Mongrel and hardness - are we finally starting to see it?

[Hatchman 539]

These are two things I'm starting to notice about the way we go about it that I have not seen in a long time.

I don't doubt Neeld and co are to thank for this but I also believe that under Grimes, Trengove, Clark and the other members of the leadership group we are seeing a team that runs out each week whose mental dynamic has really changed.

I'm feeling positive about the future more and more each week now.

[praha 11,253]

Definitely. I am also more positive.

There still remain concerns: major brain farts happening in the back half that even teams like GWS are going to punish you for. Best way to counter these are I guess to respond on the other end, which the team did yesterday.

[Bingo 305]

I personally loved seeing Jones running in to fly the flag for one of our captains!

We need more of this....alternatively, i'd like to have seen Watts at least try and rough up/jumper punch Nathan Wilson (i think it was him) I remember him having tatts.

It was near the start of the match and Wilson was getting into Watts, bumping him and what not. Watts just stood there and took it. Wilson according to his Profile is 185cm and 74kg. I know this type of attention doesn't seem to affect Watts, he just goes about the game...just would have been nice to see Watts put someone back in their box...considering it was only Wilson's 4th game...

[Deestroy All 14,266]

It's good to see, even Tom McDonald was nasty all day.

We've got a fair bit of c@#$ on every line now, with some enforcers and some annoying blokes. We just need that small crumbing forward that everyone (else) hates.

As for going hard at the ball, I've liked what I've seen for most of the year, if anything we've had too many going in at the one time, it's getting better.

[dee-luded 2,959]

These are two things I'm starting to notice about the way we go about it that I have not seen in a long time.

I don't doubt Neeld and co are to thank for this but I also believe that under Grimes, Trengove, Clark and the other members of the leadership group we are seeing a team that runs out each week whose mental dynamic has really changed.

I'm feeling positive about the future more and more each week now.

I can see what your talking about & I hope it's just the Beginning.

Not a flash in the proverbial Pan.

Even Aaron tackled & brought down his quarry yesterday instead of playing tag. And seemed to look proud, I hope so.

We've a long way to go to get to some sort of inhospitable Ways out on the park, but I'm hopefull. Niceness is nice, & Footy is played on an arena surrounded by fences for a reason.

Lets be nice, the day after a games finished.

[rpfc 28,966]

It's good to see, even Tom McDonald was nasty all day.

We've got a fair bit of c@#$ on every line now, with some enforcers and some annoying blokes. We just need that small crumbing forward that everyone (else) hates.

As for going hard at the ball, I've liked what I've seen for most of the year, if anything we've had too many going in at the one time, it's getting better.

That's when we get belted - our players think 'stacks on!' while the other team just farms it out the back and finds loose men everywhere.

And McDonald should always try to get into his opponent - when he doesn't and something goes wrong you can see him crack the sads and just explode into Alistair Nicholson Hulk-style all over the Punt Rd End...

Love the demeanour of the captains too - there are just self-confident blokes who are humble off the field but leaders on it. Never see them with their heads down or whinging. Body language is important!

[Deestroy All 14,266]

That's when we get belted - our players think 'stacks on!' while the other team just farms it out the back and finds loose men everywhere.

Love the demeanour of the captains too

That has driven me crazy all year, pretty sure it's what landed me in ICU in April. That, and everyone go up in the marking contest! ...2 of theirs stay down...

+1

[rpfc 28,966]

That has driven me crazy all year, pretty sure it's what landed me in ICU in April. That, and everyone go up in the marking contest! ...2 of theirs stay down...

Absolutely, and the worst part is that I get on here and it's all Neeld's instruction to do this and he is an idiot (Pre-Essendon game), and then Neeld changed, or 'tweaked,' (rpfc posts chuckling to himself) it and he is good now (post-Essendon)...

As if any coach says "ok, when Brent is on the ground with one opponent trying to get the ball I want Nathan, James, and Jack to jump on top of him and let 3 opponents slip away with the footy because they are the only ones who aren't embroiled in a massive clusterf--- of Demon jumpers"...

[Deestroy All 14,266]

As if any coach says "ok, when Brent is on the ground with one opponent trying to get the ball I want Nathan, James, and Jack to jump on top of him and let 3 opponents slip away with the footy because they are the only ones who aren't embroiled in a massive clusterf--- of Demon jumpers"...

Stop giving away our gameplan, the HUN will print it.

[Ricky P 757]

Agree with the OP. Even against Hawthorn, when we got flogged, in the first quarter we were nasty and actually bullied them. And it's developed from there I reckon.

[rpfc 28,966]

I personally loved seeing Jones running in to fly the flag for one of our captains!

