His speech to the GWS players was really good.. Would make our midfield stand taller.

Missed this. Is there a link to the speech or it's contents?

I remember when Brett Ratten spent a year with us. The feedback that came from the players and club was constant and positive.

I'm yet to hear any such positivity about Brian Royal. This includes the years at MFC, the final two under Wallace at Richmond (disaster) and one year as a development coach at the Saints in '09. Obviously not much was developed in that time or MFC see much more in him than any other club. (I can't quite remember if we approached him again or the Saints knew one year of him was enough).

A glowing playing record, his coaching record doesn't reflect the same.

Perhaps not enough substance here for rpfc but good enough for me. I continue to be disappointed that he is our mids coach.

Ling would be a fantastic get. Perhaps his plate is well and truly full with TV and business commitments.

Edited May 29, 201213 yr by Surfer Rosa

I'm addicted to substances...

You had better prepare yourself for "substance abuse" after a post like that.

I actually find it funny like yourself, that people can demand Royal be given the axe with no real substance behind their demands, yet they are happy to have Ling, a completely untried and unknown quantity, walk into the mids coaching position...can just see it in one or two seasons time if that eventuated; the same usual suspects would be demanding Ling's head on a platter and still not grasping the idea that it might, just might, be something to do with the playing group.

IF he was interested, he would be a massive acquisition. Could I go as far as saying a club saving one?

Yeah, just like Voss to the Lions.

Poor Brian Royal.

To the question of why is the midfield bad, the answer from MFC supporters is 'Brian' and 'Royal'...

Personally, I think it isn't so stupidly simple as the line coach, but that's just rpfc being rpfc.

It's not Brian Royal at all, IMO.

But we do need someone onfield to steer the ship, with class in leadership. Ling is that & more, if we could get him for a year or 2.

Cleanout our NQR's & put the kids through, with ling as onfield mentor.

Trengove, Gysberts, Viney, Ling, Grimes, Blease, Jones, ????, ?????

It's not Brian Royal at all, IMO.

But we do need someone onfield to steer the ship, with class in leadership. Ling is that & more, if we could get him for a year or 2.

Cleanout our NQR's & put the kids through, with ling as onfield mentor.

Trengove, Gysberts, Viney, Ling, Grimes, Blease, Jones, ????, ?????

Ling won't play again....

I bet the players would respect a triple Premeirship player and captain of one who gave his all each week, and the saw him doing it more so than a player the majority would not have a clue about or what he did on the footy field, let alone earned major respect as a assistant coach.

I've never been a Royal Fan.

He is the last man standing from a FD shake up.

I just don't know what he brings to the table that saves him.

I like the way the midfield are going in harder, but what happens when/if they get the ball?

The disposal skill is atrocious.My belief is the setup at stoppages is just a little off.

We are just a bit off giving protection to the ball winner to clear the ball without being crunched all the time.

If this problem hasn't been mentioned at team meetings I'd be surprised. But I don't see any improvement throughout this year.

We need someone who can get the message cross. If that is Ling, Hayes, Bartel or anyone else, please get them.

I have a mate that works for him. Ling has a decent-sized domestic construction business.

He also has a stake in about 4 or 5 pubs around Geelong, as part of a business group with 4 other prominent geelong businessmen, including The Edge, Gold Diggers Arms, Lamby's Tavern and I'm fairly certain he has a stake in CQ (the Geelong version).

What, are you the MFC spokesman?

Talking down every good Idea that comes up. As if it may impinge on the clubs Ideas.

Ling won't play again....

How do you know unless it's put to him. Sounds defeatist to me. You know leave no stone unturned to achieve your aims.

How do you know unless it's put to him. Sounds defeatist to me. You know leave no stone unturned to achieve your aims.

Why is it a good idea? What do we know about his coaching abilities? Everyone touted Voss as the next super coach because of his great form as a player... remind me, how are the Lions traveling? What is the aim that we are leaving no stone unturned in the pursuit of?

Some play and understand the game, Ling

Some play and think they know the game, Lyon

Some play and have no idea, Taylor, Darcy

It would be a great pick up to get Ling on the coaching panel next year, I think he is open to it now and would be well set to take a senior position down the track.