Mark Neeld's revamped side of 2012 has had a refocus over the pre-season, moving away from the fast moving, risk taking but undisciplined and unaccountable football of the Bailey era towards a much more hard-nosed defensive mindset. Neeld has brought in Collingwood's premiership 'press' game-plan and also its key underlying feature - relentless defense. Under Bailey's game plan which mimicked Geelong's run and carry style of play, Melbourne's major concern was its lack of contested possession and inability to stop the bleeding when a team got a run on us, among several other concerns. The central cause of these, which as the game changed towards the press became more obvious was that Melbourne in general but in particularly the midfield and forward line lacked strong and accountable defense. Enter Mark Neeld.

Neeld joined the club in late September last year and immediately took a sword to the clubs coaching department. In his first address to the players he spoke bluntly about what he considered absolutely necessary for this club to be successful and what he expects the players to do - which is hard, accountable and contested football (watch it here if you've never seen it: http://www.melbournefc.com.au/dee%20tv/tabid/8667/default.aspx#playvideo its on page 3). And so far this year the Demons have completely changed in regards to game style, they're playing wide to the wings rather than down the corridor, winning the contested possession count and tackling with ferocity. Yet despite these changes on the field the difference in the scoreboard remains the same, in fact you can argue that its significantly worse with big loses against Brisbane and Richmond which are considered winnable games and that the Demons now rest at the bottom of the ladder below AFL babies Gold Coast and GWS. So why hasn't our new hard-nosed game plan changed anything at least in regards to the scoreboard? Is it a lack of talent, ambition or has Neeld already lost the players?

Frankly, its none of those and the last one in particular is outrageous. The team in my opinion certainly doesn't lack any talent, players like Jack Watts, Colin Sylvia, James Frawley, Jack Trengove, Jack Grimes, Mitch Clark, Jeremy Howe, Brent Moloney to just name a few, are all incredibly talented and skillful. The lack of ambition and drive argument is always invalid in regards to AFL footballers, if the players didn't want to win games they wouldn't be playing, either by their own choice or the coaches - as Jack Trengove said "I just want the premiership". Our problems are a result of something much simpler - we've stopped running.

Comparatively the 2012 Demons side while it is a much more disciplined outfit, lack that spread and hard-running that won us games against Adelaide (98 points), Fremantle (89 points) and Essendon (33 points) last year and Sydney (73 points) the year before - all of which are considered top finals contenders in 2012. This year we're playing accountable defensive football but we don't ever shift from defensive to offensive play to build that momentum shift, we're too worried about our opponents and therefore don't spread off them or take risks. And while this kind of play may be helping Melbourne rectify its contested possession deficiency it's causing severe problems on the other end, as the uncontested possession differential is getting wider and wider. And that's why Melbourne's other major problem of stopping the bleeding is still occurring; you simply cannot win games if you don't have the football. Teams will continue to relentlessly attack if we can't take control of the football for extensive periods of play and stop their momentum.

Perhaps it's not all in the game plan though, a severe lack of confidence has spread throughout the club and that's understandable after spending 5 years on the bottom and had almost all of our experienced leaders cut from the side - we've simply forgot how to win games. That's why players such as Bennell, Blease, Watts, Tapscott etc etc are running around in the 2's rather than in the Red and Blue. They have no one who can guide, instruct and protect them in games. It's obvious as well, when a side packs on consecutive goals our heads drop and we don't believe we can win anymore - that's what clearly happened in the second quarter against the Hawks and the third quarter against the Tigers. Lack of confidence in a club is a cancer that will rot the club from inside out and this concern needs to be address quickly.

So as I sat and watched with my head in my hands last Friday night as Hawthorn walked all over us, I asked: How do we get our midfield more involved? How do we stop the bleeding? How do we find 100+ more possessions? How do we fix this team? In the end I went to bed angry, depressed and comtemplating the benefits of sucicide.

Yet the sun still rose on Saturday morning and after having some breakfast and putting away my length of rope, gun and generic letter to my friends and family (now a weekly ritual) I had calmed down and begun to address some of these questions. And after many hours of contemplation I realised it came down to a matter of simply bringing the run back. All night against Hawthorn we where second to the ball and that's because we've become more concerned with out oppenents more than the ball itself. A primership cannot be won of just one style of play - offensive or defensive - it must have a strong relationship between both. Melbourne under Neeld need to focus on integrating that running system with that hard and accountable defence, which means running both ways (something that we lacked under Bailey). As a result we should not only be first to the ball but also providing greater protection for the ball carrier and that our options up forward should never be stagnate. And when we don't have the ball we can place immense pressure on the opposition and force turnovers, particularly in the forward 50. In order to do this Melbourne players need to, as Mick Malthouse pointed out against Geelong, trust each other to win the one-on-ones and look to spread and generate movement across the field, but more importantly - Neeld needs to trust his players. Neeld and his coaching staff need to stop playing 2-3 of our key midfield players as run-with or tagging roles and allow the Melbourne players to attack, having faith that at the same time to keep their defensive structures and limit the impact of opposition midfielders. He needs to trust that the Melbourne players can play defensively rather than force it because that makes the players self-concsious and second guess themselves. Now this will develop over time. Trust is never something that can be given instantly - it has to be earned. And hopefully we can begin to see this develop over the season.

