TELL THEM THEY'RE NOT TRYING

[Ron Burgundy 8,584]

Davey and Morton - both talented, albeit much maligned players on this site, are starting to show a lot more intensity now. And that's a great sign, because the upside to these guys is IMO enormous.

I reckon Neeld loves Bate - and I can see why. He's a footballer's footballer. Definitely in our best 21 under Neeld - strange to think he was on the outer just six months ago.

Jones - unlucky not to be Captain. Neeld's turning him into a weapon.

Watts and Trengove didn't have great games - but there's no need to worry about these guys. Both players will be in Sheahan's top 50 in the next few years.

Magner - unbelievable rookie pick. You could shoot him in the head with a gun, and he'd get back up and smash someone. He could win the B&F this year.

Tom McD - what a great game from a 6 gamer. I literally couldn't believe it.

We really missed Moloney and Sylvia in the first few rounds.

Gotta love Bartram and Jordie Mac.

We won all the important stats, except obviously the points on the scoreboard.

All in all, the signs are there. In fact, some really, really good signs. Neeld is making this previously soft list, a hard list.

[Mac7 309]

Davey and Morton - both talented, albeit much maligned players on this site, are starting to show a lot more intensity now. And that's a great sign, because the upside to these guys is IMO enormous.

I reckon Neeld loves Bate - and I can see why. He's a footballer's footballer. Definitely in our best 21 under Neeld - strange to think he was on the outer just six months ago.

Jones - unlucky not to be Captain. Neeld's turning him into a weapon.

Watts and Trengove didn't have great games - but there's no need to worry about these guys. Both players will be in Sheahan's top 50 in the next few years.

Magner - unbelievable rookie pick. You could shoot him in the head with a gun, and he'd get back up and smash someone. He could win the B&F this year.

Tom McD - what a great game from a 6 gamer. I literally couldn't believe it.

We really missed Moloney and Sylvia in the first few rounds.

Gotta love Bartram and Jordie Mac.

We won all the important stats, except obviously the points on the scoreboard.

All in all, the signs are there. In fact, some really, really good signs. Neeld is making this previously soft list, a hard list.

Well said.

[Dr. Gonzo 24,297]

Had a look up at the TV during 3/4 time and they showed Neeld on the TV yelling "Get so and so off the f*ing ground NOW". Anyone watching at home know who he was talking about? My lip reading abilities only extend to profanities.

If we're referring to the same moment, I think he said "UP the f*ing the ground." I've got poor hearing, so I rely on reading people's lips more than most, and I'm pretty sure that's what he said. Of course, we might be thinking about different times we saw our coach cursing.

Haha just saw that then watching the replay - definitely said "get Moloney off the f*ing ground NOW!!!" and I'm guessing it was after he missed that sitter of a goal when he had a free Dunn over the top? Great to see some real passion and intensity from the coach after having Bailey looking like a corpse up there for 4 years.

[Demon17 5,203]

Yes the guys have to keep going at that intensity. That must be the Neeld way.

I think we have definiteily seen the Neeld way last night. His decison to retain Tom McDonald after a shocker last week gives me great confidenece in his decision making and what he thinks the team needs.

Proud of the re-build effort last night as was everyone else at the ground.

[Demon17 5,203]

Haha just saw that then watching the replay - definitely said "get Moloney off the f*ing ground NOW!!!" and I'm guessing it was after he missed that sitter of a goal when he had a free Dunn over the top? Great to see some real passion and intensity from the coach after having Bailey looking like a corpse up there for 4 years.

Agreed. It was Moloney and I was screaming to drag him as well. I loved Neelds immediate rsponse to a player who is still a prime mover. He won't do it again under Neeld and this should harden his resolve.

Great coaching leadership.

[Demon17 5,203]

I reckon Neeld loves Bate - and I can see why.

So do I. He has a real future.

Watts and Trengove . Both players will be in Sheahan's top 50 in the next few years.

Why? in the case of Watts. First decison is never taken and obseses about passing off and not taking responsibilty.

[Jaded No More 68,974]

Haha just saw that then watching the replay - definitely said "get Moloney off the f*ing ground NOW!!!" and I'm guessing it was after he missed that sitter of a goal when he had a free Dunn over the top? Great to see some real passion and intensity from the coach after having Bailey looking like a corpse up there for 4 years.

