Melbourne Business Community function 1/10/12

[Whispering_Jack 29,178]

I attended a forum conducted at AAMI Park this evening on the MFC's approach to free agency, trading and drafting. The Melbourne  Business Community function was hosted by Chris Connolly with speakers Mark Neeld and Tim Harrington.

Some of the general information about FA and trades has been published on the websites of the AFL or club or discussed at previous meetings while there were some mildly sensitive issues that can't really be expanded on publicly but no specific players who we were seeking over the next month or in the draft were named. 

Suffice to say we did gain an insight into the type of player the club is seeking but that was predictable. We should know by now that Neeld wants those who play hard contested football. He wants players who uncompromisingly want to be the best in the game. Those who are happy just to be AFL footballers need not apply. 

Neeld says things will be different in 2013. The players now know how they are expected to present themselves on 29 October when the pre season starts. The volume and intensity will be lifted from 60% to around 75% of the optimum as part of a 3 year plan to get the team up to the standard of the leading clubs. One of the innovations we will see is the introduction of combatative  training designed to harden players in mind and body.

Naturally there was discussion on players (there was the usual Jack Viney stuff but we need to wait seven days for the outcome) and while I won't elaborate here and now, it's clear that most of the rumours we've been hearing and reading about are simply not true.

I can say that we never made a 7 year offer for Cloke and were never seriously interested (for various different reasons) in the four free agents confirmed earlier today (Goddard, Pearce, Chaplin and Knights) or in Lynch or Tippett, nor has there been an offer made for Wellingham. In some cases to bid for these players at 8% of the salary cap is not warranted in the stage at which the club is at present. 

In short, the rumour files and such threads both here and elsewhere on the Internet are way, way off the mark. Some of the stuff is complete bollocks!

The club will get involved in the right deals and we should get what hopefully will be a good mix of 18 year olds and more seasoned players including possibly some from the state leagues but the scuttlebutt and innuendo is just that!

Anyway, I just wanted to say well done to the club for keeping us informed. The lack of any sizzling news might disappoint some but I was impressed at how these guys are sticking to what they call their "premiership plans" and persevering undaunted with their programme to rebuild this football club.

[Sir Why You Little 36,618]

Thanks WJ

[Redleg 40,077]

Perhaps we should change the name of the rumours thread to " More Sh-T from the Player Managers".

[Dr. Gonzo 23,700]

No offense to you as I appreciate your contribution and relaying info from these forums, but this sounds like absolute rubbish and the defense mechanism of a spurned lover. "Yeah but I never wanted them anyway" is the refrain of the loser after being laughed at when their advances are shot down. I believe we never offered 7 years for Cloke because that is just ridiculous rumour mill rubbish butto say we never seriously wanted Lynch or Knights or Wellingham or Tippett because they would cost too much is hilarious particularly in the case of Lynch and Knights.

Edit: Thanks for the info anyhow always good for the common supporter to know what the club is spruiking. Can't say I'm too happy about the 75% figure either but I understand it, I hope they're not just buying time though until the next mob comes along and reveals they were actually rubbish! These guys do have the runs on the board though so I have a bit more confidence in them in that department.

Edited October 1, 2012 by Dr. Gonzo

[fuchsia 37]

reasonable; thoughtful; professional;fair;believable; logical;

what's this form coming to..?

reinforces my lack of a need for a twitts social rabbiting & alcohol ..

very much appreciated.!!!

[Daz's Dee's 113]

Thanks WJ it's always reassuring to here the club wants and expects to be competing with the top clubs in all areas it's just a real shame we spent those early years of a rebuild trying not to win or what ever you want to call it. Those years under Bailey (who I do feel a little sorry for) will go down as the darkest days that almost destroyed the club.

Neeld and co sound as if they arnt looking for a quick fix which IMO is absolutely the right approach. Build it right the first time and the foundations will last. As for all the rumored players I am certain all of the players linked to us have been spoken about throughout the season but how many have actually developed into any serious consideration outside the walls of the MFC?

[stuie 7,374]

Thanks for the info WJ.

But... Geez I'm sick of words... "things will be different in 2013", give me a spell! Same time last year: "Hardest team to play against"...

I don't doubt the sincerity, but just effing do it, don't just talk about it.

And it seems a far cry to go from "We'll be active in the trade/FA period" to "The club will get involved in the right deals and we should get what hopefully will be a good mix of 18 year olds and more seasoned players including possibly some from the state league".

Just so frustrated with my beloved MFC...

