a pretty decent call by the PTB. It's not a massive sanction to miss a game of sillyball in the first week of NAB cup, but it sends a clear message to the players that there is going to be a hard line taken on discipline.

Has nobody ever been late to work due to factors beyond their control? From the information we have been given, he was simply late to a morning meeting. This happens, hardly a fineable offence

I have heard it mentioned that 'His preparation was improvised' meaning it was probably his most important meeting of the week. Understandable to miss the game for this reason, but not a fine.

It sounds like all other players could get there. I am assuming he did not have a decent excuse and it sounds like he missed the meeting not just got there slightly late. Was really looking forward to seeing Sammy play but completely agree with the stance.

Pretty tough but culture changing.

I was half an hour late once when some idiot rammed my car at an intersection. I'd call that a factor beyond my control.

I actually think this is a pretty decent call by the PTB. It's not a massive sanction to miss a game of sillyball in the first week of NAB cup, but it sends a clear message to the players that there is going to be a hard line taken on discipline.

Agree

Same because it would mean he is missed another compulsory team meeting

I didn't mean Sam in particular. If any players miss a game because they are late in the main season I will be pee offed big time.

Yep i could just see Neeld accepting that excuse. Just like the dog ate my homework.

Tough [censored]. It is your job to be there on time. Take measures to ensure you never miss an alarm, or get up in time or allow enough travel time.

It's called being professional.

I didn't use it as a excuse. It was what happened. I haven't been late in the 5 years I've been at my job. I called my boss as soon as I can and let him know I would be late. He didn't even ask why because he knew that if I was genuinely late I would have a good reason.

I doubt very much that Neeld suspended Sam without listening to why he was late. He obviously determined that it was not good enough or that Sam has a bad track record on timing. Good on him.

If the policy is a suspension no matter what the excuse then I would be a little worried. What if we make round 1 of the finals and a truck crashes and Brent Moloney gets stuck in traffic? Would you suspend him for the final?

Would you say to Brent 'Tough [censored]. It is your job to be there on time. Take measures to ensure you never miss an alarm, or get up in time or allow enough travel time.'

Good call.

This sends a message to the entire team, that part of being "professional" means being punctual, as well.

It should also send a very positive message to us long suffering followers, that this team (well at least the management) plans to deliver.

I find it strange some posters here seem to be making excuses for him as though he was just some kid still learning his trade in the junior leagues.

He's playing football at the highest level. That requires discipline and planning.

Failure or "we tried" is no longer an option

The nitty gritty of what he has done is inconsequential but it is heartening to see some discipline is happening at the club.

Excellent decision

Maybe Neeld has read The Red Fox after all

You must be an exceptional individual.

Yes, there are a lot of PERFECT individuals on this forum! On the eve of a GF and Chapman arrives late for a compulsory meeting.

"Sorry, Chappy, but you are out of the Grand Final!"

Great way of getting players offside.

Yes, there are a lot of PERFECT individuals on this forum! On the eve of a GF and Chapman arrives late for a compulsary meeting. " Sorry, Chappy, but you are out of the Grand Final!" Great way of getting players offside.

But this is the NAB CUP....so it is the right thing to do....Set a Standard.

Rudi Guillaini cleaned up New York with ZERO TOLERANCE. He was berated by the bleeding hearts for his tough stand but the results are there for all to see.

Is Mark Neeld our Rudi?

ZERO TOLERANCE, guys - get used to it.

Pity - I was looking forward to seeing Sam in his new forward role, but I expect he is a lot more disappointed than any of us here. Let it hurt, then learn from it.

Actually , Rudi took credit for what was a quirk of free contraception and legal abortion in NYC during the 70's that resulted in less unwanted kids and less crime.

The "broken window" policy and ZT policy lead to a huge prison system .What the world needs is population control-and an alarm clock for Sammy .

Yes, there are a lot of PERFECT individuals on this forum! On the eve of a GF and Chapman arrives late for a compulsary meeting. " Sorry, Chappy, but you are out of the Grand Final!" Great way of getting players offside.

Turning up late to your job is a great way of getting your coach offside...

Let's not forget who is the dog and who is the tail.

naughty ranga, naughty

naughty ranga, naughty

Bater will be breathing a sigh of relief that there's a new ranga to pick on .

I hope he just missed the meeting and that's it. I was listening to Cam mooney on radio and he thinks there could be a bit more to it he said things like this happened down at Geelong in his early days and their punishment for something as minor as this was a swim down at geelong beach at 6 in the morning.

Yes, there are a lot of PERFECT individuals on this forum! On the eve of a GF and Chapman arrives late for a compulsary meeting. " Sorry, Chappy, but you are out of the Grand Final!" Great way of getting players offside.

Yeah, we saw where "keeping the players happy" got us last year. Maybe you'd rather we brought back Bailey?

Sam isn't being criticised here for not being perfect, he's being criticised for not doing what the team and club required of him. Discipline, structure, and doing what you're supposed to starts off the field.

Sam only has him self to blame. Neeld made it clear to all that he expected "an elite work ethic and elite compliance"

Is this the melbourne football club. This is great to see. No more im so sorry dean ohhh thats ok sammy its not your fault. Mark neeld is setting the standard that is going to bring out the best for this club. an elite work ethic and elite compliance . Im a big sammy fan but there is no execuse when your a pro afl player.on the eve of your first game for the year