We need more of this....alternatively, i'd like to have seen Watts at least try and rough up/jumper punch Nathan Wilson (i think it was him) I remember him having tatts.

It was near the start of the match and Wilson was getting into Watts, bumping him and what not. Watts just stood there and took it. Wilson according to his Profile is 185cm and 74kg. I know this type of attention doesn't seem to affect Watts, he just goes about the game...just would have been nice to see Watts put someone back in their box...considering it was only Wilson's 4th game...

I would prefer our players not react.

The reason Davey got so much attention for the years he was our premier mid was because other teams knew he would just react and get distracted.

[Bingo 305]

I would prefer our players not react.

The reason Davey got so much attention for the years he was our premier mid was because other teams knew he would just react and get distracted.

Fair point...but in this instance i thought it may have been well worth it...put a cocky twig playing his 4th game back in his box.

[Chook in Perth 2,109]

Got this in an email from an 'Ologist this morning:

I went to an after match last night as a representative of the QLd Demons. Towards the end of the night I approached Nathan Jones.I asked him why he was so incensed when Grimes was bowled over.

He looked at me right in the eyes and I thought oh fark I’ve upset him.

He said, "It was late and he is my captain. The flag had to be flown."

I told him its been a long time since I have been prouder of a Melbourne player.

He said thanks and shook my hand.

[binman 44,734]

Absolutely, and the worst part is that I get on here and it's all Neeld's instruction to do this and he is an idiot (Pre-Essendon game), and then Neeld changed, or 'tweaked,' (rpfc posts chuckling to himself) it and he is good now (post-Essendon)...

As if any coach says "ok, when Brent is on the ground with one opponent trying to get the ball I want Nathan, James, and Jack to jump on top of him and let 3 opponents slip away with the footy because they are the only ones who aren't embroiled in a massive clusterf--- of Demon jumpers"...

I'm not sure if you are quoting me RP with the "tweaking" reference but seeing i put that word in a recent post i am assuming you are. To be clear i wasn't referring to his game plan i was referring to his man management, in particular how he has managed his senior players. As i have said on a number of occasions he appears to have, softened is the wrong word, but certainly eased up on the stern tough guy talk and seems to be taking a more inclusive approach. The players are really playing from him and i applaud a coach who is man enough to change and adapt.

[Deestroy All 14,266]

Got this in an email from an 'Ologist this morning:

I went to an after match last night as a representative of the QLd Demons. Towards the end of the night I approached Nathan Jones.I asked him why he was so incensed when Grimes was bowled over.

He looked at me right in the eyes and I thought oh fark I’ve upset him.

He said, "It was late and he is my captain. The flag had to be flown."

I told him its been a long time since I have been prouder of a Melbourne player.

He said thanks and shook my hand.

Nice.

[sue 9,240]

I personally loved seeing Jones running in to fly the flag for one of our captains!

We need more of this....alternatively, i'd like to have seen Watts at least try and rough up/jumper punch Nathan Wilson (i think it was him) I remember him having tatts.

It was near the start of the match and Wilson was getting into Watts, bumping him and what not. Watts just stood there and took it. Wilson according to his Profile is 185cm and 74kg. I know this type of attention doesn't seem to affect Watts, he just goes about the game...just would have been nice to see Watts put someone back in their box...considering it was only Wilson's 4th game...

I'd have thought not responding to bites from a flea shows the appropriate level of contempt for the flea.

[Hatchman 539]

Got this in an email from an 'Ologist this morning:

I went to an after match last night as a representative of the QLd Demons. Towards the end of the night I approached Nathan Jones.I asked him why he was so incensed when Grimes was bowled over.

He looked at me right in the eyes and I thought oh fark I’ve upset him.

He said, "It was late and he is my captain. The flag had to be flown."

I told him its been a long time since I have been prouder of a Melbourne player.

He said thanks and shook my hand.

That's brilliant thanks for sharing mate

[rpfc 28,966]

I'm not sure if you are quoting me RP with the "tweaking" reference but seeing i put that word in a recent post i am assuming you are. To be clear i wasn't referring to his game plan i was referring to his man management, in particular how he has managed his senior players. As i have said on a number of occasions he appears to have, softened is the wrong word, but certainly eased up on the stern tough guy talk and seems to be taking a more inclusive approach. The players are really playing from him and i applaud a coach who is man enough to change and adapt.

No, 'tweak' has been said by a few on here. Wasn't direceted at anyone.

