Clubs sack coaches when things go wrong with the teams performance and the board lose faith in the incumbent to resolve the issues.

A new coach is appointed amid much fanfare. The fans, desperate to move on from the previous years pain, buy into the new dream with gusto. The new coach gets a honeymoon, he rides the hope while saying "lot of work to be done", etc... we expect to rise. The coach knowing he's got a honeymoon with players and fans alike launches into the changes that he believes will bear fruit in his time. This is the cycle and half smart coach is aiming for, to peak when his contract is up for review.

So Neeld, is laying the foundations for finals footy, he knows that in 2014, the last of his current contract he needs the team to be heading up the ladder and into September to be certain that his tenure at Melbourne will continue. So the plan is plain...

Year 1 - Drive change hard and deep, teach and test all the players under the desired game plan. Move on those who won't help, recruit those who will. Recruit young Midfielders

Year 2 - Maintain standards, teach, develop and stabilise the group in the desired structure, roles and plays. Target recruitment at immediate needs to fill unexpected gaps in list.

Year 3 - Repeat year 2 with greater results. Target to peak toward the end of the season. Get contract extended by two years in July when Melb sit 11 - 3 in third spot on the ladder...

Thoughts? (aside from the obvious wishful thinking)

Edited May 28, 201213 yr by PaulRB

Why can't we just be good now ?

I don't quite see it in the cynical way of a coach just trying to save their own skin, however I believe essentially your analysis is pretty on. Basically to me though, it is simply that he inherited a list and sure as the sky is blue he will not be thrilled with all the players. Therefore, this year is essentially teaching/weeding and next year is when the heat begins. He can get away with this year, and to a lesser extent next year, and after that there better be some improvement, or there will be some pain.

Why can't we just be good now ?

Because we have always accepted mediocrity

Because we have always accepted mediocrity

Well every poster on this site has probly been saying that for the past 6 years, I do not agree, the players are just are not playing on instinct. They are playing AFL because they are amongst the best in the world at the game, I think we should allow them to play to their instincts, but still hold them to a higher level of responsibility and work ethic at training obviously. A game plan should be a guide for the players, but they should just be left to play and make decisions based on gut instinct, not game plan.

It's clear to me that Neeld is willing to suffer pain this year due to your point on Year 1

At lot of coaches get the "luxury" of coming in and replacing a coach with a mature list (Chris Scott, Brenton Sanderson etc.)

Neeld has basically come in and had to change the ENTIRE program, as he saw it as not good enough to hold up in finals football (or even possibly make it to finals football)

There is a difference with what he is doing to what others have done

He's changing the game plan, radically. He's changing the training regime, radically. He's changing the players roles and mindset, radically.

A lot of people got a false sense of hope when Dean Bailey made the comment that whoever coaches Melbourne next year has a golden ticket to the finals

If the new coach kept the status quo, perhaps we would be in contention for the finals, but would we ever be in contention for a flag? Did we have the game plan for that?

Neeld clearly thinks not and has pretty much stripped everything back to the bare bones

I thought we saw a glimpse against Carlton on what is possible and what is to come

Yes, they didn't play their best football, but we actually saw some attack.

He's said it before, he is teaching them to master defence. Right now they're no good at a defensive game, but they have somewhat improved.

When they nail it, they will attack more

There's some dead wood at the club and we will see them gone at years end, and it could be drastic, a huge clean out

He will keep those than can / will play to his plan, he will draft those that can / will play to his plan

We have 3 guaranteed 1st round picks in this year’s apparent super draft. He will build a midfield from this draft IMO and teach and develop them on a fast track

I personally think we'll see improvement in the 2nd half of the year, we'll see massive improvement next year (wishful thinking perhaps but the way I see it)

I don't quite see it in the cynical way of a coach just trying to save their own skin, however I believe essentially your analysis is pretty on. Basically to me though, it is simply that he inherited a list and sure as the sky is blue he will not be thrilled with all the players. Therefore, this year is essentially teaching/weeding and next year is when the heat begins. He can get away with this year, and to a lesser extent next year, and after that there better be some improvement, or there will be some pain.

I agree with this. Don't think Neeld is necessarily thinking about contract renewals yet, but I think that would be something close to the plan he is aiming at. I just don't think he or anyone predicted how bad the short term pain would be.

