Whats goin on down there?

[DeeZee 6,913]

If i had 50 cents for the amount of times people ask me," whats goin on down there", when its revealed i am a Melboune supporter, id have $972.50 by now!

I have two stock standard answers for them depending on what mood im in.

1. Its the senior players not pulling their weight...the likes of Sylvia, Moloney and Davey.

2 We are just not good enough

[daisycutter 28,728]

If i had 50 cents for the amount of times people ask me," whats goin on down there", when its revealed i am a Melboune supporter, id have $972.50 by now!

I have two stock standard answers for them depending on what mood im in.

1. Its the senior players not pulling their weight...the likes of Sylvia, Moloney and Davey.

2 We are just not good enough

just tell people it's rude to talk about "down there"

(unless drunk or stoned or in a relationship)

[Forest Demon 4,681]

I had a mate who loosely follows footy ask me whether we were going to fold, all because he had watched AFL 360 one night and apparently Mark Robinson had sunk the slipper into us. That is why I hate [censored] journalism, because people who don't know better believe what they hear or read, because they have no reason not to.

Note: I'm not saying they shouldn't have a go at us about the state of our football team, and even certain ways the club is run, but there seems to be many out there who seem to think we are on life support as a club because it is sensational and sells papers.

[mauriesy 6,928]

Tell them we are building

a: A nuclear-powered battleship

b: A luxury cruise ship

c: The Titanic

Take your pick.

[DeeZee 6,913]

Tell them we are building

a: A nuclear-powered battleship

b: A luxury cruise ship

c: The Titanic

Take your pick.

very funny ...like this one.

[Ron Burgundy 8,584]

If i had 50 cents for the amount of times people ask me," whats goin on down there", when its revealed i am a Melboune supporter, id have $972.50 by now!

I have two stock standard answers for them depending on what mood im in.

1. Its the senior players not pulling their weight...the likes of Sylvia, Moloney and Davey.

2 We are just not good enough

This has perhaps been covered to death previously (apologies if it has), but does anyone know why Moloney wanted to be traded to the Dons last year.

Some people have said this was being openly discussed at last year's B&F night - and some Dons' supporting mates of mine said they thought it was a done deal, and that it only collapsed at the 12th hour.

If true, this preceded Neeld's decision to drop him from the leadership group. I'd like to know what his angst with the club was last year, particularly having just won the B&F.

[juzzk1d 1,354]

I tell you what, the hole goes deeper than what we all think, I'm not allowed to comment on what I know specifically but just leave it at that. Just wait till the end of the year I guarantee you all 100% there will be a huge list change. Until then its about getting the set ups, stoppages, and fundamentals right before we move forward.

[Cheap Seats 3,308]

I tell you what, the hole goes deeper than what we all think, I'm not allowed to comment on what I know specifically but just leave it at that. Just wait till the end of the year I guarantee you all 100% there will be a huge list change. Until then its about getting the set ups, stoppages, and fundamentals right before we move forward.

I'll start by saying I don't know............ But personally I assume there is a big problem at the club at the moment and it has built up over the last 12 months.

The sooner the clean out happens the happier I will be.

Whoever or whatever the issues is/are they need to f'off and let this club rebuild with everyone pulling in the one direction - winning f'n football games.

I am sick of the ego shite at the club - get rid of 'em

[Bitter but optimistic 21,597]

I had a mate who loosely follows footy ask me whether we were going to fold, all because he had watched AFL 360 one night and apparently Mark Robinson had sunk the slipper into us. That is why I hate [censored] journalism, because people who don't know better believe what they hear or read, because they have no reason not to.

Note: I'm not saying they shouldn't have a go at us about the state of our football team, and even certain ways the club is run, but there seems to be many out there who seem to think we are on life support as a club because it is sensational and sells papers.

The mention of Mark Robinson has a purgative effect on me. I cannot stand his simpering manner. I honestly believe he has little clue about the realities of playing football.

[Guest Jackie]

The Carbon Tax has impacted on the thermal efficiency of hell.

[Nascent 7,788]

I tell you what, the hole goes deeper than what we all think, I'm not allowed to comment on what I know specifically but just leave it at that. Just wait till the end of the year I guarantee you all 100% there will be a huge list change. Until then its about getting the set ups, stoppages, and fundamentals right before we move forward.

