At the end of the day, I couldn't give a toss who coaches, I just hope the players do the right thing and listen and act.

We could have Malthouse, Thompson or even the Red Fox, it wouldn't matter a stuff who it was, if the players decide to put in an effort that was seen during 186, the coach would have no chance.

I'm in Harcourt's boat - I'm definitely not sold, but I'm not unsold.

I was sold on Daniher as soon as we stepped out of the blocks in 1998 after such a dismal '97.

I think Neeld will do well, but I'll wait to see a few more games before I'm 'sold'.

I remember walking away from the B&F night when Bailey was first appointed thinking this guy will be great has the hard edge and if I was a player he was going to get the best out of me. 4 years on Mark Neeld is making the right noises but our playing group needs to respond to him.

I was the reverse; after three years I was off ND (not sure I was ever on; I can't remember back that far).

After the GF you were off him? A PF and a GF in his first 3 years after being on the bottom was all we could ask for. 4 finals appearance in 7 years while not great wasn't bad either.

I don't know why he's copped more flak over the years than 2 of argubly of the worst coaches of the modern era in Balme and Bailey?

On Neeld, if we can hold on to Bailey for 4 years when he should have been sacked after 2 games, the least we should do is give Neeld 3 years before worrying about if he is the right man for the job or not.

Hope he got a good price for you Dr. and I hope you have found a happy home.

I have dreams of being sold to Jessica Alba for various reasons.

I'm not. And I don't anticipate being sold until the end of the year, maybe halfway through next.

what a ridiculous thread, we've had 1 set of games where you couldn't tell anything, a good win and an embarrassing loss. settle down and let the season unfold

Daniher sold me as soon as we performed well in his first season at the helm, and still remains our best coach in decades. He took us to numerous finals series and a Grand Final. People always refer to the Daniher era negatively, and while we didn't win a flag, we were still a good side and should remember it more fondly considering where we are currently.

Bailey was a failure all round. He was told to do a job and rebuild, and he tried to do that. It seems we didn't develop the players in his time like we should have though looking over our list.

Neeld has done nothing yet. If he can get more out of our list, then he's sold me. Until then I will support him because he is our coach, but he hasn't done anything yet to convince me, and admittedly hasn't had the chance to yet. Let's wait and see him coach a few AFL games before we are sold!

I was the reverse; after three years I was off ND (not sure I was ever on; I can't remember back that far).

At the end of three years ND's boys were playing off for the premiership. (also 1998 prelim)

After the GF you were off him?

Yes.

I thought ND was abysmal at making obvious player switches when required. Far too many times I'd see him making the move in the last quarter that [i thought] needed to be called after a quarter. Of course, ND could have been amazing at devising training routines, motivating the boys, writing on the whiteboard or whatever, but I wasn't in the inner sanctum so I only judged him on the stuff I saw.

(In a similar vein, I reckon it's extremely hard for supporters to nominate who should be Captain, because we don't see all the stuff that occurs outside of the few hours each week).

I dont know what it is but I'm already fully "sold" on our new coach. I know we haven't really played a game in anger yet but I've really, really warmed to his approach.

I must confess Daniher took me 3-4 years, Bailey I struggled with - but supported thru loyalty to the red & the blue.

I cant put my finger on it but I'm on board. Hope you are too.

I was onboard from the start. the way it should be with a New aspirant.

I'll be onboard til I think he's No good.... But Now I think he 's doing his Job Well.

I was the reverse; after three years I was off ND (not sure I was ever on; I can't remember back that far).

You were quicker than me.

I took me till 2004ish to Jump Off the Coaching structure at that time. I blamed Danners, but on reflection it was probably the lack of resources for the footy dpt & the personnel. We got it All wrong back then...

After the GF you were off him? A PF and a GF in his first 3 years after being on the bottom was all we could ask for. 4 finals appearance in 7 years while not great wasn't bad either.

I don't know why he's copped more flak over the years than 2 of argubly of the worst coaches of the modern era in Balme and Bailey?

On Neeld, if we can hold on to Bailey for 4 years when he should have been sacked after 2 games, the least we should do is give Neeld 3 years before worrying about if he is the right man for the job or not.

Think back to the early 00'ies 2001/2002 & on. Up, Down Up, Down, then after 2006/7 The end & we had to sweep the Cupboards & Lockers out. We've been going thru a Clean Up & an after fire Insurance rebuild since that time of our club...

It's not just Matchday & Draft Day, It's Much, Much, More....

You were quicker than me.

I took me till 2004ish to Jump Off the Coaching structure at that time. I blamed Danners, but on reflection it was probably the lack of resources for the footy dpt & the personnel. We got it All wrong back then...

versus!