Thanks.

I blew my [censored] at that too. FFS it was a game changer.

Leader my arse.

[ox_5 163]

That ruckman was Rhys stanley. Actually one of the quickest men in the league.

Exactly right, Rhys won the grand final sprint a couple of years back.

And Tappy had a terribly bad cork earlier in the night.

[ox_5 163]

Thanks.

I blew my [censored] at that too. FFS it was a game changer.

Leader my arse.

Moloney made some big blunders last night. There was the incident you speak of, but the one that made me lose it was when he decided to take on another tackle on the 50m line instead of just getting it on the boot which was his first thought. Tackle, turnover, 2 passes, goal. Spirit killer.

[mrtwister 652]

Moloney made some big blunders last night. There was the incident you speak of, but the one that made me lose it was when he decided to take on another tackle on the 50m line instead of just getting it on the boot which was his first thought. Tackle, turnover, 2 passes, goal. Spirit killer.

I think we're a little harsh on our bigger bodied players who do this. Really, they're trying to draw the opposition to commit to them so they can hit a freed up player with the next hand pass. There were only 2 of us there and a few Saints. His intent was okay and it was selfless. He wasn't trying to break free to kick his own goal it was just that the numbers overwhelmed him and he coughed it up. If he gave it straight away then the recipient would have been gang tackled and from memory it wasn't someone as solid as Moloney.

I think the real game changer was Sylvia getting free at the 50 and clanging his kick to Davey. It should have gone into space over the head of Davey's defender for him to run onto but it ended up paralleling the goals and ending up behind the 50 on the other side of the ground Davey was stone cold buggered.

A goal then would have had us real close but instead they took it to the other end and although didn't score a goal directly from it, they locked it in for a while after the behind and eventually kicked the goal to extend the lead.

Proud of the boys though. I think the Saints would agree that it was tough playing against our boys last night.

Mark Neeld 101.

Edited April 29, 2012 by mrtwister

[Dee Fan 3,247]

Sellar is interesting, I thought he was doing his job bringing the ball to the ground, he could have taken a few marks with a bit of luck last night, and if the ball was dry probably would have. I believe that with a few more games and a bit more confidence he will be ok, remember he was given the boot by Adelaide and that would have dented his confidence.

We turned the corner last night.

[jumbo returns 6,741]

Sellar is interesting, I thought he was doing his job bringing the ball to the ground, he could have taken a few marks with a bit of luck last night, and if the ball was dry probably would have. I believe that with a few more games and a bit more confidence he will be ok, remember he was given the boot by Adelaide and that would have dented his confidence.

We turned the corner last night.

I watched him closely last night and he's still a touch undisciplined (you might say that about the entire team!)

Two or three times he failed to run back hard to fill a hole in the opposition's forward line - he watched the kicks go over his head.

His delisting should have been a wake up call.

I'm not sure about this player.......

[Geddy Lee 582]

Agree with most of what is said on here, however;

Bartram - dropped two absolute sitters of marks (uncontested) that directly cost us two goals. Not ****ing good enough. Would have been a decent game if not for these howlers.

Howe - this kid is looking good, but he is a TERRIBLE set shot at goal.

Davey - missed a very vital set shot at goal early in the game (when it wasn't raining); trying to do some smartass snap round the corner. Not good enough from a senior player.

Our best: McKenzie, Jamar, Jones, Garland, McDonald

Our worst: Watts & Trengove. Who woulda thunk it?

I also thought Bate was great at making space but was refused the ball by his teammates far too often.

[monoccular 17,573]

Great desperate mark by Col Garland late in the game. He came down hard on his bum - do hope he's okay.

Certainly a very courageous and desperate mark........pity it wasn't a game turner.

[Norm Smith's Curse 2,602]

I think the improvement was very impressive last night. I still dont have a voice however. I think the difference in the game was just the saints structures and having the ball pressed into their 50 for so much of the last quarter. I would have liked to see Sellar take a mark or two and a few less clangers by the boys int he back half, but in terms of stupid errors we were miles from some of the earlier performances.

I thought Cale Morton had a pretty good game and ive been a big critic of his in the past.

I thought Moloney played ok - the missed goal was the main heartbreaker for mine.

