Hardwick's Tiges Lighting a Path for the Demons

[Footynut 302]

I wont make a decision on Neeld and his direction until next season - two preseasons and time to manipulate our list. Then we can make a better assessment, before then its way to early to tell. I personally like him despite the stories from the Western Jets that he used to peal the paint off the walls with his anger.

Players at Ocean Grove loved him and many still keep in close contact with him.

Funny because when we had Bailey many were asking for a tough coach that could tell it like it is and bring a hard edge. Now people are complaining that he is too hard and as a result has lost the players....

[hardtack 10,186]

And certainly not like a stooge for Whiteboard Wednesday.

Correct... you are more like the kind that hangs around with Moe, Larry and Curly!

[Dee Fan 3,247]

People have unbelievably short memories.

Richmond have been derided for years over poor recruitment.

It's as if we are the only team that has ever missed on recruiting.

Just goes to show you can have some misses and still make progress.

Delidio, Cotchin, Martin, Conca, Grigg, Reiwoldt, Vickery, Maric that's not bad recruiting. What is our equivalent?

[Footynut 302]

Well I don't belong in either of those, so how about..

3. I have hope, desperate hope, I'm gutted at how my beloved team is traveling and want to believe, but I can't believe until I see some kind of proof, whether it's improvement, effort, or spirit, that is all I need to believe

Fair enough. I love your spirit and passion.

At least you have a balanced assessment instead of calling for our coach/CEO/anyone else who can be blamed to be beheaded.

[Norm Smith's Curse 2,078]

We all know those. All we can judge recruitment on under Neeld and Craig is Clark and Sellar - one winner thus far.

[Footynut 302]

Delidio, Cotchin, Martin, Conca, Grigg, Reiwoldt, Vickery, Maric that's not bad recruiting. What is our equivalent?

Would you like me to list all the failures prior and in between?

[Norm Smith's Curse 2,078]

Players at Ocean Grove loved him and many still keep in close contact with him.

Funny because when we had Bailey many were asking for a tough coach that could tell it like it is and bring a hard edge. Now people are complaining that he is too hard and as a result has lost the players....

I personally think he is the right man for the job. Im convinced. But I could be wrong.

[stuie 7,374]

We all know those. All we can judge recruitment on under Neeld and Craig is Clark and Sellar - one winner thus far.

Magner?

[daisycutter 28,709]

Spoken like a true Dees supporter.

Jackie=Bluey ?

[Dee Fan 3,247]

Would you like me to list all the failures prior and in between?

I thought we were talking about the current situation not the last 10 years, if you want to go back over our drafting history compared to theirs then that's for another thread.

This is about Neeld and what he has inherited and what Hardwick has done with the [censored] list Wallace left him with. We have the opportunity this year to pick up a few Mids and that will help rectify the situation and in a few years a supporter from another club may be comparing his new coach to Neeld and what he went through in his first year.

Do you think we've recruited well?

[Norm Smith's Curse 2,078]

Magner?

Indeed and would love to see Couch get a game

[hardtack 10,186]

Jackie=Bluey ?

It's a definite possibility.

Edited May 26, 2012 by hardtack

[Guest Jackie]

Yeah, I mean the team is going so well, why can't the board be getting rid of our debt, or building a new state of the art training base, getting new sponsors, putting together a bigger coaching setup..... Oh wait....

Yeah, I mean the team is going so well, why can't the board be getting rid of our debt, or building a new state of the art training base, getting new sponsors, putting together a bigger coaching setup..... Oh wait....

And now we are the worst team ever fielded by this club in living memory. If there was a dog turd somewhere out on the MCG, only our players would step on it.

[furious d 447]

I don't know if Neeld is the man to help us find that elusive 13th flag, or even to drag us up into finals contention, but I'll back him 100% for now.

I'm 40, I've supported the dees since the mid 70's and while we might've looked good at times, we've always been fickle. Even during the Northey years, which are mythologised a bit around here, we'd manage to lose 3 or 4 on the trot with insipid performances at some stage during the year.

Our players have always seemed to relax whenever they get a pat on the back, the hunger has never seemed to be there. We've all heard the rumours over the years, "hollywood boulevard", arrogant players that think being an AFL player is enough. Our culture is pathetic, and as much as it hurts us fans, we all know it's the truth.

Finally we've got a coach that is willing to take that on. Willing to butt heads with our soft, pampered, arrogant, senior players before they pass that poisoned mindset on to yet another generation of Melbourne players. I'll back Neeld because the players have lost me. I can handle being crap, 08-10 wasn't that bad because you could see the effort, especially from our senior blokes, but it hasn't been there for a long time. The players have a choice, get on board or GTFO.

