WHO ARE WE AGAIN?

[Demonland 66,550]

WHO ARE WE AGAIN? by Whispering Jack

Just over twelve months ago on the eve of the Round 2 West Coast Eagles game in Perth, I wrote that the way in which Melbourne approached that particular fixture would define the playing group, given its poor start to the season under then new coach Mark Neeld. The result was an even more insipid performance by the team than the week before and it was followed by more of the same for the majority of the season.

A full year later, the team in a different form with a number of new faces repeated the dose in Round 2 against Essendon. This time, it was another defeat in excess of 100 points but far worse and in front of an angry MCG crowd.

What we gathered from that was an undercurrent of disaffection between the playing group and those who control it. That means the board and administration, the coaches and yes, ultimately the supporter group. The disconnect was there to see - a repeat of the disgrace that came to be known as "186", a day when the players appeared to down tools and withdraw their labour. Alternatively, if you want to be charitable it was at the very least, a failure to perform to even the minimum acceptable standard in the sport. The supporters were not only let down - they were treated with contempt.

If the board, or the administration or the football department deserved that sort of treatment, the supporters certainly did not. Some of the fans will never come back and though I would never put myself in that category, I can hardly say that I blame them. Those who defend the players might well say they owe the supporters nothing; that there were issues that they needed to deal with (and that might well be the case) but what we saw on the playing field was unprofessional and nothing short of deplorable.

The thing that most football fans can't really abide from supposed professionals taking the field in their club colours is not doing the basics like running, chasing, tackling and putting pressure on their own opponents. These things are the non-negotiables of our game.

I usually disagree with much of what Patrick Smith writes but not when he drew the analogy between Melbourne's ineptitude last week and Essendon's sparkling performance. If one of the two playing groups out there was entitled to rebel against those in control of their club, it should have been the Bombers whose players were led up the garden path in such a scandalous manner when injected out of club premises with substances whose legality and identity they apparently can't now be completely assured of by their club hierarchy. Some might argue that this provides justification for players to rebel against the club for the contempt with which they were treated.

But they acted as professionals with a duty to the club that pays their wages, to their loyal supporters and to themselves. Their refusal to tank defined that playing group.

This can't be said of the playing group at Melbourne which has now drawn blood in the form of the departing CEO and caused substantial distress to their young coach. Even if there are issues with his coaching, is this how sane and rational people deal with such a situation. Are they now satisfied having blown the lid off the season and brought themselves and their club into disrepute or am I reading this wrongly and our playing group is just inept and incompetent?

There's far more to this than just the playing group and a young coach struggling to impose a new systems and standards at the club. We are fractured and hurt by factions that carry with them a destructive mindset that has persisted for close on five decades since the time we dominated the competition and the code. Whatever way you look at it, having fallen in the estimation of the football world, the Demons need to work their butts off to rise again.

Perhaps they might heed the words of American author and poet Ralph Waldo Emerson:

The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.

Now is the time to rise ...

THE GAME

Melbourne v West Coast Eagles at MCG - Saturday 13 April 2013 at 2:10pm (AEST).

HEAD TO HEAD

Overall Melbourne 15 wins West Coast 28 wins

At MCG Melbourne 7 wins West Coast 7 wins

Since 2000 Melbourne 7 wins West Coast 12 wins

The Coaches Neeld 0 wins Worsfold 1 win

MEDIA

TV Fox Sports Channel at 2pm (live)

RADIO

THE BETTING

West Coast to win $1.03 Melbourne to win $12.00

LAST TIME THEY MET

West Coast 25.16.166 defeated Melbourne 9.4.58 at Patersons Stadium, Round 2, 2012

The Eagles handed out a thrashing, winning by a club record 108 points at Patersons Stadium, dominating the possessions 447-313, not to mention the free kick count which, at one stage read 21-1. Mitch Clark booted five goals and was one of the few shining lights in the gloom of the West.

THE TEAMS

MELBOURNE

Backs Neville Jetta, James Frawley, Dean Terlich

Half backs Jack Trengove, Tom McDonald, Colin Garland

Centreline Michael Evans, Jack Grimes, Jack Viney

Half forwards Matt Jones, Mitch Clark, Jeremy Howe

Forwards Aaron Davey James Sellar Shannon Byrnes

Followers Mark Jamar Colin Sylvia Nathan Jones

Interchange Rohan Bail Cam Pedersen Luke Tapscott Jimmy Toumpas

Emergencies David Rodan Jake Spencer Jack Watts

In Rohan Bail Michael Evans Neville Jetta Cam Pedersen Luke Tapscott

Out Sam Blease Tom Gillies (groin) Daniel Nicholson David Rodan Jack Watts

WEST COAST

Backs Schofield Glass A Selwood

Half backs Hurn Brown Waters

Centreline Gaff Priddis Masten

Half forwards Embley Kennedy Hams

Forwards Darling Hill Le Cras

Followers Cox S Selwood Shuey

Interchange Butler Cripps Kerr Sinclair

Emergencies Brennan Dalziell Wilson

In Kerr Le Cras

Out Dalziell Sheppard (shoulder)

IT'S NOT A PERFECT WORLD by Whispering Jack

If we were living in a perfect world, this week would have been the ideal one for Melbourne to confront the West Coast Eagles.

