This would be the best thing to happen to the MFC since the 64 premiership.

Hmm dont know about that. I reckon when Barassi came back supporters went i to meltdown and though he was the next messiah that would deliver them another flag. So i another words i think thats a pretty stupid statement.

Also why does MFC need two Captain! Let pick an on field leader and trust and support him, if we need more leader then make them a Vice Captain.

I not seen multiply Captain work yet.

The reigning premiers have multiple captains. In your view, is their leadership structure "not working"?

Hmm dont know about that. I reckon when Barassi came back supporters went i to meltdown and though he was the next messiah that would deliver them another flag. So i another words i think thats a pretty stupid statement.

goof job bringing up something irrelevant from 30 years ago

Edited June 2, 201312 yr by hogans_heroes

Players are far more intuitive than they're given credit for. They know the coach is in his death throes and despite believing they're trying and having a crack they are so spiritless and down on confidence that as a collective they too easily accept their fate. It's easier to give in to what you know will befall you than to press against the tide. These types of performances are not without precedent. Although I hasten to add that I've never seen a team with less effort in my 40 years of watching the game. At the corresponding period we have a worse percentage than the Saints in 1985, Fitzroy in 1996 and Richmond of 2010. Our percentage is virtually identical to Gold Coast in their first year. One wouldn't have thought it possible. But get the collective minds right and things will turn.

When Neeld came to the club our senior players were industry poor. We know that and he knew that. But never underestimate the influence that senior players have on a playing group. It's huge. To disenfranchise a group of senior players the moment you walk through the door is maniacal. It's little wonder that players constantly spoke of "buy in". They knew there wasn't any. Players couldn't get out of the joint quickly enough. Neeld's intentions may have been marvelous, but in his implementation he brought the club to its knees. It's also crystal clear why he brought in a group of older duds. He knew what was happening. He knew there'd be an exodus and he knew other older heads that couldn't leave weren't on side. What better way to get some senior players on side than bring them to the club on a nice contract ? Naturally, they'd think the world of him. But it's blown up in his face.

There's no hope and only widespread pity. And Neeld's attempt at spinning acceptance is bought buy some, but not many. He even said at the Commencement dinner not to listen to the media and doomsayers, because things will turn quicker than people realise. He now says the opposite. That said, I belong to a group that believe we have a decent core to work with - if given a decent chance. I understand why some wouldn't share that view, but Sydney rebuilt a list to win a flag in 7 years. Only four players from 2005 played in last year's premiership. Neeld was right about one thing. Things can change quicker than they seem.

There are those that think Neeld isn't the problem. He's not the entire problem; Schwab and a Board that fell asleep at the wheel have seen to that. But Neeld is most certainly a massive problem. If the players don't believe in you, or your game-plan, you have virtually nothing to work with and you'll generate results that are the worst seen in 30 years. One simply cannot argue with facts.

He has to go and this must be his last game. For the sake of the club, players, supporters and his own well-being.

Get a group of players minds right and amazing things can start to happen. I genuinely believe that if this is his last game that the club can start moving forward from the last half dozen years where it completely lost its way.

Good post.

Matthews has not been in the coaching caper for 5 years. If possible I don't think it would be the right move.

Agree, he has adjusted to a different lifestyle.

Cut him loose tonight. Do him a favor as the players are insipid

i don't even feel sorry for him

He didn't have to accept a contract to be senior coach, nobody held a gun to his head. He was the one too stupid to see should never have tried to be a senior coach.

Now he will get a big payout that he doesn't deserve.

I feel sorry for him.

That said, I hope we see a Williams/McDonald combination sometime soon.

I also think Neeld's done some very good things for this club, and the incoming coach will have a much easier time than Neeld did.

What is the status of craig's contract? If the Choco/Macca combo were to come would we need craig?

Bring in Williams and McDonald.

Make Freeman President.

i don't even feel sorry for him

He didn't have to accept a contract to be senior coach, nobody held a gun to his head. He was the one too stupid to see should never have tried to be a senior coach.

Now he will get a big payout that he doesn't deserve.

It hard for me to see any good from MN, but i just watch another 90 plus loss and still feeling the pain.

What do you think is the good he done?

I really love to know.

Our loss is Ocean Groves gain

he got us Clark and Hogan

2 very good things.

Its just that hes a horrible coach

Lets make him assistant recruiter

For the last 8 weeks I've been getting up on Monday morning wanting my wish will come true.

That is Neeld being shown the door.

Please let my wish come true this week.

Make Freeman President.

Morgan Freeman? He's better as god.

he got us Clark and Hogan

2 very good things.

