Oh no RB I saw the light but I was convinced it was a locomotive.

Now I think it is a bloke with a torch

Your right the second time OD,,, it is a bloke with a torch. Its Neeld coming out of the Hells Cavern, with Miners hat & light...

Too true - what we've lacked (that we had with Swooper Northey) was a great defensive game. Daniher was millionaire's row and Bailey...well, nuff said.

I think you're being a little unfair to Neale Daniher in that during the early years of his stint as coach, his style was generally what was required to get a taste of the finals but we were short in personnel to go all the way.

However, as the game evolved Daniher's game plan and style didn't keep pace with the development of the game. At the same time he tended to give too much latitude to his more established players, some of who became lazy and selfish, thereby laying the foundation for many of the problems we continue to face today. The framework of the side became emaciated and by the Bailey era, we simply didn't have the quality and we needed to go into an extensive rebuild.

In hindsight, I think Bailey's lot was made harder because he took over a team that needed possibly six years to develop and ... on top of that ... he never managed to catch up in terms of the best practicrs and the modern trends in the game.

Now, the question is whether Mark Neeld can coach successfully at the elite level. I think he has it right in theory with the much greater emphasis on defence but do we have what it takes to match it with the big boys? Time will tell.

Thanks to all those who took the time to report on Friday's session. Thanks to the tennis, we're back at Casey Fields on Monday.

how jimmy toumpas been going at training so far. all I have been hearing is that he has been in the rehab group most of the time? will he be right for NAB cup??

I think you're being a little unfair to Neale Daniher in that during the early years of his stint as coach, his style was generally what was required to get a taste of the finals but we were short in personnel to go all the way.

However, as the game evolved Daniher's game plan and style didn't keep pace with the development of the game. At the same time he tended to give too much latitude to his more established players, some of who became lazy and selfish, thereby laying the foundation for many of the problems we continue to face today. The framework of the side became emaciated and by the Bailey era, we simply didn't have the quality and we needed to go into an extensive rebuild.

In hindsight, I think Bailey's lot was made harder because he took over a team that needed possibly six years to develop and ... on top of that ... he never managed to catch up in terms of the best practicrs and the modern trends in the game.

Now, the question is whether Mark Neeld can coach successfully at the elite level. I think he has it right in theory with the much greater emphasis on defence but do we have what it takes to match it with the big boys? Time will tell.

Thanks to all those who took the time to report on Friday's session. Thanks to the tennis, we're back at Casey Fields on Monday.

I agree with this WJ.

Re: Neeld - I think his theory is correct. I have always believed that defence wins big football games, irrespective of the code: soccer, AFL, NRL, rugby, NFL.

I liked Bailey's style when it worked, but it was virtually never. Those wins against the Crows, Freo, the Swans and the Lions in his period were great to watch.

That said, I always felt it wasn't sustainable. And it proved not to be. There were many, many more losses, and they were generally pretty ugly. This would've been compounded had we actually made the finals during this period.

Neeld's approach, which ironically seems to be the opposite of Bailey's, seems a much better model to me.

Jimmy has been confined to lap work, ball handling and short sprint work for most of his short time at the club. He is building a fitness base and has had a few niggles. I would expect him to become part of the mainstream in the next few weeks.

The Second Verse

Oh, the team played fine in the year Thirty-nine,

We're the Demons that no one can lick, lick, lick

And you'll find us there at the final bell

With the spirit of Twenty-six, six, six.

Every heart beats true, for the Red and the Blue,

As we sing this song to you

(what do we sing)

Should old acquaintance be forgot

Keep your eye on the Red and the Blue

Why can't we get the AFL to play the second verse of our song after we win matches? Other teams are not so restricted!