I think Nat Jones had a breakout game in a way as Ive never seen him play that well. Bate was very strong early. Bail showed a bit of composure and for once Batram's constant efforts were rewarded more than not.

McKenzie and Tommy McDonald were the high light for mine. I thought Joel Mac did ok as well.

I wondered why it was Dunn that was subbed and it was a pity that Col didnt have much impact on the game when he came on. All in all a great effort from the Demons across the board and with a few more ironed out errors and structure we can see real improvement.

Edited April 29, 2012 by Norm Smith's Curse

[Norm Smith's Curse 2,602]

Sellar is a Ben holland clone. He's just big. Can't get a touch. I guess he's role was just to create a contest but at this level, it's just not good enough. Made good position, couldn't hold one mark.

i remember watching Ben miss 5 set hots in a game. Sellar needs to make the marks stick before he can live up to Ben's accuracy record

[Norm Smith's Curse 2,602]

tappscott also impressed with his physicality.

[dees189227 12,398]

I know this is a bit off topic but did anyone see Mark Neelds address to the team on his first day of taking over when he spoke to them at aami park. Ch7 showed it and I saw it on the replay when I got home. I thought it was fantastic to see and he basically said he will have new structures and he will annoy the team with them and said everyones part of this structure and has a role to play and if you dont play it then you wont play. Said if we dont win 1 on 1 footy then we wont get very far and will find ourselves in a hole.

Said the players can trust him and he doesnt care about the past because he doesnt know any of the players. ANyway just watching it I thought he is the right person to lead this club.

[Dee Fan 3,247]

i remember watching Ben miss 5 set hots in a game. Sellar needs to make the marks stick before he can live up to Ben's accuracy record

Ben's kicking was terrible whether he was having a shot at goal or kicking out of the backline, great hands but I'm sure the opposition licked their lips when he got the ball in his hands. I think Sellar is a more athletic player and if he can stick a few he may be a good asset for us.

I've had a bit of time for Stef Martin but he just doesn't seem to be progressing, his marking isn't great and his kicking for goal is unreliable, he seems to have hit a brick wall this year and needs to get his game going in the right direction or he'll fade away from the game. Last year he had responsibility thrust upon him and he answered the call but if you look back at the previous year he was going nowhere and had some personal problems going on.

For a big guy he just doesn't get physical enough to suit our new game plan, imo.

[dee-luded 2,959]

Just a comment, my first on this game...

Yee -- Hah

[rjay 25,088]

Moloney made some big blunders last night. There was the incident you speak of, but the one that made me lose it was when he decided to take on another tackle on the 50m line instead of just getting it on the boot which was his first thought. Tackle, turnover, 2 passes, goal. Spirit killer.

If Neeld can get him to use the ball to advantage and not try to be the hero then he will be a valuable contributor. To often he burns teammates in a better position and he is a down hill skier.

[CHAMP 347]

Agree with most of what is said on here, however;

Howe - this kid is looking good, but he is a TERRIBLE set shot at goal.

Not so. In 18 games he has 22.13.

[Deemort 28]

Oh and I hope no one expects any class from Sylvia. His pumping long kick to Sellar (who battled well but isn't going to mark over the top of 3) in the last quarter when he had a few overlap options on was very disappointing. Time and again in time and space he fails to use clever options. I'm sure Neeld's game plan allows for spotting up targets instead of bombing it when running free on the wing.

And my apologies to Tom McDonald who I was calling for to be dropped earlier. He did a terrific job. Played Riewoldt very cleverly and will surely have learnt a great deal. His fitness is a real asset, Riewoldt never looked like out running him.

As for Joel Macdonald I do not extend my apology to you. Too often you fumble and stutter and don't make clear decisions, which leads to turn overs. I hope Frawley is back next week to take your spot, if he isn't then I hope they finally make a smart move and put Watts to a half back flank.

You weren't alone there mate, a weeks a long time in football. His 5th game we call for his head and in his 6th he basically proves the majority of us wrong, well done to young tommy.

[Disco Demons 92]

I was very dissapointed by the poor kicking displayed by Morton and Grimes. What are we going to do here?

[Hannibal 5,814]

I was very dissapointed by the poor kicking displayed by Morton and Grimes. What are we going to do here?

Seriously mate, those two players should have been the least of your worries.