Its just that hes a horrible coach

Oh Clark's the guy who does not play that much and Hogan is not allowed to play as he too young, right?

It hard for me to see any good from MN, but i just watch another 90 plus loss and still feeling the pain.

What do you think is the good he done?

I really love to know.

Say what you like about Neeld, I think he's made a fair few mistakes but I really think he's set up a new fitness base for the next coaching team. Not a lot to hang your hat on but that, the improvement of Jones and Howe, and getting Clark and Dawes to the club will be his legacy. (Big woop I guess)

I do feel sorry for him, he didn't take on an easy job, he took on the hardest in the AFL and he had big hopes and plans. Much of the teams fortunes are down to him, but our poor culture IMO has taken another victim. I would love to see any of those commentators who have criticised him come to the club and have a go at trying to get these guys playing competitively against the likes of Hawthorn.

I am wondering whether this week will be the week. The Choco/Junior combo is intriguing and it would be a very easy sell to the members, I'd be in favour of it.

Edited June 2, 201312 yr by Pates

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/mark-neeld-likely-to-be-axed-as-melbourne-coach/story-fni5f91a-1226655444108

I believe we should all march to Northcote tonight, drag him from his house and beat him until he gives us an apology for ruining all of our lives. He should then be frogmarched to Federation Square and forced to wear a dunce's cap while enduring all the cat calls and jeers of the people passing through that area of the CBD. After this is complete, I believe we then drive him to Barwon Prison where he can begin his life sentence in the maximum security Acacia Ward. His cell mate will be Matty 'Hot Pies' Johnson and they will be forced to watch the Queen's Birthday match together. The only thing that may possibly save Neeld at this point from the same fate as Carl Williams is that he was once an assistant at Collingwood. This punishment is commensurate for his crime of making members of Demonland angry and/or depressed.

Seriously, I have been critical like a lot of people over the last few months and I think he should be dismissed at the board meeting this Monday. The vitriol towards this bloke though is almost verging on the personal with some people. It's like they woke up one morning and found him s***ing in their oatmeal. He hasn't come up to scratch, I get it. Do you need to dance on his grave as well?

Bring in Williams and McDonald.

Make Freeman President.

Morgan Freeman? He's better as god.

Cathy???

Say what you like about Neeld, I think he's made a fair few mistakes but I really think he's set up a new fitness base for the next coaching team. Not a lot to hang your hat on but that, the improvement of Jones and Howe, and getting Clark and Dawes to the club will be his legacy. (Big woop I guess)

I do feel sorry for him, he didn't take on an easy job, he took on the hardest in the AFL and he had big hopes and plans. Much of the teams fortunes are down to him, but our poor culture IMO has taken another victim. I would love to see any of those commentators who have criticised him come to the club and have a go at trying to get these guys playing competitively against the likes of Hawthorn.

I am wondering whether this week will be the week. The Choco/Junior combo is intriguing and it would be a very easy sell to the members, I'd be in favour of it.

Agree - he appears to be the first to recognise just how unfit and how lazy, and complacent our list had become, either because they were just that, or perhaps more likely because the cr@p culture at our club allowed them to.

It will certainly make these aspects of the job easier for his successor.

We can at least thank him for recognising and for acting on our huge deficiencies.

Edited June 2, 201312 yr by monoccular

Another article in the HS today, journos must love this stuff.

www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/top-jobs-at-melbourne-up-in-the-air/

(Sorry don't know how to show the link properly)

This caught my eye:

"Newly-appointed board member Geoff Freeman has emerged as a key player in the remaking of the club.

Freeman, 65, an insurance industry heavyweight, joined the board last month after encouragement from president Don McLardy.

Freeman is a neighbour of AFL Commission chairman Mike Fitzpatrick and a close friend of former Geelong president Frank Costa, who helped transform the Cats.

Despite a recent health scare, he could replace McLardy as president before the end of the season".

We all new he was appointed at the request of McLardy and will most likely takeover his posi but I didn't know is that he is a close friend of Frank Costa.

I think Monday will be a HUGE day for the club and us long suffering supporters.

Change is a coming.

He's the neighbour of some guy, the friend of another AND he sells insurance! That's the trifecta right there.

During the add brake of house husbands the news said that Mark Neeld will get sacked tomorrow.

Edited June 2, 201312 yr by ILLDieADemon

During the add brake of house husbands the news said that Mark Neeld will get sacked tomorrow.

I would have left that bit out.

I would have left that bit out.

Why, I like house husband. What's it to you?!

Here's my call. Changing coaching panel again won't do much from a cultural perspective. Players aren't all keen on change. But jnr back would be a pleasant thing. His sacking was an utterly terrible decision.