Perspective Please

[dee-luded 2,959]

AttitudeAttitudeAttitude

forget the Luna Park stuff, until the players learn to face the angry Fans...

Home-truths need to be explained by the supporters, to the players, & the players need to Learn that this isn't a Bankers Picnic.

We are a spoilt club, & this attitude is what seems to pervade Our Culture.

Teams like north, & sheedy coached type sides lick their proverbial Lips, when our fixture approaches them.

We had our chances when coaches like Leigh Matthews were available to coach, in the late nineties & we smugly dismiss them. he went on to take a struggling outfit & blend them into a one Hard Unit... a 3peat the result.

Again, Sheedy would have been good for a 4 or 5 Yr rebuild, but No, we smirk a polite 'thankyou' at him, & thank him for coming.

Now we have a tough taskmaster, with great off field support & in the First game Rnd1, after our Major cleanout, with many new ins, & everyone wants an instant result.

We'll know more after 6 or 7 games, when the players have played together a bit.

Lets maintain the rage, But not at our footy dept, but demand the players Grow Up...

And get angry with the opposition teams & the AFL.

Don't turn the Anger inward & self destruct.

[Choko 493]

I actually also think it is hugely worrying that Jack Viney was speaking out at the team meeting post-match.

Good on the kid, not a dig on him - he's a little legend.

But the very fact that a first gamer is not in awe of his senior teammates, and there is clearly such a leadership void that a first gamer feels he can fill it, is embarrassing and imo concerning.

[The heart beats true 18,145]

I actually also think it is hugely worrying that Jack Viney was speaking out at the team meeting post-match.

Good on the kid, not a dig on him - he's a little legend.

But the very fact that a first gamer is not in awe of his senior teammates, and there is clearly such a leadership void that a first gamer feels he can fill it, is embarrassing and imo concerning.

Agreed. You can see it all over the ground. Look at the kick outs today. It's a set play that they've had 7 months to prepare for it and it broke down after 5 minutes, and it's only because nobody wants the ball. They all don't want to be the player that makes the mistake. I don't care about structures and presses. The coach needs to coach some confidence and belief into them. Even the attitude towards Byrnes coming from Geelong was a concern - players asking in awe what was it like to be at Geelong. Our teachers have taught our boys they aren't up to it and they believe it so they just try and be the guy that doesn't screw it up. We've gone 180 from Bailey and come out the other side with players with no idea who they are, or even why they are there.

[titan_uranus 25,043]

Agreed. You can see it all over the ground. Look at the kick outs today. It's a set play that they've had 7 months to prepare for it and it broke down after 5 minutes, and it's only because nobody wants the ball. They all don't want to be the player that makes the mistake. I don't care about structures and presses. The coach needs to coach some confidence and belief into them. Even the attitude towards Byrnes coming from Geelong was a concern - players asking in awe what was it like to be at Geelong. Our teachers have taught our boys they aren't up to it and they believe it so they just try and be the guy that doesn't screw it up. We've gone 180 from Bailey and come out the other side with players with no idea who they are, or even why they are there.

The kick-ins have been a disgrace for 6 years. I can't believe that they continue the same mindless fail of a strategy. It's unfathomably bad coaching.

[Forest Demon 4,681]

The kick-ins have been a disgrace for 6 years. I can't believe that they continue the same mindless fail of a strategy. It's unfathomably bad coaching.

Probably the one part of our game that frustrates me the most is the kick ins (both our own and defending kick ins). Probably because it encapsulates why we are so shite at the moment with our lack of willingness to work into space or close down the opposition's run.

Numerous times today Port eased their way out of our 50, even frequently making skill errors and still having enough time and far more numbers around the ball to make amends for it, while we continue to bomb long to Jamar so predictably it has become nothing short of embarrassing.

[Deecisive 1,709]

If players like to hear the cheers and the applause when they play well then they also have to accept the boos and hisses when they dont. Today the coaching staff and players both deserved the boos they got.

Watts in his interview seemed embarrassed over the whole thing, but only time will tell if he will fight harder to ensure that he is not embarrassed again in any future performances. As for him comment on confidence, its a cope out, it took 6 minutes for a melbourne player to get the ball today, thats not confidence thats attitude and commitment. Watts wanted someone to stand up like selwood, well Viney tried but he did not get much support. Strange the doggies who I rated worse than us until today, didn't have a big name player, but won and won well due to a gutsy team effort.