Taking you on face value and what you're saying is true (which doesn't take much to believe)... in your opinion do you think a huge list turnover will, by and large, remedy the problems down at our club? Or would I be too niave to think that a player list change will solve anything? From where I sit, Mark Neeld is testing the players physically and mentally to see who has the resiliance to stand up under pressure and put in 100% effort for 4 quarters. At the moment, not many people would be passing the test. Just my thoughts.

Edited June 2, 2012 by Nascent

[Redleg 38,641]

This has perhaps been covered to death previously (apologies if it has), but does anyone know why Moloney wanted to be traded to the Dons last year.

Some people have said this was being openly discussed at last year's B&F night - and some Dons' supporting mates of mine said they thought it was a done deal, and that it only collapsed at the 12th hour.

If true, this preceded Neeld's decision to drop him from the leadership group. I'd like to know what his angst with the club was last year, particularly having just won the B&F.

And it also followed his disgraceful behaviour in a bar in the early hours. Poor public behaviour and wanted to leave, ( if true ), yes a real leader.

[Face Your Demons 175]

Tell them were just get the money on first.

Have a good feeling about tonight, but i have they every week.

[juzzk1d 1,354]

Taking you on face value and what you're saying is true (which doesn't take much to believe)... in your opinion do you think a huge list turnover will, by and large, remedy the problems down at our club? Or would I be too niave to think that a player list change will solve anything? From where I sit, Mark Neeld is testing the players physically and mentally to see who has the resiliance to stand up under pressure and put in 100% effort for 4 quarters. At the moment, not many people would be passing the test. Just my thoughts.

Hardwick came in and changed the culture, line up and recruited players who have been an asset to this years success at Richmond. Going from recent events and the way we have been traveling with our senior players over the years I think its the only avenue we now have left to address.

Senior players make a statement to the younger guys. Whether that would be in the football world or any other working department. You come into an office, your fresh young and you witness the way in which your fellow colleagues who are veterans go about their work. If they are lazy, ill-minded and care more about themselves than the company - that has a domino effect on all the younger and newer employees coming in. I know for sure if I can get away with doing no work evidently shown by others not working I wouldn't do work.

It's not just the senior players down at the club who are in strife, from what I know there are a few players who have questioned Mark Neelds experience and game plan and have been completely shunned by the club this year and consequently have had injuries labelled for the reasoning of them not playing.

It's a negative culture at the moment which must be changed at seasons end.

Edited June 2, 2012 by juzzk1d

[Nascent 7,788]

Hardwick came in and changed the culture, line up and recruited players who have been an asset to this years success at Richmond. Going from recent events and the way we have been traveling with our senior players over the years I think its the only avenue we now have left to address.

Senior players make a statement to the younger guys. Whether that would be in the football world or any other working department. You come into an office, your fresh young and you witness the way in which your fellow colleagues who are veterans go about their work. If they are lazy, ill-minded and care more about themselves than the company - that has a domino effect on all the younger and newer employees coming in. I know for sure if I can get away with doing no work evidently shown by others not working I wouldn't do work.

It's not just the senior players down at the club who are in strife, from what I know there are a few players who have questioned Mark Neelds experience and game plan and have been completely shunned by the club this year and consequently have had injuries labelled for the reasoning of them not playing.

It's a negative culture at the moment which must be changed at seasons end.

Hmmmm, explains why a few have been languishing at VFL or haven't been seen at all. A massive culture change is needed and those that you are alluding to must be the first to go unless they can change their attitude and "buy in" to what Neeld is trying to achieve. Sadly I think most will be set in their ways.

Btw thanks for sharing what info you could, really appreciate it. Interesting times ahead.

[Macca 16,174]

Hardwick came in and changed the culture, line up and recruited players who have been an asset to this years success at Richmond. Going from recent events and the way we have been traveling with our senior players over the years I think its the only avenue we now have left to address.

Senior players make a statement to the younger guys. Whether that would be in the football world or any other working department. You come into an office, your fresh young and you witness the way in which your fellow colleagues who are veterans go about their work. If they are lazy, ill-minded and care more about themselves than the company - that has a domino effect on all the younger and newer employees coming in. I know for sure if I can get away with doing no work evidently shown by others not working I wouldn't do work.

