Neeld apologists ... state your case.

[Lil_red_fire_engine 11,122]

Sorry Brian, but that's the weak acceptance attitude which has left us where we are now! How many more times will this attitude be put forward before the courageous decisions are made!

I agree that today was insipid, uninspired, dumb, lazy football. I also accept that it is the coaches responsibility to have the team cherry ripe and ready to go. But to think getting rid of a coach one round into the season is courageous is ridiculous. It reeks of a cowardice knee jerk reaction.

[Jaded No More 68,867]

Can someone explain Neeld's game plan?

I think I'm fairly knowledgable, and I watch a lot of footy, and I have no idea what it is Neeld is trying to do with our team.

With Bailey it was all attack no defence. With Neeld it's no attack, no defence, no nothing.

The one time he made a real move on the field, by putting Garland at FF, we won. We actually won a game. And yet he hasn't taken a risk, or made a single move or change to his unexplainable game plan since.

Players always have to be accountable for what happens on the field, but after two full pre-seasons, so does the coach.

He can't sit at a post match conference and cry me a river and tell me he never saw this coming. If he hasn't seen this coming, it says that he also has no idea how to fix it. Now that's a worry!

[Pates 9,660]

break a moral fabric, or break our spirit?

Dangerous waters Pates, this aint the army. These are skilled determined athletes with flair. Neeld is killing them.

Name these "skilled determined athletes". The only determination I saw was from players that haven't been at the club for more than 2 years. That tells me the problems stems a lot further back than when Neeld became coach.

You guys seem will to burn him at the stake, but do you think about how much FURTHER that will set the team and the club back? Forget about the football side of things where we bring someone new in with a new philosophy etc, financially it will really kill us and I don't mean that as a metaphor.

Now don't get me wrong, the closest I've felt to today was 186. Every player was beaten, and I can count those who gave a bit back on one hand without using all the fingers. At some point out on the ground players need to take charge themselves and just want the ball.

On your point Hardnut, almost all those points you've raised could be used in defense on Neeld. He's only had two preseasons with a group of players that didn't know what elite fitness was, he had players that weren't willing to to buy into the culture he's trying t build so got them out and got players that were. The game plan is the concern I have, and to be honest it was nowhere to be seen today. Apart from safety with the boundary I can't see where we're meant to be going. That IS a massive concern for me.

[dee-luded 2,959]

He gets defended vehemently on here but surely even his biggest supporters must of had their belief shaken to the core today. I've never felt that way watching Melbourne play. Not even 186 felt like this. To call it an abysmal Round 1 performance is being kind.

Tell me why I should hold onto my belief in this bloke. There's been alot of hot air, great sounding hot air at that, but NOTHING to back it up. Not a sausage.

Can the club survive another 2012? Seriously?

Pffft.

[P-man 13,366]

Pffft.

Useful input, ta.

[Richmont 4]

Neeld must go NOW. I dont care if people say to give him time he has provided us with nothing to date and he must be sent packing. I refuse to take out a MFC membership until I see results and if this means the club folds, well so be it. For 29 years, every year I have paid my membership and recently put up with mediocraty. The time has passed. I want to see Dunn, Nicholson, Sellar, Tapscott all delisted at EOY. I want to see Neeld gone as well as EVERY assistant coach at the club. I want Connolly gone and the CEO. Its time to start fresh. Until I see results I will not purchase my membership or attend any games. Again if the club folds because of lack of membership SO BE IT!

[Lil_red_fire_engine 11,122]

Can someone explain Neeld's game plan?

I think I'm fairly knowledgable, and I watch a lot of footy, and I have no idea what it is Neeld is trying to do with our team.

With Bailey it was all attack no defence. With Neeld it's no attack, no defence, no nothing.

The one time he made a real move on the field, by putting Garland at FF, we won. We actually won a game. And yet he hasn't taken a risk, or made a single move or change to his unexplainable game plan since.

Players always have to be accountable for what happens on the field, but after two full pre-seasons, so does the coach.

He can't sit at a post match conference and cry me a river and tell me he never saw this coming. If he hasn't seen this coming, it says that he also has no idea how to fix it. Now that's a worry!

The issue wasn't game plan it was effort. We did not run offensively or defensively. It would not have mattered what the game plan was as we didn't run. The question is why did they not run? Is that fitness? Mental weakness? Too many underdone, young players? Lack of caring?

[Hardnut 327]

I agree that today was insipid, uninspired, dumb, lazy football. I also accept that it is the coaches responsibility to have the team cherry ripe and ready to go. But to think getting rid of a coach one round into the season is courageous is ridiculous. It reeks of a cowardice knee jerk reaction.