The game plan itself will also take time and that's why I don't expect to see us suddenly 'click' next week and play with a clear and undeniable style that incorporates both hard attacking run and disciplined, accountable defense but I do look towards progress over the season. And that means challenging top-sides, punishing weaker ones, winning tight contests, running harder, winning and controlling the football more and irradicating confidence concerns which means; seeing real belief in the side, not just from us the supporters but from the players themselves.

Patience is a characteristic that is crucial to all Melbourne supporters and I have faith in Neeld and the new coaching department but once again I feel it might be a bit of a wait till we see success. But when it does happen, it will be glorious.

CARN THE DEMONS!!

+1. I think it would be remiss of us to think the coaching staff haven’t recognised this though. They probably knew it could potentially get this ugly before it got better, I just hope they've factored in the affect loosing has on morale!

Agree with your angst and analysis. However, until we can defend as effectively as we have attacked in the past we won't win finals football.

Neeld said recently that the players "don't defend naturally" and that they are working on that. When we do defend naturally the players will be decisive moving both forward and back and the confidence will build. Our lack of speed is an expression of the players having to think about what they are trying to do instead of just doing it (naturally).

The tide will turn.

Hopefully Misson (with another pre-season or 2) will build the boys into a running/power raging team that can steam roll their opponents and run over the top like the weapon did with the Cats and now (early days but signs are good sadly) with the Bombres

Interesting article for those who may not have seen already......

http://www.heraldsun...f-1226217676548

I had a dream a few years back that we played the Bombres off in a GF in the not to distant future. And no it wasn't a replay of the 2000 GF (thank god lol). It came down to 1 or 2 kicks with 5 minutes to go. Didn't manage to get to the result part lol.

Edited May 15, 201213 yr by Rusty Nails

Hopefully Misson (with another pre-season or 2) will build the boys into a running/power raging team that can steam roll their opponents and run over the top like the weapon did with the Cats and now (early days but signs are good sadly) with the Bombres

Interesting article for those who may not have seen already......

http://www.heraldsun...f-1226217676548

I had a dream a few years back that we played the Bombres off in a GF in the not to distant future. And no it wasn't a replay of the 2000 GF (thank god lol). It came down to 1 or 2 kicks with 5 minutes to go. Didn't manage to get to the result part lol.

I heard Mooney talking about this guy just before. He said they were no where near it until this guy brought them up to scratch with their fitness. I think if we pele it back the fact we have recruited light framed players and faield to develop them physically is a big part of why we are going so bad right now. Bring back the run yes but need to be able to play contested footy and get the ball first.

+1. I think it would be remiss of us to think the coaching staff haven’t recognised this though. They probably knew it could potentially get this ugly before it got better, I just hope they've factored in the affect loosing has on morale!

Agree with your angst and analysis. However, until we can defend as effectively as we have attacked in the past we won't win finals football.

Neeld said recently that the players "don't defend naturally" and that they are working on that. When we do defend naturally the players will be decisive moving both forward and back and the confidence will build. Our lack of speed is an expression of the players having to think about what they are trying to do instead of just doing it (naturally).

The tide will turn.

I do believe that the coaching staff would have recognised and addressed these concerns as well, it would be foolish to think otherwise. I agree Frenzy Mckenzie, that it will make it a million times harder to get these guys to perform as they're instructed when they train if they don't believe they can perform on game day. Confidence is everything in sport. PaulRB, as I said above the defensive mindset is crucial for a winning formula but it just seems at the moment that Neeld and co, are just so focused on achieving it that is sacrificing the attacking side of our game, evident in our low uncontested possession count. This area needs to be addressed soon and part of that is trusting his side (which is a side built for running) to attack while maintaining those defensive structures. If not, we'll keep getting smashed in the uncontested possessions by 100+.

Similar to the old saying, you can't score if you don't shoot. Well you can't kick, handpass, attack, control the game in anyway, score and you definitely can't win without the ball.

They have got to do both - attack and defend.

Hopefully Misson (with another pre-season or 2) will build the boys into a running/power raging team that can steam roll their opponents and run over the top like the weapon did with the Cats and now (early days but signs are good sadly) with the Bombres

Interesting article for those who may not have seen already......

http://www.heraldsun...f-1226217676548

I had a dream a few years back that we played the Bombres off in a GF in the not to distant future. And no it wasn't a replay of the 2000 GF (thank god lol). It came down to 1 or 2 kicks with 5 minutes to go. Didn't manage to get to the result part lol.

Can you please go back to sleep and get a result for us......I'll take anything at this stage.....

Can you please go back to sleep and get a result for us......I'll take anything at this stage.....

Haha

I don't know if i wanna know

Haha

I don't know if i wanna know

RN Whatever the result in your dream it has got to be way better than real life in 2012

Edited May 15, 201213 yr by old dee

I heard Mooney talking about this guy just before. He said they were no where near it until this guy brought them up to scratch with their fitness. I think if we pele it back the fact we have recruited light framed players and faield to develop them physically is a big part of why we are going so bad right now. Bring back the run yes but need to be able to play contested footy and get the ball first.

