2012 Player Reviews rally ho!

[picket fence 15,046]

So we have a coach who "Calls a spade a spade" Are the assistants of the same ilk? I wonder if Neeld believes the same thing which assistants write? I suppose he would. I wonder if Melbourne supporters in reviewing the appriasal given to Cale Morton's year feel the same way, and by association are we trying to build some confidence by producing a glowing endorsement because we don't want to hurt feelings? A bit like underage footy where each player is publically lauded! I'm not sure and those of you who saw more footy than I live might have an opinion, anyway judge for yourself on this example!!

.Cale Morton

Cale Morton broke into the AFL side and played eight games this year. He put together a real block of consistency, playing as an inside mid around Rounds 4, 5 and 6, and showed some real glimpses that he could develop into an inside midfielder. His ability to run and spread, and to get out in space, is as good as any player on our list, and Cale just needs to continue to develop his contested areas. Unfortunately he sustained a shoulder injury against Gold Coast, which interrupted the end part of his season, but Cale will have a strong summer, working on getting his strength back and getting his body ready again for an AFL season in 2013. Cale played a number of roles in the VFL - back, midfield, as a tagger - and again, just showed his versatility. Cale just needs to keep developing that consistency in his game. - Aaron Greaves (midfield development coach)

[Jonesbag 487]

_{His year wasnt that bad, give the kid a break}

[Dr. Mubutu 692]

You really think these puff pieces are regarded as gospel within the club?

These are more about giving the casual fan (i.e. those who don't read Demonland daily) an overall view of the player, in an obviously optimistic view, knowing the Club needs members to sign up next year.

Yeah, I can see it now.

Greaves - "Yeah, I've got the report on Cale Morton's season. Runs into 50 pages."

Burgan - "I'll just whack that up on the website, then. Cheers. Anything we can to give out information about the club to all and sundry."

Neeld - "Yep, that'll be just the thing he needs. And if we want to trade him, well, I'm sure other clubs will be just as forthcoming with their information about their players."

Viney - "That Pedersen kid looks alright, I'll check the North website to see what they think of him. Holy [censored], the report's glowing! Why wouldn't we trade for him?"

FMD.

[jabberwocky 2,301]

Amazed that anyone would need to state this but there is absolutely NOTHING to be gained by coming out and roasting a player publicly, particularly a contracted one.

[picket fence 15,046]

If you are right then I would wonder why bother to put this stuff up at all. Agree not in anyones interest to bag a player publically but I would rather the club then said nothing than peddle puff, after all I would suppose the majority of Demonland readers would/ should be able to see through smokescreens and mirrors! Or am I just thinking some just gobble up whatever is said from the club and take it as accurate?

Not sure Norm Smith would agree with this puff!

Edited September 26, 2012 by picket fence

[Dr. Mubutu 692]

If you are right then I would wonder why bother to put this stuff up at all. Agree not in anyones interest to bag a player publically but I would rather the club then said nothing than peddle puff, after all I would suppose the majority of Demonland readers would/ should be able to see through smokescreans and mirrors!

And that's just it. We're not the intended audience for these types of articles.

It's more the casual fan thinking 'Why even support this club? They're going nowhere!'

Trust me, you aren't going to win any of those over by saying: "Player X is a spud of the highest order, but he's got a contract so we'll just have to suck it up."

Edited September 26, 2012 by Dr. Mubutu

[jabberwocky 2,301]

paraphrased:

- could develop into an inside midfielder

- needs to develop his contested game

- needs to show consistency

when i get my kids to swallow a bitter pill i ask them to wash it down with a sweet drink

Edited September 26, 2012 by dandeeman

[satyricon 267]

If you are right then I would wonder why bother to put this stuff up at all. Agree not in anyones interest to bag a player publically but I would rather the club then said nothing than peddle puff, after all I would suppose the majority of Demonland readers would/ should be able to see through smokescreens and mirrors! Or am I just thinking some just gobble up whatever is said from the club and take it as accurate?

Not sure Norm Smith would agree with this puff!

Yes of course the majority of Demonland readers will be able to see through, every single one of them works at the Club every day, if you think it is a puff piece why bother reading it...nobody orders you to

...some of us like to read them, and take them as they were intended, as Dandeeman says, it is polite, I am sure Cale Morton knows exactly where he stands with the Coaches and it is only between him and the coaching staff that matters.....I have asked every player whether they read Demonland and every single one has told me they have been told NOT to read it.....so if you want to bash him feel free

[picket fence 15,046]

I think youve got it wrong! Not bashing Cale Morton at all ..My original query was to question the integrity of what the club is putting out! So is it Ok for the club to put out whatever it likes and we are expected to absorb and be like Winston out of 1984 and be fed any information and believe it, is that how it works? I would only ask this question then, How are we to take this information? Because if just informal for casual observation, then fair enough keep putting it out and I along with others will form my own opinions.

I personally hope Cale Morton can deliver as a number 4 draft pick should! I hope the appraisal turns out to be a sign of things to come!