That 'knee jerk' reaction is two pre-seasons, two draft periods and one dismal year old - how much longer do you need! (PS: I think a few more teams are now playing the Geelong style game in a further answer to one of your previous questions.)

[stuie 7,374]

The issue wasn't game plan it was effort. We did not run offensively or defensively. It would not have mattered what the game plan was as we didn't run. The question is why did they not run? Is that fitness? Mental weakness? Too many underdone, young players? Lack of caring?

It doesn't matter how much effort you put in if you don't know what you're meant to be doing.

[Hardnut 327]

Name these "skilled determined athletes". The only determination I saw was from players that haven't been at the club for more than 2 years. That tells me the problems stems a lot further back than when Neeld became coach.

You guys seem will to burn him at the stake, but do you think about how much FURTHER that will set the team and the club back? Forget about the football side of things where we bring someone new in with a new philosophy etc, financially it will really kill us and I don't mean that as a metaphor.

Now don't get me wrong, the closest I've felt to today was 186. Every player was beaten, and I can count those who gave a bit back on one hand without using all the fingers. At some point out on the ground players need to take charge themselves and just want the ball.

On your point Hardnut, almost all those points you've raised could be used in defense on Neeld. He's only had two preseasons with a group of players that didn't know what elite fitness was, he had players that weren't willing to to buy into the culture he's trying t build so got them out and got players that were. The game plan is the concern I have, and to be honest it was nowhere to be seen today. Apart from safety with the boundary I can't see where we're meant to be going. That IS a massive concern for me.

The boundary appears to be the 'game plan' problem Pates - that's the issue!

[Lil_red_fire_engine 11,122]

That 'knee jerk' reaction is two pre-seasons, two draft periods and one dismal year old - how much longer do you need! (PS: I think a few more teams are now playing the Geelong style game in a further answer to one of your previous questions.)

Today had nothing to do with game style it was work ethic. Our current state has nothing to do with drafting under his watch. Again I still don't know if Neeld can coach but Iets have him draft and trade for his needs, train them over preseason for his purposes and then off the back of one granted insipid display sack him and start again.

[Lil_red_fire_engine 11,122]

It doesn't matter how much effort you put in if you don't know what you're meant to be doing.

So you think understanding of game plan is more important than effort?

[dee-luded 2,959]

Useful input, ta.

it matched the thread... really all the OP deserves. 1 game in & you've cracked...

WAP

[stuie 7,374]

Today had nothing to do with game style it was work ethic. Our current state has nothing to do with drafting under his watch. Again I still don't know if Neeld can coach but Iets have him draft and trade for his needs, train them over preseason for his purposes and then off the back of one granted insipid display sack him and start again.

It's not about game "style" it's about game "plan". There's a major difference. The players today had NO IDEA where to run, what to do, where to look to kick it to, where to lead... That's the coach's job. It's sad that we've had him for more than a year and we're still saying "I don't know if he can coach yet".

[titan_uranus 24,980]

Today had nothing to do with game style it was work ethic. Our current state has nothing to do with drafting under his watch. Again I still don't know if Neeld can coach but Iets have him draft and trade for his needs, train them over preseason for his purposes and then off the back of one granted insipid display sack him and start again.

The sad thing is, work ethic should be the one thing he can get going from day 1. I can understand a game plan not coming together at the start, and needing a season, maybe two, to get it right. But the least negotiable of all the non-negotiables should be our work ethic, and it should have been his highest priority over the pre-season to make sure we lived up to his original promise of making us hard to coach against.

[stuie 7,374]

So you think understanding of game plan is more important than effort?

Having a game plan is a good start. After that you need the effort to carry it out. It was obvious at the ground today the players had no idea what they were expected to do.

[P-man 13,366]

Today had nothing to do with game style it was work ethic. Our current state has nothing to do with drafting under his watch. Again I still don't know if Neeld can coach but Iets have him draft and trade for his needs, train them over preseason for his purposes and then off the back of one granted insipid display sack him and start again.

No-one is saying sack him now, and if they are they are fools. But there is nothing to put in the bank that says the guy can coach at AFL level and all eyes are on HIM as well as the players this season, as they should be.

[stuie 7,374]

it matched the thread... really all the OP deserves. 1 game in & you've cracked...

WAP

1 game? This wasn't Neeld's first game so people need to stop trotting out that weak excuse.

