Well, here we are. Amidst the doom of the season we still must admit that the off-season recruitment of established names in footy development is a pleasing aspect to the Neeld era.

My concern is that many on here don't realise, or refuse to acknowledge, the need to let the more talented, if poor in performance and less mature in body, to have the time to use the expertise of Craig and Misson to turn their fortunes around.

There are no promises in this game but Morton, Watts, Bennell, and Bail are a few names that given the right advice can transform their bodies and give themselves a chance to succeed at this level.

And remember that this doesn't occur overnight - it is a project that takes a few years.

Do we still wish to delist Bennell? Do we still want to trade Morton?

List management decisions must be made I believe, with an eye to the new development dynamic.

I will admit this thread is a reaction to seeing Morton called a dud this morning - not on what he has done this season, but because of the previous dynamic that was not conducive to getting the best out of players.

Neeld has a three year contract. I am more than willing to give and the new coaching staff until the end of the 2014 season to show they are the right people for the job.

Neeld only came in late last year too, I am sure he will make many more list related decisions at the end of this season too.

Morton will be ok under Neeld others have 16 games left to show whether they are up to it.

There are no promises in this game but Morton, Watts, Bennell, and Bail are a few names that given the right advice can transform their bodies and give themselves a chance to succeed at this level.

And remember that this doesn't occur overnight - it is a project that takes a few years.

I am actually satisfied to see that Morton since starting to play this year has actually improved as he has had more game time, and gained in confidence. Sure he was not great to start with, but it looks like he has the confidence of the coaches, and a role to play.

You could add Cook, and Gysberts to your list above of players that need time to adjust and build toward the appropriate body shape for the role that Neeld and the football department need from these players.

.... I almost put Tapscott in too, but couldnt' keep from smiling (although perhaps in all honesty, all our younger players will be "sculpted" to what is required.)

The problem is we heard it all before when Bailey came on board, meanwhile players at other clubs at a similar age all seem to be developing fine.

The problem is we heard it all before when Bailey came on board, meanwhile players at other clubs at a similar age all seem to be developing fine.

Spot on. I heard Mclardy on radio last tuesday still talking about development.

Other clubs have left us in their dust.

It is time that the MFC recognized this...Friday night will be a good barometer. We need to embrace this challenge and not be thrashed mercillessly like Hawthorn usually treat our meetings.

Well, here we are. Amidst the doom of the season we still must admit that the off-season recruitment of established names in footy development is a pleasing aspect to the Neeld era.

My concern is that many on here don't realise, or refuse to acknowledge, the need to let the more talented, if poor in performance and less mature in body, to have the time to use the expertise of Craig and Misson to turn their fortunes around.

There are no promises in this game but Morton, Watts, Bennell, and Bail are a few names that given the right advice can transform their bodies and give themselves a chance to succeed at this level.

And remember that this doesn't occur overnight - it is a project that takes a few years.

Do we still wish to delist Bennell? Do we still want to trade Morton?

List management decisions must be made I believe, with an eye to the new development dynamic.

I will admit this thread is a reaction to seeing Morton called a dud this morning - not on what he has done this season, but because of the previous dynamic that was not conducive to getting the best out of players.

Agreed

We were basically told by Neeld / Misson when they arrived that the teams fitness base was absymal on not up to AFL standard

This can't be changed with 1 pre season, it will take multiple pre seasons to see the benefit

We've been shocking this year, no one can hide from that, but to expect anything else whilst going through a new gameplan (which was the complete opposite of previous gameplan), new fitness regime etc is wishful thinking

We'll do poorly this year, but I think we'll start so see some major improvement next year and thereafter

The problem is we heard it all before when Bailey came on board, meanwhile players at other clubs at a similar age all seem to be developing fine.

I agree, its frustrating, but name the other team who had an absolute dud of a coach, who have a severe lack of senior leadership, who has now hired a new coach with the complete opposite gameplan that's doing well?

The problem is we heard it all before when Bailey came on board, meanwhile players at other clubs at a similar age all seem to be developing fine.

Morton under Bailey didn't develop all that much.... in the first couple of years we pumped games into our young players, they would have had confidence that they could make mistakes and not have to worry about being dropped all the time. In the last couple of years under Bailey, he was injured at bad times, and was shuffled around within the team, and wasn't settled into a role. He has more confidence as a result of being settled under Neeld... and hence shows signs of improvement.

Not all players at other clubs are developing fine.... Mitch Thorp? Xavier Ellis? these are high picks that have not exactly worked out for Clarkson. We just know the Dees list more intimately than other clubs.

Time and again, I see the same post, hear the same complaint:

We've heard "they need time" - we've given them time! And they are crap!

blah blah blah ad nauseum...

The simple fact is:

We haven't given them enough time and we haven't poured enough resources into them.

I also often see/hear that MFC is rubbish at developing players.

That players would be much better at another club.

Well, why is that?

Is the club cursed?

It's because in the past we haven't put the resources into kids and afforded them the time to develop.

It's no coincidence that the majority of guns at Geelong all played in VFL premierships together - because they spent a large amount of time developing in the VFL, rather than being thrust into the senior team and expected to perform on the AFL stage from day dot.

At Collingwood guys like Ben Reid, Dawes and Buckley have had to wait until they were a bit older to get regular games. If we delist every 22-24 year old who isnt Chris Judd yet we're not doing ourselves any favours.

I dont think Neeld and his team will delist too many from the squad at years end. We might see some older guys retire or go to other clubs, but the reality is that guys like Morton, Benell, Bail, even Jetta are all still 'young'. Unless Neeld really doesnt like what he sees he'll hold onto them.

