Story here makes official what we all thought, that James McDonald will retire at seasons end (again).

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/afl/more-news/greater-western-sydney-want-its-piece-of-the-pies/story-e6frf9jf-1226418324625

Does anyone know if his 1 year contract covered both his playing and coaching roles? Would LOVE to get this guy back as our midfield coach!

Hopefully someone has already had a word in his ear about it, and maybe the way he was received at the GWS game would highlight how much he's respected around MFC still and encourage the move back.

You know what...I simply want the best and most influential person available to coach our mids in 2013. Im not sold on Choco at all to do anything really. He strikes me as capable at best, inspiring to greater heights? NO.Runs on the board... are there any ?

I have no idea as to Jnr's ability to coach. If he can then he might do well as an understudy to a more senior mid coach in 2013. Would be certainly a feel good story to welcome him back.

Story here makes official what we all thought, that James McDonald will retire at seasons end (again).

http://www.heraldsun...f-1226418324625

Does anyone know if his 1 year contract covered both his playing and coaching roles? Would LOVE to get this guy back as our midfield coach!

Hopefully someone has already had a word in his ear about it, and maybe the way he was received at the GWS game would highlight how much he's respected around MFC still and encourage the move back.

I dont know that great players necessarily make great coaches.

Wayne Carey great player......

You know what...I simply want the best and most influential person available to coach our mids in 2013. Im not sold on Choco at all to do anything really. He strikes me as capable at best, inspiring to greater heights? NO.Runs on the board... are there any ?

I have no idea as to Jnr's ability to coach. If he can then he might do well as an understudy to a more senior mid coach in 2013. Would be certainly a feel good story to welcome him back.

I want Cameron Ling. Reckon he will be a senior coach one day.

I love Junior but I'd rather a coach who has come from a successful club with a successful midfield.

I love Junior but I'd rather a coach who has come from a successful club with a successful midfield.

I agree. When we've been rubbish for the last however long I think the last thing we should be doing is being too insular.

Wayne Carey great player......

Different personality type (and player type for that matter).

Look at a lot of the recent success stories in coach, the players that they were were hard working and not necessarily the most gifted players. Great thinkers and doers.

I would like to have Junior back in some capacity, if nothing else I'd just like him back because he's a great clubman. But it would depend on him liking the gameplan that Neeld puts up and working within that system. My thoughts are he wouldn't have just left Melbourne to go to Sydney for a one year adventure, I imagine he'd like to stick around to mentor the young group.

He was employed as player / coach so is very likely hes only hanging up the boots; not leaving GWs

I'd love to get Jnr Mac back into the club in some development role, but the senior Coaches should come from Premiership Winning teams.

As a club we have to not get trapped into a "jobs for the mates" club. If he is the best available midfield coach by all means then yes, if not then go chase one who is highly recommended preferably one from a successful outfit.

We are after premierships, not to keep people happy.

Great bloke.

But better to get someone from a background of club success, ie. someone from outside.

Don't think Neeld is a believer of the MFC old boys club

I'm not suggesting it purely because he's a legend of MFC, but mainly because of the way he played, and taking into account the way GWS have played and the spirit they've shown, particularly around the midfield, and how much I'd love that around our boys.

For me, it doesn't matter he was a captain at MFC, what matters is HOW he has led wherever he has been, and the way he approached the game. I would have thought he would fit right in with the style of game Neeld is trying to bring to us.

I want Cameron Ling. Reckon he will be a senior coach one day.

I agree. I want Ling to replace Royal next year.

I agree. I want Ling to replace Royal next year.

I'd love Lingy too, but reckon he might have a case of the Garry Lyon's and want to stick around in a cushy media job, unless people have heard otherwise?

Would love to see Junior back at the club in some capacity.

If we landed Ling, I'd be absolutely stoked - I don't think we could hope for a better midfield coach.

I'd love Lingy too, but reckon he might have a case of the Garry Lyon's and want to stick around in a cushy media job, unless people have heard otherwise?

I'm sure Lingy said himself on TV a couple of weeks back that he intends to coach, maybe I heard wrong, been a bit busy of late!

Cameron Ling all the way!! Would be a great mentor to our midfield!

Given that Ling has very successful pubs and other businesses in Geelong (and not to mention a blooming media career), a venture into coaching would potentially be at a financial sacrifice. If he was to coach, he would be well aware of what he would be missing out on.

Wish other ex greats who could be v good coaches thought the same

Many of the comments above refer to the fact that Junior has not experienced a premieship or come from a successful side - that is fair enough. However, what we have is a bloke of limited natural ability who has made the most of his talents to play 250 + games of footy and earn respect everywhere. I reckon that is just the determination and desparation that our players need to learn.

Many of the comments above refer to the fact that Junior has not experienced a premieship or come from a successful side - that is fair enough. However, what we have is a bloke of limited natural ability who has made the most of his talents to play 250 + games of footy and earn respect everywhere. I reckon that is just the determination and desparation that our players need to learn.

Like your point of view. It's your avatar that I find unsettling though........

Edited July 6, 201213 yr by Moonshadow

Like your point of view. It's your avatar that I find unsettling though........

Funnily enough it also unsettles my wife!

Funnily enough it also unsettles my wife!

Stop stealing her make up then!

I dont mind who is midfield coach as long as it is not Royal. He says or shows nothing that makes me think he is any good.

Junior will be back when he is ready...if it is next year cool, but i think he would do well to sit in a coaches box for a full year...learn.

But i have no doubt he is a demon man in that heart of his.

Coach? id say he could slot back in when measured against the talent in our midfield