[P-man 13,366]

it matched the thread... really all the OP deserves. 1 game in & you've cracked...

WAP

Yes, 1 game in. It's not like it's his second year with a list and gameplan of which he takes full ownership.

I'm not even going to elaborate further on such an idiotic reply. I've done so throughout this and other threads. "Cracked"? I'm showing some of the passion you constantly bleet on about Melbourne supporters supposedly lacking. It would appear many others feels the same way as I do anyhow.

[dees64 104]

Neeld must go NOW. I dont care if people say to give him time he has provided us with nothing to date and he must be sent packing. I refuse to take out a MFC membership until I see results and if this means the club folds, well so be it. For 29 years, every year I have paid my membership and recently put up with mediocraty. The time has passed. I want to see Dunn, Nicholson, Sellar, Tapscott all delisted at EOY. I want to see Neeld gone as well as EVERY assistant coach at the club. I want Connolly gone and the CEO. Its time to start fresh. Until I see results I will not purchase my membership or attend any games. Again if the club folds because of lack of membership SO BE IT!

The problem is clubs are too scared to sack a coach so early as this shows the club has overeacted etc lets look at the facts..how many qtrs has this team won since 2012...not many & maybe the worst outside GC & GWS. This club must & need to make a call in the next month if no improvement is made in terms been able to compete & if we are getting flogged each week. A change is needed to protect the brand,sponsors, membership & most important its members who cannot continue to be subjected to this garbage each week along with the 5mill+ that they have donated to save the club. You really think high influencial members will put up with this for much longer. So the club made a mistake in appointing Neeld...so what move on & find the right person,, we cant afford to let another season of floggins!

Edited March 31, 2013 by dees64

[Lil_red_fire_engine 11,122]

No-one is saying sack him now, and if they are they are fools. But there is nothing to put in the bank that says the guy can coach at AFL level and all eyes are on HIM as well as the players this season, as they should be.

I believe Hardnut is alluding to this with wanting us to be courageous. Again I am not saying he can coach but I am willing to give him time to find out.

[Wilbur 447]

So after one game many of you have all spat the dummy.

go have a teapspoon of concrete and get some perspective before you all go into a complete fukishima meltdown mode FFS.

[stuie 7,374]

So after one game many of you have all spat the dummy.

go have a teapspoon of concrete and get some perspective before you all go into a complete fukishima meltdown mode FFS.

Don't know how many times I have to say this.... IT'S NOT JUST ONE GAME.

Today was Ken Hinkley's first game, NOT NEELD'S. There's some friggin perspective for ya.

[Richmont 4]

The problem is clubs are too scared to sack a coach so early as this shows the club has overeacted etc lets look at the facts..how many qtrs has this team won since 2012...not many & maybe the worst outside GC & GWS. This club must & need to make a call in the next month if no improvement is made in terms been able to compete & if we are getting flogged each week. A change is needed to protect the brand,sponsors, membership & most important its members who cannot continue to be subjected to this garbage each week along with the 5mill+ that they have donated to save the club. You really think high influencial members will put up with this for much longer. So the club made a mistake in appointing Neeld...so what move on & find the right person,, we cant afford to let another season of floggins!

Hit the nail on the head. Garry Lyon should NOT be involved ever again in a selection. Apart from Roos I have no idea who should/could coach but I do know Dermot Brereton should be involved in the club. He speaks very well and has come from a successful era of footy. I will not put up with this each week after week and now have lost 90% of interest in the team, club and AFL altogether over the last 7 years. If Neeld goes, its only fair the entire coaching staff are sacked too. Grimes looked completely out of depth at the press conference and it makes me ask the question, should this club have a captain? Too much pressure for any of our players to go through- inc Viney!

[Ron Burgundy 8,584]

Neeld must go NOW. I dont care if people say to give him time he has provided us with nothing to date and he must be sent packing. I refuse to take out a MFC membership until I see results and if this means the club folds, well so be it. For 29 years, every year I have paid my membership and recently put up with mediocraty. The time has passed. I want to see Dunn, Nicholson, Sellar, Tapscott all delisted at EOY. I want to see Neeld gone as well as EVERY assistant coach at the club. I want Connolly gone and the CEO. Its time to start fresh. Until I see results I will not purchase my membership or attend any games. Again if the club folds because of lack of membership SO BE IT!

What an incredibly stupid post.

Hats off Richmont, I think the is the dumbest rant I've ever read on this site. No doubt, it'll attract a few 'likes' though.

Personally, I'd be very happy if you disassociated yourself from this club. Forever.