[bing181 9,328]

They all don't want to be the player that makes the mistake.

Out of all the posts, and all the threads, this sums it up best for me.

[Deecisive 1,709]

So bad at kicking in, and so bad at defending a kick in. have been for years. I seem to remember the doggies often going coast to coast from a kick in against melbourne without a demon player touching the ball. yet we cannot get it out of our back 50 unless one of our forwards comes up to mark it, which then leaves us with no forwards going forward. Surely someone should be able to come up with a game plan for kickouts to use Dunny's long kick towards the center more than once a game. It would help if we got rid of any backman who cannot kick properly as we do give away a lot of goals from poor kicking in the backline.

[Forest Demon 4,681]

Out of all the posts, and all the threads, this sums it up best for me.

And hopefully Blease realises that even though he made a mistake or two when he came on, at least he was taking it on and trying to force the issue a bit.

[dees189227 12,398]

AttitudeAttitudeAttitude

forget the Luna Park stuff, until the players learn to face the angry Fans...

Home-truths need to be explained by the supporters, to the players, & the players need to Learn that this isn't a Bankers Picnic.

We are a spoilt club, & this attitude is what seems to pervade Our Culture.

Teams like north, & sheedy coached type sides lick their proverbial Lips, when our fixture approaches them.

We had our chances when coaches like Leigh Matthews were available to coach, in the late nineties & we smugly dismiss them. he went on to take a struggling outfit & blend them into a one Hard Unit... a 3peat the result.

Again, Sheedy would have been good for a 4 or 5 Yr rebuild, but No, we smirk a polite 'thankyou' at him, & thank him for coming.

Now we have a tough taskmaster, with great off field support & in the First game Rnd1, after our Major cleanout, with many new ins, & everyone wants an instant result.

We'll know more after 6 or 7 games, when the players have played together a bit.

Lets maintain the rage, But not at our footy dept, but demand the players Grow Up...

And get angry with the opposition teams & the AFL.

Don't turn the Anger inward & self destruct.

Sheedy has said we would have said no to the job if he was offered it. So that argument doesnt work.

But with our kick outs its so obvious we kick it to the ruckman near the boundary. Lynden Dunn has a booming kick. It would be nice if some went down the middle. In the nab cup some came off beautifully.

[TONKA 64]

And hopefully Blease realises that even though he made a mistake or two when he came on, at least he was taking it on and trying to force the issue a bit.

not hard to look good when everyone else is 3 quarters old and your fresh as a a daisy. no offence to blease though, he certainly aint the problem right now

[Harrisonrules 273]

It's interesting that the alternative offered to booing is clapping. It's possible to do neither. I'm very critical of the club but at the games, I will always support. Booing does not change anything in a productive way.

I don't think that anyone will be hurting more than the players and coaches right now.

There is a massive knee jerk reaction going on here. Hence my call for perspective. I won't judge the coaches or the players until I see how the team goes over the course of the season.

Maybe a break from footy for a few days would do us all some good.

So Willo. You learnt nothing from last year's effort? I'm assuming you saw nothing similar in this game to last years tripe? You weren't expecting something a little more after a hard pre-season? So you wait to the end of the season. What will distinguish success from failure for you. One of my father's favourite saying to us kids when we did something silly or unacceptable was, 'I saw that coming a mile off'. Wisdom and experience is patient but it also can read signs far earlier than starry eyed hope. This year is not separate from last year or the year before. I see no signs of this being a short term glitch. We are now on the 7 year plan in my opinion. And Neeld will not be a part of it from what I can see. If you want to wait for the end of the year so be it, it won't make any difference. There's not enough positives to place any short term hope upon.

Edited March 31, 2013 by Harrisonrules

[Forest Demon 4,681]

not hard to look good when everyone else is 3 quarters old and your fresh as a a daisy. no offence to blease though, he certainly aint the problem right now

Wasn't really the point of my comment as I thought he made a couple of sloppy mistakes, but was more commenting on the fact that at least he had the right mindset and took the game on a bit.

[dee-luded 2,959]

The kick-ins have been a disgrace for 6 years. I can't believe that they continue the same mindless fail of a strategy. It's unfathomably bad coaching.

No its not the coaching, its panic...

its a lack of confidence, team confidence & a weak culture.

much has been cleaned out, but the new culture hasn't had a chance to grow onto the new frame.