The visitors are coming off a six day break from a tough game played in 32 degree heat and have travelled across the continent to play on a ground where they haven't won a game since they surprised Melbourne in the first half of their wooden spoon season of 2010. Since then, the Eagles have lost seven consecutive games on the MCG.

Like Melbourne, the Eagles are 0-2 and have not been particularly impressive to date, although admittedly they lost at the hands of some strong opposition. They have some key on field personnel missing and a couple back from injury who might be suspect if put under enough pressure. And there lies the crux of the problem.

Pressure.

In its two games thus far, the Demons have exerted absolutely zero pressure on their opponents. For a team that has ostensibly trained hard for two pre seasons to develop this aspect of the game, they have given absolutely nothing and on Saturday, they come up against one of the very teams that exposed them so badly in this very area twice in the season before Mark Neeld became coach.

Melbourne has selected a marginally better side on paper than the one which has failed abysmally in the past two weeks. The defence is a little less stacked with talls who have no run and exert little defensive pressure. The same can be said of the midfield which has been so static but which remains particularly young and inexperienced.

Above all, one must ask whether anything has happened to this group in the past seven days to change its shattered mindset?

The removal of the CEO who, on the face of it has ensured that the club's off field finances are "tracking very well" according to the AFL and kept himself apart from the workings of the football department since it was restructured at the end of 2011?

Hardly.

A day and night of bonding at the Sorrento Hotel followed by a closed training session at Casey Fields?

Perhaps.

The shame of being booed off the ground by their own supporters, then to be pilloried mercilessly in the media, deservedly so for their sub standard efforts and failure to have a crack or the fear of being the next players demoted?

This is the professional era in sport. Many of us were surprised last year when players with plentiful experience at various AFL clubs were delisted but failed to find suitors. It would not surprise if the same thing happened again this year. The Demons need to learn that they are all playing for their football lives if not their team and club and that if they continue to serve up that which they've shown to date, its going to be all over for many of them by year's end.

Based on the events of the past week, I can see a little improvement but against a far more desperate Eagles that need the four points and percentage on offer, I don't expect enough improvement to overcome this team's crisis in confidence or for it to show the pride and character of the Bombers who continue to play like professionals despite their own crisis surrounding the club and coach and in which they find themselves right in the middle.

Two weeks ago I predicted that Melbourne would be the most unpredictable side in the competition but it's not a perfect world and I was wrong. They now are sadly, the most predictable.

West Coast by 72 points.

[Pink Freud 326]

WHO ARE WE AGAIN? by Whispering Jack

Now is the time to rise ...

Easier said than done.

[La Dee-vina Comedia 16,534]

Beautifully written WJ.

Essendon is probably helped by having top notch on-field leadership, particularly their captain. With more experience, hopefully we'll have top-notch leaders too.

[jnrmac 19,327]

Watched the replay last night to see who was the baddest.....BTW I don't recommend watching it again.

Given we can't drop everyone there are some absolute musts.

Gillies must be dropped. Jamar has to go. Watts is out. And Sylvia has to go.

And I'd start Mitch Clark in the middle. Not as a ruck, as a ruck rover. Had 2 clearances from 4 centre bounces last week.

[Pitchy 196]

Dont drop our few talented players including Watts and Sylvia! I'm sure they "think they are going fast" ala Chipper in Round 1. Just motivate them properly.

Anyway, things wont be right until the factions WJ refers to are finally removed. Neeld is tainted and has to go. He came in and ruthlessly and stupidly enforced Schwab's directives -

1) Moloney, Green, Rivers, Davey are no leaders drop them and shame them. (they have all left save Davey who is saddled with big contract and most other players who've been around for a bit wanted to go too. Neeld put babes in as captains. Bad coaching. Gotta love Grimesy effort though!

2) Bailey was too soft on the indigenous players, be harder on them. Knucklehead Neeld did this harder than anyone expected, scandal ensued (Mifsud etc) and they have all left save Jetta and the aforementioned Davey. And don't tell me Wona was going anyway - sure he was under duress from family issues but was making a go of it, living at Dean Bailey's house when Dean got sacked. They are exceptional journeys that these remote indigenous players are on. They needed to be supported appropriately.

Of course Neeld has gone on to do his own handiwork by trading out our elite but unfulfilled talent and getting in VFL players.

Neeld has been tainted by the Schwab/Bailey conflict and then so horrible all on his own. Anyone looking for the next step in our revival need look no further than Mark Neeld. He has to go now, or after GWS if you guys actually need more proof!!

[DeeZee 6,856]

The more i think about it, the ore i think we should give Syvia and Watts another chance to prove themselves.

I do think Sellar, Gillies, Nicholson should be dropped, and maybe Rodan as well.

If the performance isn't any better against wet toast then bring in more kids.

[old dee 22,995]

Excellent summery WJ.

I think that the lack of talent is more important than you suggest.