[Whispering_Jack 29,178]

No offense to you as I appreciate your contribution and relaying info from these forums, but this sounds like absolute rubbish and the defense mechanism of a spurned lover. "Yeah but I never wanted them anyway" is the refrain of the loser after being laughed at when their advances are shot down. I believe we never offered 7 years for Cloke because that is just ridiculous rumour mill rubbish butto say we never seriously wanted Lynch or Knights or Wellingham or Tippett because they would cost too much is hilarious particularly in the case of Lynch and Knights.

There was some detailed explanation as to the reasons why they weren't interested and I've refrained from elaborating but it all made sense. To give you some food for thought - Goddard would have cost 8% of our salary cap and he's 27/8. Neil Craig coached Knights so would know a bit about him. Does anyone think we need another KPD and what do you think of Pearce?

That's all I'll say.

[Whispering_Jack 29,178]

Thanks for the info WJ.

But... Geez I'm sick of words... "things will be different in 2013", give me a spell! Same time last year: "Hardest team to play against"...

That was my own interpretation of many issues that were discussed and I highlighted the things that particularly interested me. Others might have interpreted things differently and to be fair this comment was really in response to a question about what will be different about 2013 or something to that effect.

They were being far more realistic than the pundits around here who would have us trading in 25 players and trading out 30 if you add all their speculative fantasies.

[stuie 7,374]

That was my own interpretation of many issues that were discussed and I highlighted the things that particularly interested me. Others might have interpreted things differently and to be fair this comment was really in response to a question about what will be different about 2013 or something to that effect.

They were being far more realistic than the pundits around here who would have us trading in 25 players and trading out 30 if you add all their speculative fantasies.

Fair enough mate. Just frustrated. Never felt so hopeless to be a Demon.

[Mono 455]

Any discussion on how we will spend our salary cap. By any measure, especially if Rivers leaves, we have $2m+ to play with.

We have to spend a minimum 92.5% of salary cap - currently we are way short.

[bing181 8,908]

There was some detailed explanation as to the reasons why they weren't interested and I've refrained from elaborating but it all made sense. To give you some food for thought - Goddard would have cost 8% of our salary cap and he's 27/8. Neil Craig coached Knights so would know a bit about him. Does anyone think we need another KPD and what do you think of Pearce?

That's all I'll say.

No need to justify yourself WJ, you know what it's like around here. Thanks again for the post and info.

[angrydee 842]

Thanks for the info WJ.

But... Geez I'm sick of words... "things will be different in 2013", give me a spell! Same time last year: "Hardest team to play against"...

I don't doubt the sincerity, but just effing do it, don't just talk about it.

And it seems a far cry to go from "We'll be active in the trade/FA period" to "The club will get involved in the right deals and we should get what hopefully will be a good mix of 18 year olds and more seasoned players including possibly some from the state league".

Just so frustrated with my beloved MFC...

They have to talk to the various supporter groups etc. Would you rather hear them say "well we've got a [censored] list, we don't think we can improve it much, and next year will be our worst yet.

We're all frustrated, but give them a break

[jackaub 1,402]

No offense to you as I appreciate your contribution and relaying info from these forums, but this sounds like absolute rubbish and the defense mechanism of a spurned lover. "Yeah but I never wanted them anyway" is the refrain of the loser after being laughed at when their advances are shot down. I believe we never offered 7 years for Cloke because that is just ridiculous rumour mill rubbish butto say we never seriously wanted Lynch or Knights or Wellingham or Tippett because they would cost too much is hilarious particularly in the case of Lynch and Knights.

Edit: Thanks for the info anyhow always good for the common supporter to know what the club is spruiking. Can't say I'm too happy about the 75% figure either but I understand it, I hope they're not just buying time though until the next mob comes along and reveals they were actually rubbish! These guys do have the runs on the board though so I have a bit more confidence in them in that department.

I am not too happy about the 60 % going to 75 % comment So what they are suggesting is that we have come from 50% and the tripe they served up during 2012 was 60%If that is so its a disgrace !You get 50% for just turning up dont youSo 2013 we will be at 75% 2014 ?% and 2015 ?%Sounds like spin to me.Anyway cant wait till we hit 100%. Should be magnificent!!

[Lucifers Hero 38,974]

'...In some cases to bid for these players at 8% of the salary cap is not warranted in the stage at which the club is at present'.

This part was music to my ears! Good to hear we aren't going to buy short-term gains. Sanity prevails at MFC.

Thanks for info.

[Jaded No More 67,636]

What was their reason for not going after Tippet.