We went into the game with too many debutants after such a slash & burn over the off season.

so they made some n=mistakes at the selection table... remember Watts first game,,, it was a marketing exercise which went wrong.

# selling memberships needs to take a backseat, to getting the kids right... we should have NOT have had 7 debutants in todays game... even if we need members!!!

[P-man 13,366]

No its not the coaching, its panic...

its a lack of confidence, team confidence & a weak culture.

much has been cleaned out, but the new culture hasn't had a chance to grow onto the new frame.

We went into the game with too many debutants after such a slash & burn over the off season.

so they made some n=mistakes at the selection table... remember Watts first game,,, it was a marketing exercise which went wrong.

# selling memberships needs to take a backseat, to getting the kids right... we should have NOT have had 7 debutants in todays game... even if we need members!!!

So there were mistakes at the selection table, we should NOT have had 7 debutants, and there's a problem with confidence.. but it's not the coaching.

And here's me thinking the coaches make the selections and instill the confidence.

But all along the culprit has been "panic". I'm going to have stern words with that "panic". He/it has alot to answer for.

[dee-luded 2,959]

So there were mistakes at the selection table, we should NOT have had 7 debutants, and there's a problem with confidence.. but it's not the coaching.

And here's me thinking the coaches make the selections and instill the confidence.

But all along the culprit has been "panic". I'm going to have stern words with that "panic". He/it has alot to answer for.

Its not the coaches that have to be changed, its the attitude of the club, which the coaches are in the midst of doing.

For some reason, (& I hope it had nothing to do with attracting people to our home game, for attendances & memberships) IMO the Selection Panel tried to take too big a bite & played too many debutantes.

this is a selection problem and error.

it does not mean the coaches aren't OK., It means they made a mistake prior to the game.

#Edit: And only the players can learn to become confident in themselves individually.

& remember, a structured zone off defence, is more difficult to learn & implement, than a free for all offensive game. It will take some time for the players to get used to one another.

I didn't think the toump should have played just yet. TMac out, Dawes out, Clarke not ready, etc etc...

Edited March 31, 2013 by dee-luded

[praha 11,240]

Progressive sentiment of positivity and "not making them feel bad" during times of extreme failure in an intensely competitive environment is not necessarily "support": support can be both negative and positive. Fans boo because they expect better, and today was an important day, both on and off field. I'd argue that remaining positive after initial success equates to "support", but critiquing those that scrutinise after multiple failures -- say, 50 years worth -- is bordering delusional.

I am not driven by emotions in my support for melbourne; I love the club, but will hound down upon it with great fury if it does not live up to the standards set by both the history of the club, and the league.

The club has failed immensely during a period in which social media enhances brand worth extensively, and so expectations are very high: the club must start performing or it will be at the bottom forever. In this day and age, you simply cannot survive a Richmond-esque hibernation.

In the US, no matter how inexperienced or whatever a team is; an inability to perform to the standards set by the guernsey you put on will lead to being boo'd by the home fans. There is no exception to the rule there. Home teams boo'ing is very standard: it is not taboo, and the media usually jumps on it as being "the team played bad". Here, whenever the home fan boo, it's, "Oh, how bad are the fans?"

Accountability is already lacking from Australian society -- let's wait and set that catch up to us in 20 years -- but in a league like the AFL were it's a dog eat dog world, even fans being sympathetic to their team will shape a culture drowning in medicority.

I will boo this team until my throat is sore, but I will be there every single week they play in this amazing city at that amazing stadium

If they don't want to play befitting of the gorgeous stadium, then they will hear my already roar.

Today, the club -- not just the team -- deserved to be boo'd.

And if you don't like it, then I'm sorry I made you tear up. I guess I'm a bad, bad supporter. I wonder if I can get 20 years worth of membership fees compensated as part of your amazing, "Bad Supporter" initiative?

Edited March 31, 2013 by Cudi_420

[ex52k2 238]

I have waited till now to say my piece, I was too angry with the team to be rational. For 25 yrs I have been a member even though my family couldnt afford it, particularly early on.

Yesterday was a different year same crap! We at this sight make all sort of excuses for the players, its only preseason the games dont count, as long as we dont get injuries. We only played one bad quarter, we were missing most of our team, wait till the real season comes round we will smash them.