It's not just the senior players down at the club who are in strife, from what I know there are a few players who have questioned Mark Neelds experience and game plan and have been completely shunned by the club this year and consequently have had injuries labelled for the reasoning of them not playing.

It's a negative culture at the moment which must be changed at seasons end.

An interesting post 'juzzk1d' and the 1st bit I've highlighted is what a lot of people might do in a similar situation .

So ...........the young players at our club have a decision to make . Do they want to be the best footballer they want to be and do they want to stand up and make a name for themselves ? Or do they look at the 'Example setters' and decide "That will do me" . Blease has stuck his name up in the last 2 weeks so hopefully the other young players look at him and say to themselves "I want to do what he's doing"

Giving in to peer pressure is often a wrong decision . I keep hearing 'ad nauseum' about how our senior players are poor and are setting a bad example but how about the younger players show a bit of pride in performance ? Watching Richmond's 2nd and 3rd efforts last night proved to me (once again) that our players 'effort' is just not there . They can all turn it around if they want to but a good start would be to stop looking for excuses .

Your post is probably correct though , because peer pressure so often wins out . It's a fact of life . Blease is bucking the trend and I hope like hell he continues to and others follow his lead . Watts has shown some signs as well , across half back .

A clean-out at the end of the season is possibly/probably needed , which goes along with your last sentence that I've highlighted .

Edited June 2, 2012 by Macca

[Guest José Mourinho]

Tell them we are building

a: A nuclear-powered battleship

b: A luxury cruise ship

c: The Titanic

Take your pick.

The Costa Concordia..?

Some would say that makes Schwab play the role of Schettino...

Edited June 2, 2012 by José Mourinho

[praha 10,575]

I'm leaning more towards the "we're not good enough" excuse, in that the players aren't good enough for a gameplan formulated by someone that knows what it takes to win.

Says a lot about Bailey.

[stuie 7,374]

I'm leaning more towards the "we're not good enough" excuse, in that the players aren't good enough for a gameplan formulated by someone that knows what it takes to win.

Says a lot about Bailey.

Bailey won 8 games last year without Magner and Clark, arguably two of our best players so far.

Neeld has won 0.

That says alot about Bailey too, but too many choose to ignore it.

Stop slagging off our former coach who did his best with what he had. It was time for a change, but I'm so sick of people sinking the boot in to him.

[Dr. Gonzo 22,846]

Bailey was [censored], we should've gone with Sheedy. Accept it and move on.

[stuie 7,374]

Bailey was [censored], we should've gone with Sheedy. Accept it and move on.

Weak to bag out a guy that swallowed his pride to do what was considered best for us by our board.

Sure, wasn't the coach for us going forward, but at least there were some wins and some exciting footy occasionally, haven't seen any of that this year yet.

Edited June 2, 2012 by stuie

[Guest Jackie]

I don't think now Bailey was the cause of our problems. It must be remembered we were going along quite well in the middle of 2010 and not much different to where Richmond are now. Then something happened at the club and followed by a steady decline turning into a dramatic free fall. At a time about 18 months ago I thought he may have been the problem for our listless performances but it is clear to me now he has been made a scapegoat for problems beyond his control and I fear the same is in Neeld's destiny.

Edited June 2, 2012 by Jackie

[Supermercado 2,682]

Bailey was [censored], we should've gone with Sheedy. Accept it and move on.

Would we have got Mark Williams thrown in to do the actual coaching?

[stuie 7,374]

I don't think now Bailey was the cause of our problems. It must be remembered were were going along quite well in the middle of 2010 and not much different to where Richmond are now. Then something happened at the club and followed by a steady decline turning into a dramatic free fall. At a time about 18 months ago I thought he may have been the problem for our listless performances but it is clear to me now he has been made a scapegoat for problems beyond his control.

Don't turn every thread into Schwabb bashing because you have that agenda Jackie, get the feeling you're on thin ice at Demonland

[Guest Jackie]

Don't turn every thread into Schwabb bashing because you have that agenda Jackie, get the feeling you're on thin ice at Demonland

So be it. I look forward to this club moving forward again when appropriate action is taken. Everything else are side issues at this moment of crisis. That's all I care about.

Edited June 2, 2012 by Jackie