Trade Talk, Supporter Fatigue and Neeld's Catch-22

[Guest José Mourinho]

Really?

The fact we'll be heavily involved in the coming draft doesn't interest you?

The opportunity to select Todd Viney's highly rated son and the varying ways we could select him don't interest you?

Improving the list and the tools we have to do that, don't interest you?

I can't fathom that.

[The heart beats true 18,110]

Gees Jose, even when someone comments on your post without disagreeing with you you still look for a reason to argue.

And to imply im not interested in the draft is daft and the opposite of what I said. I just said that your list of extenuating circumstances wasn't creating more interest for me. I was only looking forward to the draft because we aren't competitive.

But please spend more of your time trying to turn comments into arguments. You're making a career of it.

[Guest José Mourinho]

You're the one that said it.

[Moonshadow 17,675]

Now, now, children....

[Nasher 33,607]

What about Blease, Watts, Morton, Strauss? These are all first round selections that at some stage we all would've said "imagine when they start playing with <<insert senior players names>>". Now I'm hearing "add Viney, Toumpass, Wines, etc to our list and it's starting to look alright". When will it stop? Then people are still wanting to trade for the 17 year old draft.

When will it stop? It'll stop when one of these first rounders finally turns in to a star, or isn't perpetually injured, or doesn't have some severe limitation, or isn't just plain old "sheet" at top level footy.

In the eyes of many on this forum there's no reason to believe that this round of talent we're bringing in will be any less limited than the last or the last before that going all the way back to taking Travis in 98, but in my eyes there's equally no reason to believe it will pan out the same way. In fact I'd go one step further and say this next batch has to be top class - because believing anything else is believing that we're doomed to fail. The day that becomes my way of thinking is the day I give up watching altogether.

[bing181 9,194]

In fact I'd go one step further and say this next batch has to be top class - because believing anything else is believing that we're doomed to fail.

Or ... that the coaching, facilities and development around these drafted players has to be top class or we're doomed to fail.

[felixdacat 459]

Honestly, if we hit June next year and the threads on this board are once again dominated by talk of October trading and November drafting, I envisage a huge drop off in supporter interest.

This likely scenario is worrying as it may force Neeld and co to approach this off season with a 'short-term' fix approach over purely selecting the best available youngsters. We are already hearing noises to this effect from the club with their apparent willingness to offer up prized draft picks and entice Travis Cloke to the club.

No doubt Neeld will have taken note of Bailey's fate and won't want to go down the same path. Problem is, this draft is apparently replete with top end talent that stands us a good chance of unearthing some stars if we play our cards right. Still, even top end talent in a supposed 'super draft' will take time to develop, time Neeld may feel he may not be afforded if Melbourne have another disastrous season in '013.

An extremely tricky catch-22 is developing here for the MFC. What to do?

I am confident that the above scenario will not happen, I don't like to deal with "what if's" to much because I have better things to waste my time on (like posting late at night on D'land instead of going to bed). I believe the catch 22 you are talking about will not eventuate. Nothing in what the coach or the club has said makes me think that they will go for the short term approach. With proper preparation, hard work and development the players we have can be competitive. There are some fringe players that will be delisted at seasons end, of that I have no doubt but to think that we will be in the same boat at this time next year I don't see that happening.

If it does happen...then please refer to McQueen #11.

[tonatopia 278]

I still can't see what neeld is doing. The game plan does not look effective. How long will it take to click. I do not have the patience to waste 2013 on 'hoping' that neeld can coach. I have heard so many excuses in the last 5 years that I can't stomach any more.

Let's see how we go against Fremantle. Another thumping is inexcusable.