The AFL is a tough competitive environment, we need tough, competitive players. If training is too hard, if adhering to structures is too hard, if going when it's your turn is too hard, if being disciplined on and off the field is too hard, then playing for Melbourne is too hard, GTFO.

[Sir Why You Little 35,170]

I don't know if Neeld is the man to help us find that elusive 13th flag, or even to drag us up into finals contention, but I'll back him 100% for now.

I'm 40, I've supported the dees since the mid 70's and while we might've looked good at times, we've always been fickle. Even during the Northey years, which are mythologised a bit around here, we'd manage to lose 3 or 4 on the trot with insipid performances at some stage during the year.

Our players have always seemed to relax whenever they get a pat on the back, the hunger has never seemed to be there. We've all heard the rumours over the years, "hollywood boulevard", arrogant players that think being an AFL player is enough. Our culture is pathetic, and as much as it hurts us fans, we all know it's the truth.

Finally we've got a coach that is willing to take that on. Willing to butt heads with our soft, pampered, arrogant, senior players before they pass that poisoned mindset on to yet another generation of Melbourne players. I'll back Neeld because the players have lost me. I can handle being crap, 08-10 wasn't that bad because you could see the effort, especially from our senior blokes, but it hasn't been there for a long time. The players have a choice, get on board or GTFO.

The AFL is a tough competitive environment, we need tough, competitive players. If training is too hard, if adhering to structures is too hard, if going when it's your turn is too hard, if being disciplined on and off the field is too hard, then playing for Melbourne is too hard, GTFO.

Well said F d. My take exactly. The whole club is yet to harden up. Some people will be moved out. On & off the field, i am hoping the coach is a stayer.

[Moonshadow 16,504]

http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/09/08/1094530699642.html?from=storyrhs

Pre-Clarkson Hawthorn - all over the shop.

Criticised coach search. Administration under fire.

If you look at that article thinking of us instead of the Dorks, it's a very similar story. With a few exceptions, of course (partic the Battle of Britain bit at the end...), but much is familiar.

[Guest Jackie]

If you look at that article thinking of us instead of the Dorks, it's a very similar story. With a few exceptions, of course (partic the Battle of Britain bit at the end...), but much is familiar.

Their saving grace was that they did not have a CEO of the caliber of our Schwab. And having no CEO is better than having a Schwab as CEO. But co-incidndently they did lose a Schwab somewhere in the process. Not so familiar.

Edited May 26, 2012 by Jackie

[Demon SeaMan 108]

[censored] 1 big scalp and the tiges have a shot at glory and an enriched culture we should emulate... Pls !!! Lets write our own new script they haven't turned the corner yet steady on

[Mazer Rackham 14,970]

Jackie=Bluey ?

No. Bluey is a stirrer, with a sense of humour.

[Mazer Rackham 14,970]

Their saving grace was that they did not have a CEO of the caliber of our Schwab. And having no CEO is better than having a Schwab as CEO. But co-incidndently they did lose a Schwab somewhere in the process. Not so familiar.

Greg Denham ... welcome to Demonland!

[Nasher 33,187]

It's a definite possibility.

It's not. Jackie used to post on here under the username "america de cali".

No. Bluey is a stirrer, with a sense of humour.

Agreed - and his posting style is so obvious that you'd easily spot it if he starts posting here.

[DemonWA 3,577]

You're right. Hence the nod to Rpfc with my sig.

But it's not blind faith. It's genuine belief.

I expect Neeld to come under significantly more fire over the next three weeks as we will in all likelihood get well beaten by Carl/Ess/Coll. You can see that there's a movement on here agitating for his dismissal. The Old Guard who are resisting change and don't want to put in the hard yards to change the culture of the club.

I don't think he should be sacked, but I don't think he has done enough to earn genuine belief just yet either. IMO its blind faith until he proves himself with some on field results, hell, I'd even be happy with an honorable loss (if there is such a thing)

[Guest Jackie]

It's not. Jackie used to post on here under the username "america de cali".

Who's she?

Edited May 26, 2012 by Jackie

[daisycutter 28,709]

It's not. Jackie used to post on here under the username "america de cali".

Agreed - and his posting style is so obvious that you'd easily spot it if he starts posting here.

maybe Bluey's wife then? Assuming Bluey has one that is.

[Dr. Gonzo 22,686]

I seriously cannot comprehend the people who are already talking about Neeld's job being in jeopardy. He has coached 8 games FFS. 8 GAMES!!! I don't like to sledge people but anyone who is already thinking Neeld may not be coach by R1 2013 is an idiot.