Nothing is black and white and while I agree that Neeld's focus on defensive structures may have been 'tweaked,' the fact that we have gone from averaging 150 uncontested possessions before the Sydney game to over 210 since is more the players 'tweaking,' and spreading and pushing, and trusting their teammates and not playing stupid football by going 'stacks on' in a stoppage, or 4-men in a marking contest. No-one instructs players to do this, no-one tells the players not to trust the bloke with the footy and jump in to 'help' him or not have faith in someone to spoil so they go up aswell.

It's on the players to do these simple things and they are thankfully doing them now, as evidenced by the relative explosion of 'cheap' footy they are finding.

[binman 44,734]

No, 'tweak' has been said by a few on here. Wasn't direceted at anyone.

Nothing is black and white and while I agree that Neeld's focus on defensive structures may have been 'tweaked,' the fact that we have gone from averaging 150 uncontested possessions before the Sydney game to over 210 since is more the players 'tweaking,' and spreading and pushing, and trusting their teammates and not playing stupid football by going 'stacks on' in a stoppage, or 4-men in a marking contest. No-one instructs players to do this, no-one tells the players not to trust the bloke with the footy and jump in to 'help' him or not have faith in someone to spoil so they go up aswell.

It's on the players to do these simple things and they are thankfully doing them now, as evidenced by the relative explosion of 'cheap' footy they are finding.

Ok thanks for the clarification. I agree having faith your teammate will win the ball etc is a player responsibility, though i would say trust is often a function of the whole culture at the club. A unified strong club on and off the field will more likely have players who trust each other on field.

I would also i have no doubt the increased uncontested possession count is also a function of an easing in the training load meaning they are fresher in the game and more able to run hard to space, something which as been very evident the last 3 matches

[monoccular 17,701]

Great stuff from Jones in particular. It would be great to see how / if it all happens against a hard nosed "adult" team NB Hawthorn who have bullied us for years.

Big progression from the early rounds.

[The Song Formerly Known As 6,479]

Got this in an email from an 'Ologist this morning:

I went to an after match last night as a representative of the QLd Demons. Towards the end of the night I approached Nathan Jones.I asked him why he was so incensed when Grimes was bowled over.

He looked at me right in the eyes and I thought oh fark I’ve upset him.

He said, "It was late and he is my captain. The flag had to be flown."

I told him its been a long time since I have been prouder of a Melbourne player.

He said thanks and shook my hand.

That to me is a sign that players are starting to properly gel and

care about one another and wanting to work together as a team instead of individuals. Teams win premierships, not individuals.

[Bingo 305]

I'd have thought not responding to bites from a flea shows the appropriate level of contempt for the flea.

Maybe....maybe on the other hand the flea thinks that Watts is an easy target because he doesn't stick up for himself.

Got this in an email from an 'Ologist this morning:

I went to an after match last night as a representative of the QLd Demons. Towards the end of the night I approached Nathan Jones.I asked him why he was so incensed when Grimes was bowled over.

He looked at me right in the eyes and I thought oh fark I’ve upset him.

He said, "It was late and he is my captain. The flag had to be flown."

I told him its been a long time since I have been prouder of a Melbourne player.

He said thanks and shook my hand.

People are enjoying how Jones flew the flag for Grimes and the MFC...well what's wrong with wanting Watts to fly the flag for himself and show that the time is coming where the MFC are no pushovers. Last time i checked this is AFL...not netball.

[DEELIGHTED 16]

I'd have thought not responding to bites from a flea shows the appropriate level of contempt for the flea.

There is also nothing worse than trying annoy the F%$# out of a player and get no response. Also you the annoyer looks pretty silly if they keep going when the "victim" just ignores it and goes and gets the footy.

[Chook in Perth 2,109]

People are enjoying how Jones flew the flag for Grimes and the MFC...well what's wrong with wanting Watts to fly the flag for himself and show that the time is coming where the MFC are no pushovers. Last time i checked this is AFL...not netball.

Football clubs are made up of a myriad of size, shapes and personalities.

Watts isn't a bash and crash merchant prone to getting into dick measuring push and shoves. He's not programmed that way for the simple fact that he has beaten every opponent his whole life with skill and athleticism.

I don't want him to change. I want him to keep thinking he's better than everyone else.

If I wanted a faux tough guy I'd go down the beach for a chat with Phil Read.

[rpfc 28,966]

Maybe....maybe on the other hand the flea thinks that Watts is an easy target because he doesn't stick up for himself.

People are enjoying how Jones flew the flag for Grimes and the MFC...well what's wrong with wanting Watts to fly the flag for himself and show that the time is coming where the MFC are no pushovers. Last time i checked this is AFL...not netball.

Different circumstances.

They wanted to get Watts distracted, he didn't buy in.

Jones stood up and over for his captain and his club.

They are not the same at all.