I dont know what it is but I'm already fully "sold" on our new coach. I know we haven't really played a game in anger yet but I've really, really warmed to his approach. I must confess Daniher took me 3-4 years, Bailey I struggled with - but supported thru loyalty to the red & the blue. I cant put my finger on it but I'm on board. Hope you are too.

its way too early but i was disapointed with the weekends result.

The one thing i was hoping Neeld would do (that bailey couldnt) is motivate the players to lift when the chips were down. To get the guys to stand up for each other and the club rather than roll over when things got tough. Basically to lift the desire to a point where we would loose honourably ratehr than get pants'd.

He talks the talk though.......

His Presser aftter last saturdays rubbish was excellent.

It's too early to be sold yet, but i am glad he got the job.

Round 2 will be a great learner for Mark. The first hostile one of many.

Mark my words. If Melbourne doesn't become one of the most successful teams in the competition during Mark Neeld's tenure, it will mean there is something seriously wrong with the basic fabric of the club - something that no coach can fix. I have the ultimate faith in Neeld, and have done for a long time. I was absolutely pumped when I heard we'd picked him up.

Edited March 14, 201213 yr by Chook

Still a young team, still expect some disappointing results, some regrouping after the odd ar&e kicking and hopefully ...eventually we will have a steely football team that knows what is required, that knows that there are no short-cuts, that anything less than full committment will get you pantsed...because they have been there.

This is my prayer. Amen.

I think Neeld is certainly purporting to be exactly what the club needs at this time, we shall see.

Edited March 14, 201213 yr by dandeeman

I'll be sold on the first coach who extinguishes forever the "I need a rocket in the media in order to fire up" mental fragility of MFC players, and replaces it with a permanent, battle hardened mindset which propels them to give 100% every week, whether they are playing Sydney away or Collingwood at the G.

We'll know if Neeld just might be that man by about round 12 I reckon.

I'll be sold on the first coach who extinguishes forever the "I need a rocket in the media in order to fire up" mental fragility of MFC players, and replaces it with a permanent, battle hardened mindset which propels them to give 100% every week, whether they are playing Sydney away or Collingwood at the G.

We'll know if Neeld just might be that man by about round 12 I reckon.

Honestly? I don't think Neeld has fired the first shot by media, but more by team selection.........

Honestly? I don't think Neeld has fired the first shot by media, but more by team selection.........

I think you misunderstand me Doc.M. What I mean is, we have a track record as a club of needing a couple of humiliating floggings and subsequent media blowtorch in order to put a rocket under the place. Predictably, the players come out all guns blazing and either win or put up a great show, only to get flogged the following week in a cyclical display mental snakes and ladders.

Neeld's first job is to end this nonsense.

He's not quoted in this article just posted on the MFC website. But the attitude coming through as expressed by Neil Craig shows a real change in the mindset of the coaching staff.

Might just be a few more baby steps - but says a lot :

http://www.melbourne...07/default.aspx

Edited March 14, 201213 yr by BangkokDemon

I think you misunderstand me Doc.M. What I mean is, we have a track record as a club of needing a couple of humiliating floggings and subsequent media blowtorch in order to put a rocket under the place. Predictably, the players come out all guns blazing and either win or put up a great show, only to get flogged the following week in a cyclical display mental snakes and ladders.

Neeld's first job is to end this nonsense.

Yep.

I agree. If they win next week, why SHOULDN'T this team be the R1 team, without any #1 picks, regardless of how they did at VFL level?

If the players need that media blowtorch, how committed are they, really?

Mark my words. If Melbourne doesn't become one of the most successful teams in the competition during Mark Neeld's tenure, it will mean there is something seriously wrong with the basic fabric of the club - something that no coach can fix. I have the ultimate faith in Neeld, and have done for a long time. I was absolutely pumped when I heard we'd picked him up.

There is, & has been for a Long Room Time.

We are IMO Too pleasant to be Ruthless. Too politically correct to call a spade a spade. Too balanced to be Hungry. Too afraid to do what it takes to Win in the Law of the Jungle. We thrive in suits, but overalls scare the Hell out of too Many....

Hunger! Passion! Desire! These things are what make footy supporters Nuts. Makes them Yell out angrily at the Opposition or the Umps.

What do many of Us do when the cricket Mexican Wave goes by? People are celebrating life. Making happy,,, with Passion... What happens in the Northern Stand? Nothin! Dead. as a door nail. Lifeless. Plaid!

Heres a part of the character that misses the fire within. That fire that other clubs Have, that they Use against Us....

http://www.melbourne...07/default.aspx

Like that article very much.

Will be very interesting to see Friday night goes. It is a practise game, but should be treated as the Full Dress Rehearsal.