WRONG!!!! Winning is everything, winning teaches winning, winning creates culture and most of all winning wins RESPECT. After the tanking saga winning needs to happen for members, supporters and sponsors. It keeps the media onside and if you think that dosnt matter look how essendon have managed their drama, much better than us.

If you want to beat the DEES on the ground all you have to do is RUN cos we sure dont. The rubbish shoveled up yesterday was the same as the last 10 yrs of shoveling. We have learnt nothing, nothing. Sure its only round 1 but it was a winnable game against a team in roughly the same position as us, and with a very few exceptions we were served up the same crap.

To me the only pluses out of the game were, a stellar game from Viney, a contest from Clark, Jamar round the ground got more of it and the run in the last qtr of Bleese. He ran in straight lines and dared the port players to have a go.

I didnt boo the players off and I stayed to the very end as I always do, but I can see why other supporters do otherwise. Yesterday was worse than 186 as it meant more and was against weaker opposition and at home.

[Vagg 2,439]

After listening to the Post-match press conference, and the interview with Jack Watts, my take on it is that they had a great pre-season, and just assumed it would all happen for them on match day. Maybe now they have figured out that training with your team-mates and playing against a real, committed opposition team are two entirely different things.

For me, the real test will be how they react to yesterday's abomination, and what they serve up next Saturday night.

For everyone's sake, I sure hope they get their act together, and quick!

[Philthy 284]

After listening to the Post-match press conference, and the interview with Jack Watts, my take on it is that they had a great pre-season, and just assumed it would all happen for them on match day. Maybe now they have figured out that training with your team-mates and playing against a real, committed opposition team are two entirely different things.

For me, the real test will be how they react to yesterday's abomination, and what they serve up next Saturday night.

For everyone's sake, I sure hope they get their act together, and quick!

The most logical post right here!

[Fitz Fitzpatrick 886]

There are obviously a lot of Melbourne supporters who don't attend many matches. I have heard Melbourne booed off many times over the last few years, particularly at the Etihad. Brent Moloney left the club, in my opinion because last year when we lost to North Melbourne, a supporter threw a scarf in his face and told him he was no longer required at the club, and that is a pleasant way of expressing what he said. I was one of two supporters that dished it to the players at the interchange bench at the end of the match. Unfortunately there are too many 'soft' supporters who accept performances like the one we had today and I believe that the players pick up on that vibe and do not feel enough concerted pressure to really perform on the big stage. Do you really believe that Collingwood or West Coast would accept that drivel today without getting into the ear of the players and the coaches. If you are not a Demons supporter that requires players to play to a certain standard then I believe that you are better off taking your loyalties to another club, the same also applies to the players, the coaches and the administrators.

exactly! people talk about the club being soft. the supporter base is in my mind, soft. im glad the players were booed off the ground. that sent a very loud message to all concerned

[Wormburner 674]

I was at the game, I did not boo. However I think it's about time MFC and the public realize that we as supporters are not soft, tartin wearing snow bunnies who take a furnace of tea to the footy. If we want to our team to perform on the field then they should and need to know and recognize that their supporter base will not stand for dismal performances anymore.

Being back the passion both on the field and off. It's time for the school girls that were out on the pitch yesterday to stop talking and prove to us why we should pay and turn up.

[Biffen 12,947]

exactly! people talk about the club being soft. the supporter base is in my mind, soft. im glad the players were booed off the ground. that sent a very loud message to all concerned

It was not even a decent, loud prolonged boo.

I will be joining in if we serve that up next time.

They deserved rotten fruit after that "effort".

Shameful way to treat the members.

I'm giving Neeld till round 7 before I start calling for heads.

I see no point in destabilising this teetering circus of a club or adding to the calls for sackings, even though I'm hating what I'm seeing.

[MH. 88]

Port were playing away from home with 10 players that had played less than 25 games, including 3 debutantes. They were full of babies.

We have no leadership in the middle of the ground. No-one to set the tone and stand up. No-one to lead the way. They had Hartlett, Ebert and Cornes and their young players followed their lead. Melbourne players wait for one of their teammates to set an example. No-one is putting their hand in the air.

[Bitter but optimistic 22,246]

Before yesterday I would have pencilled in 3 wins by round 7. Port, Gold C and GWS. On our showing yesterday we could be 0/7.

We simply must improve and beat the newbies and be competitive in the others or it's all over red rover.