At Collingwood guys like Ben Reid, Dawes and Buckley have had to wait until they were a bit older to get regular games. If we delist every 22-24 year old who isnt Chris Judd yet we're not doing ourselves any favours.

I dont think Neeld and his team will delist too many from the squad at years end. We might see some older guys retire or go to other clubs, but the reality is that guys like Morton, Benell, Bail, even Jetta are all still 'young'. Unless Neeld really doesnt like what he sees he'll hold onto them.

Yes. The players you mention are young enough to still mould into what is required.

The problem is we heard it all before when Bailey came on board, meanwhile players at other clubs at a similar age all seem to be developing fine.

My point is a compliment to this - Bailey never got the development resources that we have now.

Coaches are important but professional development of a players body can take their game to the next level because they can actually accomplish what their talent has promised but their body has not been able to deliver.

Morton will be ok under Neeld others have 16 games left to show whether they are up to it.

I agree he is dfinitely back on track and will blossom under the current coaching group Anyone can see his ability and with focus and application he will performSome of the others i'm not so sure but am willing to trust the coaches completely at this stage

My point is a compliment to this - Bailey never got the development resources that we have now.

Coaches are important but professional development of a players body can take their game to the next level because they can actually accomplish what their talent has promised but their body has not been able to deliver.

A very good point.......and you see other young blokes at other teams play one great game and the media go beserk and call him a champion of the future and in the next month he is playing back in the VFL and nothing is said.......With the resourse now at the MFC and the time and money put in to developing these players all bode for a better time ahead.......Look at Gysberts, two great games to start his career but then had to go back to learn his craft........It will happen....but it will take time.

Time and again, I see the same post, hear the same complaint:

The simple fact is:

We haven't given them enough time and we haven't poured enough resources into them.

I also often see/hear that MFC is rubbish at developing players.

That players would be much better at another club.

Yoyu dont need unlimited resources to get people very very fit!Which we obviously are notWell, why is that?

Is the club cursed?

It's because in the past we haven't put the resources into kids and afforded them the time to develop.

It's no coincidence that the majority of guns at Geelong all played in VFL premierships together - because they spent a large amount of time developing in the VFL, rather than being thrust into the senior team and expected to perform on the AFL stage from day dot.

My point is a compliment to this - Bailey never got the development resources that we have now.

Coaches are important but professional development of a players body can take their game to the next level because they can actually accomplish what their talent has promised but their body has not been able to deliver.

Spot on rpfc. Bailey was coaching on a bargain basement strategy, which is the main reason i do not blame him for the debacle that did happen. For 2 1/2 years the MFC got development. And should have addressed the FD deficiencies at the end of 2009, regardless as to whether AAMI Parkes was completed. (another convenient excuse in my eyes.)

What is a school of students with sub standard teachers...a complete rabble.

With the right people and structures this list would have improved post QB 2010 far more than it did. Should Bailey have demanded more resources? Maybe he did, and it started the rift.

Whatever happened THE CLUB wasted the 2008-11 years and i am hugely disappointed and angry about it.

Look at Richmond Essendon & North...All of them were behind us...Now we are falling further behind.

Fact.

The football department was under-resourced, but for some player reviews to slip through the net shows a lack of competency to set up the necessary procedures and structures to ensure this doesn't happen.

The football department was under-resourced, but for some player reviews to slip through the net shows a lack of competency to set up the necessary procedures and structures to ensure this doesn't happen.

This was quite damning I thought from Cale's interview. I remember someone posting last year about this last year who had spoken to Morton and he felt he wasn't getting adequate feedback. I recall Warnock having a similar complaint.

This was quite damning I thought from Cale's interview. I remember someone posting last year about this last year who had spoken to Morton and he felt he wasn't getting adequate feedback. I recall Warnock having a similar complaint.

Correct re Warnock

Said he was sent back to the 2's but wasn't told what it was he had to work on

Correct re Warnock

Said he was sent back to the 2's but wasn't told what it was he had to work on

Well hopefully this has changed.

Correct re Warnock

Said he was sent back to the 2's but wasn't told what it was he had to work on

Meanwhile the CEO was presenting "Whiteboard Wednesday" for us all.

The Club should collectively hang its head in shame and apologize to the rank & file member who has financially supported this club in the last 5 years.

Until G. Lyon stormed in the doors last August it is obvious the entire organization had no idea about elite fitness mind or body.

I love the way the Crows have bounced back. Yes they were stale. But Neil Craig had them fit as.

Craig was a great recruitment.

Meanwhile the CEO was presenting "Whiteboard Wednesday" for us all.

The Club should collectively hang its head in shame and apologize to the rank & file member who has financially supported this club in the last 5 years.

Until G. Lyon stormed in the doors last August it is obvious the entire organization had no idea about elite fitness mind or body.

I love the way the Crows have bounced back. Yes they were stale. But Neil Craig had them fit as.

Craig was a great recruitment.

Completely separate topics, but I won't expect you to grasp that.

Or maybe CS should have been giving players feedback?

FFS...

Completely separate topics, but I won't expect you to grasp that.

Or maybe CS should have been giving players feedback?

FFS...

One in all in hose.

No need to swear thankyou.

One in all in hose.

No need to swear thankyou.

That was the trouble with CS wasn't it???? White board Wed was attempting to give the members an insight to the runnings of the club. It was up to FD to give feedback to the players and tell them what to work on was it not????????