I hope!!

Edited September 26, 2012 by picket fence

[jabberwocky 2,301]

If you are going to attack the integrity of the review, highlight the specific text that you take issue with. At the moment you are just waffling.

[satyricon 267]

I think youve got it wrong! Not bashing Cale Morton at all ..My original query was to question the integrity of what the club is putting out! So is it Ok for the club to put out whatever it likes and we are expected to absorb and be like Winston out of 1984 and be fed any information and believe it, is that how it works? I would only ask this question then, How are we to take this information? Because if just informal for casual observation, then fair enough keep outting it out and I along with others will form my own opinions.

I personally hope Cale Morton can deliver as a number 4 draft pick should! I hope the appraisal turns out to be a sign of things to come!

I hope!!

It is like any media these days mainly for information and entertainment, there is nothing in depth, the great journalists have gone to that great news room in the sky, a lot today is 'puff', I read it for a bit of a break from work, I have my own opinion of the players like everybody else and it is certainly not swayed by pieces like the review......geez have to go back and edit each piece these days...must be age

Edited September 26, 2012 by satyricon

[jackaub 1,402]

_{His year wasnt that bad, give the kid a break}

His year was appalling JB i cannot believe some on here rate his future

[jackaub 1,402]

And that's just it. We're not the intended audience for these types of articles.

It's more the casual fan thinking 'Why even support this club? They're going nowhere!'

Trust me, you aren't going to win any of those over by saying: "Player X is a spud of the highest order, but he's got a contract so we'll just have to suck it up."

Then say nothing just dont do it unless you can say something positive and constructive All who watched him play know exactly his strengths and weaknesses and dont need some vested interest trying hard to spin the unspinnable JUST DONT DO IT

[jnrmac 18,914]

Pretty hard to pay as an inside mid when you can't win a contested ball.

[rpfc 27,391]

Not sure Norm Smith would agree with this puff!

If Norm Smith saw that piece on the MFC website he would probably say:

"What is this magic box in front of me? A computer you say? But they are the size of a large, and yet affordable, house in Burwood! A house in Burwood is how much?!"

There is no point slagging blokes off on the effing website. Leave the bloke alone - he has heard it all and he is trying to turn it around. He doesn't need a public bake in September when he cannot do anything to respond.

[Deecisive 1,651]

I expect most footballers know when they stuff up, and why? constructive comments on how players can be better can be a positive, jobe watson got advice from someone that helped him turn himself around, who knows maybe some constructive advice to some of our players may help them. play the ball not the man.

[angrydee 842]

Cale had his post season review - same as everyone else.

The assessment wasn't written for him - hell, I can't even believe it was about him.

[Yossarian 1,808]

Either way, they're all painful to read.

[RalphiusMaximus 5,993]

I was really looking forward to these, but all they are giving us is fluff. If you believe this stuff then our entire list played well and every one of them is going to be huge next year after a big pre-season. Am I the only one feeling let down by the coaches over this?

[Je Roos Salem 661]

The way they talk about the players is cringe-worthy, like they're all equal. "Gysberts worked hard etc" "Gysberts was rewarded with a game in Round 19" Oh really? A promising high draft pick who's had 30 possessions in games, plays one game in a season, how about telling us what he did wrong to get dropped and why he is on the brink of leaving. I wouldn't say Frawley had a solid season either, seems to have gone a little backwards since his 2010 AA season

[Axis of Bob 10,158]

The reviews are useful and interesting if you don't mind reading between the lines.

If you need to be spoon fed then it won't be much use. I suggest trying religion.

[RalphiusMaximus 5,993]

The reviews are useful and interesting if you don't mind reading between the lines.

If you need to be spoon fed then it won't be much use. I suggest trying religion.

I do mind reading between the lines though. Yes, we can look at this and try to divine their hidden pearls of wisdom, but what I wanted from our coaches was an honest opinion on how the players under their care went. That is something they have not given us. Very poor form.

[bing181 8,149]

... what I wanted from our coaches was an honest opinion on how the players under their care went. That is something they have not given us.

Quietly astounded that anyone here would expect the club to go putting up in-depth, warts-and-all assessments of the players on a public web site. Heck, I bet even the players don't get to see other player's assessments, yet alone the general public. That kind of info is between each player and Neeld, Craig and perhaps their line coaches, presumably given in a closed meeting.

[satyricon 267]

After the kerfuffle, it beggars belief that some posters after reading the 'puff' and every other bit of media still don't get some things.

Frawley was carrying a quad injury all season....I know I asked him at the B&F, to get himself through the season was great in itself, and as the review says..... he needs a rest

Gysberts....everytime he was ready to go he hit another injury....he didn't do anything wrong, it's just he didn't have enough of a consistent run to have an impact

Jame Bennell...have had a few chats with him, the review was spot on, he was given things to work on as he was lacking in those areas, he went away and worked on them, just got himself back in the side after working hard at Casey and got the knee injury

[Guest bluey]

Appears we won't be delisting anyone going on those summaries.