Neeld can best be judged when he has his list. The current list has numerous holes seemingly for his liking. I expect a busy off-season and a serious turn around mid next year.

Clubs sack coaches when things go wrong with the teams performance and the board lose faith in the incumbent to resolve the issues.

A new coach is appointed amid much fanfare. The fans, desperate to move on from the previous years pain, buy into the new dream with gusto. The new coach gets a honeymoon, he rides the hope while saying "lot of work to be done", etc... we expect to rise. The coach knowing he's got a honeymoon with players and fans alike launches into the changes that he believes will bear fruit in his time. This is the cycle and half smart coach is aiming for, to peak when his contract is up for review.

So Neeld, is laying the foundations for finals footy, he knows that in 2014, the last of his current contract he needs the team to be heading up the ladder and into September to be certain that his tenure at Melbourne will continue. So the plan is plain...

Year 1 - Drive change hard and deep, teach and test all the players under the desired game plan. Move on those who won't help, recruit those who will. Recruit young Midfielders

Year 2 - Maintain standards, teach, develop and stabilise the group in the desired structure, roles and plays. Target recruitment at immediate needs to fill unexpected gaps in list.

Year 3 - Repeat year 2 with greater results. Target to peak toward the end of the season. Get contract extended by two years in July when Melb sit 11 - 3 in third spot on the ladder...

Thoughts? (aside from the obvious wishful thinking)

This seems to be the approach but it's complete rubbish. Sydney have been able to grab players from other clubs and continue to be competitive. Melbourne needs to give up on the youth motto. Dean Bailey was clearly seduced by potential. We need to grab seasoned players who are hungry and competitive.

It's clear to me that Neeld is willing to suffer pain this year due to your point on Year 1

At lot of coaches get the "luxury" of coming in and replacing a coach with a mature list (Chris Scott, Brenton Sanderson etc.)

Neeld has basically come in and had to change the ENTIRE program, as he saw it as not good enough to hold up in finals football (or even possibly make it to finals football)

There is a difference with what he is doing to what others have done

He's changing the game plan, radically. He's changing the training regime, radically. He's changing the players roles and mindset, radically.

A lot of people got a false sense of hope when Dean Bailey made the comment that whoever coaches Melbourne next year has a golden ticket to the finals

If the new coach kept the status quo, perhaps we would be in contention for the finals, but would we ever be in contention for a flag? Did we have the game plan for that?

Neeld clearly thinks not and has pretty much stripped everything back to the bare bones

I thought we saw a glimpse against Carlton on what is possible and what is to come

Yes, they didn't play their best football, but we actually saw some attack.

He's said it before, he is teaching them to master defence. Right now they're no good at a defensive game, but they have somewhat improved.

When they nail it, they will attack more

There's some dead wood at the club and we will see them gone at years end, and it could be drastic, a huge clean out

He will keep those than can / will play to his plan, he will draft those that can / will play to his plan

We have 3 guaranteed 1st round picks in this year’s apparent super draft. He will build a midfield from this draft IMO and teach and develop them on a fast track

I personally think we'll see improvement in the 2nd half of the year, we'll see massive improvement next year (wishful thinking perhaps but the way I see it)

Great and very accurate post! (IMO)

This seems to be the approach but it's complete rubbish. Sydney have been able to grab players from other clubs and continue to be competitive. Melbourne needs to give up on the youth motto. Dean Bailey was clearly seduced by potential. We need to grab seasoned players who are hungry and competitive.

Who??????and where from???????

This seems to be the approach but it's complete rubbish. Sydney have been able to grab players from other clubs and continue to be competitive. Melbourne needs to give up on the youth motto. Dean Bailey was clearly seduced by potential. We need to grab seasoned players who are hungry and competitive.

I think we need both. It's vital that new talent coming through has strong character, experienced players to look up at.

Who??????and where from???????

Use our 3 1st round picks on mids (J,Viney and 2 others)

Trade 2nd round pick to WC for a bloke like Koby Stevens. Good player, but finding it hard to get a game in their midfield

Offer up a package to Hawthorn of maybe player(s) (Sylvia?) and late picks for someone like Clinton Young

Float trading Bate to the Dogs (they wanted him last year - may have no interest now but could score us a late 2nd / early 3rd round pick to be used on a tall)

Target someone under free agency that will add some class (Goddard?)

However, this is probably a convo for another thread