But either way you have it very close to my view.

[What 18,810]

There had better be AT LEAST 5 changes tonight

And if Jamar and SYlvia arent dropped it will be a disgrace

[Dockett 32 1,213]

Easier said than done.

The bar is at such a low setting at the moment I reckon there's a good chance for improvement to be honest. Like others though, I am in two minds re selection . Do you give Jamar, Silvia, Watts and Co. one final chance to play some decent football before sending them straight to Casey seconds to free up some space if for the Taggerts and Tynans or do bite the bullet and go with the Gawns, (probably one run short) Spencer ( must be a chance) the Tynans the Kents etc.?

Hopefully a defining match for the future of some on the field and our club this week.

[DeeZee 6,856]

I would definately drop Jamar, he looks all at sea.

Sylvia is such a key to us, he might just warrant one more chance.

As someone said before, he has been running hard, just not getting the ball.

[jazza 1,323]

yeah like rivers and mclean

Beautifully written WJ.

Essendon is probably helped by having top notch on-field leadership, particularly their captain. With more experience, hopefully we'll have top-notch leaders too.

[Barney Rubble 1,576]

Beautifully written Jack.

You obviously weren't consulted to write Neelds pre match address.

[Bring-Back-Powell 13,422]

My tip for selection:

In- Pederson, Bail, Gawn, Tapscott, McKenzie

Out- Gillies, Toumpas, Rodan, Sellar, Byrnes

[jnrmac 19,327]

Yeah, I think you are right with Toumpas. Don't want to completely kill his confidence. Tear it up in the Magoos.

[Young Dee 1,303]

B: Neville Jetta, James Frawley, Dean Terlich
HB: Jack Trengove, Tom McDonald, Colin Garland
C: Michael Evans, Jack Grimes, Jack Viney
HF: Matt Jones, Mitch Clark, Jeremy Howe
F: Aaron Davey, James Sellar, Shannon Byrnes
FOLL: Mark Jamar, Colin Sylvia, Nathan Jones
I/C: Jimmy Toumpas, Cam Pedersen, Luke Tapscott, Rohan Bail
EMG: Jack Watts, David Rodan, Jake Spencer
IN: Rohan Bail, Luke Tapscott, Neville Jetta, Cam Pedersen, Michael Evans
OUT: Tom Gillies (groin), David Rodan, Sam Blease, Jack Watts, Daniel Nicholson

[Benson 254]

Maybe we can upgrade Gillies groin to LTI and upgrade Magner...

Also how ironic Gillies is out with Groin... No balls in that area!!!

[Demonland 66,550]

IN: Bail, Tapscott, Jetta, Pedersen, Evans

Out: Gillies (Groin), Rodan, Blease, Watts, Nicholson

[Dr. Mubutu 694]

3 useless ruckmen. Fan-bloody-tastic.

[farmerwiz 60]

pretty happy with that

[Young Dee 1,303]

pretty happy with those inclusions although would have preferred Kent or Strauss to be given a go ahead of Pedersen

[45HG 1,539]

I don't think I've seen 5 worse "ins" from an AFL side. None come to mind, anyway. It's going to be another shocking game.

[The Song Formerly Known As 6,479]

B: Neville Jetta, James Frawley, Dean Terlich

HB: Jack Trengove, Tom McDonald, Colin Garland

C: Michael Evans, Jack Grimes, Jack Viney

HF: Matt Jones, Mitch Clark, Jeremy Howe

F: Aaron Davey, James Sellar, Shannon Byrnes

FOLL: Mark Jamar, Colin Sylvia, Nathan Jones

I/C: Jimmy Toumpas, Cam Pedersen, Luke Tapscott, Rohan Bail

EMG: Jack Watts, David Rodan, Jake Spencer

IN: Rohan Bail, Luke Tapscott, Neville Jetta, Cam Pedersen, Michael Evans

OUT: Tom Gillies (groin), David Rodan, Sam Blease, Jack Watts, Daniel Nicholson

Geeze thats interesting, not what i expected to be honest.

Would love to keep Blease in as he adds a bit of run and carry X factor.

Whats up with Watts? I do often fear and believe that he would thrive at another club.

Tapscott, this is a MUST PLAY WELL GAME FOR YOU SON!

Toumpas, just go about your game and enjoy yourself, thats all we expect for you this year. Dont be so hard on yourself.

Edited April 11, 2013 by The Song Formerly Known As

[Young Dee 1,303]

3 useless ruckmen. Fan-bloody-tastic.

I can only see one ruckman in that team but yes he is useless

[bing181 8,228]

pretty happy with those inclusions although would have preferred Kent or Strauss to be given a go ahead of Pedersen

Pedersen did very well at Casey last week - 11 marks, 21 disposals. We need someone doing that around the ground - if he can bring it to the big league that is.

Happy otherwise, tough on Blease, but he did less in a whole game against the Dons than he did in a quarter against Port. Needs to start delivering or risk becoming another Col Sylvia - sure he'll get it together.

[Benson 254]

What does Sylvia need to do to be omitted from the side?