The claim that according to GPS data our players are covering 33% more ground this year, is ringing in my ears...

An excellent post "CARN THE". Your concern with the confidence of the players is something that I too worry about and I hope and pray that the coaching staff are equally aware of it cancerous nature. It's often said that the best form of defence is attack and whilst I know that this is a rather simplistic concept in the case of our midfield it appears to have some validity.

The claim that according to GPS data our players are covering 33% more ground this year, is ringing in my ears...

I think JM it is all the running around 5 meters behind the other team. You cover a lot of ground chasing.

I think JM it is all the running around 5 meters behind the other team. You cover a lot of ground chasing.

You also cover a lot more ground running from one boundary to the other when the play is switched, as opposed to playing "easy footy" by hanging about in the corridor for most of the day.

You also cover a lot more ground running from one boundary to the other when the play is switched, as opposed to playing "easy footy" by hanging about in the corridor for most of the day.

Well all that extra work has produced bugger all so far.

The claim that according to GPS data our players are covering 33% more ground this year, is ringing in my ears...

This is an encouraging sign, showing our improvement in fitness. Although the run that I'm referring to is the spread of the players, creating space to lead and attack into.

RN Whatever the result in your dream it has got to be way better than real life in 2012

Yep. About as painful as giving birth i reckon. What comes out the other end better be bloody well worth it OD!

Yep. About as painful as giving birth i reckon. What comes out the other end better be bloody well worth it OD!

At the risk of being boring RN I think nowadays I would just be happy to have the Dees Financially Stable,

Win more games than we lose and be respected by the competition.

That will have to be good enough for me as

I am now fairly confident we will not win number 13 while I am on this earth

I don't think anyone knows when it's our turn to go OD. Who knows, I might go before you. I'd like to experience the ultimate before i turn me toes up as well. I'm with you as to the chances of it being soonish though.

I think every Demon would like to see us competitive and respected much sooner than that though. Hopefully the beginning of the respect phase starts this Saturday arvo at the SCG.

I don't think anyone knows when it's our turn to go OD. Who knows, I might go before you. I'd like to experience the ultimate before i turn me toes up as well. I'm with you as to the chances of it being soonish though.

I think every Demon would like to see us competitive and respected much sooner than that though. Hopefully the beginning of the respect phase starts this Saturday arvo at the SCG.

What I was probably trying to say RN is that I think no.13 is a long way off.

You are correct but I hope to see out another 20 years so you can see my confidence of winning no.13 is very low

What I was probably trying to say RN is that I think no.13 is a long way off.

You are correct but I hope to see out another 20 years so you can see my confidence of winning no.13 is very low

Maybe this song is for us ........

Should be called 'Bring back the GUT run' Our players work no where near hard enough! On The Couch just showed vision of Daniel Kerr absolutely spent after running 130 meters and kicked a goal I haven't seen and MFC player do that for a very long time!

Flick the switch

Should be called 'Bring back the GUT run' Our players work no where near hard enough! On The Couch just showed vision of Daniel Kerr absolutely spent after running 130 meters and kicked a goal I haven't seen and MFC player do that for a very long time!

thats cos every kick out of the backline just goes to a 2-on-1 and then straight back into the back half. no point running if the ball aint gonna get to where you're heading

The claim that according to GPS data our players are covering 33% more ground this year, is ringing in my ears...

This actually would not surprise me. I have a theory we and any team who are losing, run a lot more on most occasions because we HAVE to. I liken it to a tennis match where the superior player will make his opponent run further, not only more likely to lose the point, but expending more and more energy along the way.

The perfect example is Hawthorn. They so often kick to a target who then turns around, and like flicking a switch, can pin point a target 30 to 50 metres away, and only off 2 or 3 steps. Meanwhile their opponents run 20-30 steps to cover the next player, and on and on it goes.

My Hypothesis would be that winning teams often run less, but look to be running in front for more of the match. What they do is get the ball to travel at higher speeds and longer distances.

In the modern game speed of foot is good but its speed of ball use that wins premierships. I think Carlton are the fastest team but over the last few years Geelong, a slower side in running but not in ball movement bring home the bacon.

Edited May 15, 201213 yr by Bay Riffin

Hopefully Misson (with another pre-season or 2) will build the boys into a running/power raging team that can steam roll their opponents and run over the top like the weapon did with the Cats and now (early days but signs are good sadly) with the Bombres

Interesting article for those who may not have seen already......

http://www.heraldsun...f-1226217676548

I had a dream a few years back that we played the Bombres off in a GF in the not to distant future. And no it wasn't a replay of the 2000 GF (thank god lol). It came down to 1 or 2 kicks with 5 minutes to go. Didn't manage to get to the result part lol.

We ran all over them with our light frames in the last quarter and they just moved aside .WTF is Dave Misson doing? We need weights and food and repeat .

Edited May 15, 201213 yr by Biffen