I get all the other ones, but Tippet would be a great fit. He is only 25 and he is a big bodied forward.

If we don't at least inquire about his price it's a joke. If he ends up at GC then we know money won out and that would [censored] me off, because we too can offer him buckets of cash plus the chance to play on the G every week.

[Undeeterred 3,043]

Interesting - it seems odd to suggest that they were after none of them.After all the ho-ha about how we are going to go after players, who exactly is left when you take out that top tier?

Surely they didn't raise $750k to go after Cam Pedersen and Shannon Byrnes....

[Guest José Mourinho]

Bugger!

Just realised I totally forgot about this event and didn't attend.

I was really looking forward to it. Bloody disappointed about that.

Thanks to those who have done a write-up for the rest of us.

[Guest José Mourinho]

What was their reason for not going after Tippet.

I get all the other ones, but Tippet would be a great fit. He is only 25 and he is a big bodied forward.

If we don't at least inquire about his price it's a joke. If he ends up at GC then we know money won out and that would [censored] me off, because we too can offer him buckets of cash plus the chance to play on the G every week.

I imagine he'd cost way too much.

And Craig would once again have an insight into the player.

[Redleg 40,077]

What was their reason for not going after Tippet.

I get all the other ones, but Tippet would be a great fit. He is only 25 and he is a big bodied forward.

If we don't at least inquire about his price it's a joke. If he ends up at GC then we know money won out and that would [censored] me off, because we too can offer him buckets of cash plus the chance to play on the G every week.

He has said all along that he would stay at Crows or go home. He has family on the GC and bought a house there recently. We have already heard that GC and Lions have offered less than Crows. What do you mean if he goes to GC the money won out?

[Guest José Mourinho]

Mitch Clark?

[Dr. Gonzo 23,700]

There was some detailed explanation as to the reasons why they weren't interested and I've refrained from elaborating but it all made sense. To give you some food for thought - Goddard would have cost 8% of our salary cap and he's 27/8. Neil Craig coached Knights so would know a bit about him. Does anyone think we need another KPD and what do you think of Pearce?

That's all I'll say.

Thanks WJ. Again not having a go at you and appreciate your comments. I just find it hard to believe we haven't chased anyone. If not what was all that war chest talk about? I find it hard to believe we haven't at the very least had a crack at Lynch. And if they baulked at Tippett because of price they should realise we could afford to pay him close to an entire 4 year contract in year one so I wouldn't be too concerned about the 8% thing. Just seems like spin to me. Thanks for passing it on nonetheless.

[Radar Detector 1,347]

What was their reason for not going after Tippet.

I get all the other ones, but Tippet would be a great fit. He is only 25 and he is a big bodied forward.

If we don't at least inquire about his price it's a joke. If he ends up at GC then we know money won out and that would [censored] me off, because we too can offer him buckets of cash plus the chance to play on the G every week.

Neeld said he wold love to coach Tippet. But he also said we're still a fair way away from the situation where landing one big fish will be the difference between a flag or not, so spending $1m a season is not smart for us. Same rationale with Goddard, Cloke etc.

What he did say, as did Harrington, was that they will look to players from strong, successful clubs who can play in the side but also really lift the standards at training to the levels we require. Players who are happy to point the finger at teammates who don't work hard enough. Neeld singled out the value of acquiring James Sellar in this regard which surprised me.

[Radar Detector 1,347]

Thanks WJ. Again not having a go at you and appreciate your comments. I just find it hard to believe we haven't chased anyone. If not what was all that war chest talk about? I find it hard to believe we haven't at the very least had a crack at Lynch. And if they baulked at Tippett because of price they should realise we could afford to pay him close to an entire 4 year contract in year one so I wouldn't be too concerned about the 8% thing. Just seems like spin to me. Thanks for passing it on nonetheless.

I have to agree with WJ that everything they said made sense and it sounds like we have a solid plan that we're sticking too. Neeld's main priority seems to be accelerating the development of the 20 or so core players that he thinks will make us a very good side.

[rolly 149]

I am not too happy about the 60 % going to 75 % comment So what they are suggesting is that we have come from 50% and the tripe they served up during 2012 was 60%If that is so its a disgrace !You get 50% for just turning up dont youSo 2013 we will be at 75% 2014 ?% and 2015 ?%Sounds like spin to me.Anyway cant wait till we hit 100%. Should be magnificent!!

essendon this year should be a cautionary tale about pushing the boys too hard too soon.

If they really were in the abismal condition previously stated the building the base over a few years may be the only way to do it properly without a multitude of soft tissue injuries