This is worse than Round 1, 2012

[P-man 13,366]

Just realised something. Wasn't Magner BOG for us against Brisbane in Round 1 last year?

That would make two years in a row where the best player was a first gamer. That is seriously damning.

[Harrisonrules 273]

and who the [censored] is gonna replace Neeld as coach?? you cant make chicken soup outta chicken [censored]. we are 10 years behind any other club

Craig.

Neeld has brought a club structure to the club. He's an organisational man.

Listen to him speak and he is as flat as a tack. Not everyone is a contagious/inspirational speaker. Some in fact sap the energy out of others. I'm now suspecting that he is one such speaker. We went out flat for game one both last year and now this year. Last year it took 10 games to win one. If he is a counterproductive speaker it is very possible that something similar will happen this year. After an excellent off season why would we play so flat and lethargic. Don't just jump to the first suggestion of players not trying. That's lazy reflection.

Edited March 31, 2013 by Harrisonrules

[DeeZee 7,397]

Just realised something. Wasn't Magner BOG for us against Brisbane in Round 1 last year?

That would make two years in a row where the best player was a first gamer. That is seriously damning.

It means they come to the club with something special inside of them, and slowly but surely we take it from them.

We turn promising young men into Melbourne Zombies

[Pates 9,660]

What I saw today (among other things) was players not willing to run hard. How many times did they stroll out of defense with no pressure whatsoever and be able to deliver it to a man on his own in 15m of space? There is only one conclusion to draw from this, laziness. Where was the gut running that Misso has been training into them? Were we not told that their fitness capacity was much improved on last year? Why the hell, when Port had the ball and they were streaming forward were there players jogging essentially on the spot?

It is a disgrace that our best performed players were mostly recruits playing their first games for us. A great moment for me was when Rodan had the ball just outside 50 and was waiting for leads and put his hands up to say, "c'mon guys give me something". In the end Howe was able to give a lead, it wasn't pretty but it was good enough for Rodan, but the point is he should be spoiled for choice with people constantly moving and making space with dummy runs.

Jury is still out on Neeld, but people need to accept that for better or worse we have him for the whole year. I seriously hope that we have had our low point for the year because what I witnessed today was pure tripe.

[DeeZee 7,397]

For some reason we just refused to man up in defence.

Isnt that what defence is?

It was like we had six defenders who all thought they were the loose man.