CHASING TIGER TAIL

[jumbo returns 6,737]

Dean Polo? You mean Luke McGuane...right?

He did a fair job on him, but I don't feel one game like today's is enough to change what I think is otherwise a fair perception that he's a pretty limited played. I see more upside in Tom McDonald. More games like today's might change my mind, I guess.

You can't have Davey everywhere. If he takes the kickout, he isn't up the ground to deliver inside 50, which IMO is more important.

We don't need a precise laser kick to get the ball out of the defensive 50. We need a plan. Currently it involved Lynden Dunn turning it over on the 50. Something new is warranted.

Agreed. The hard running was a highlight.

Disagree. Not because I don't like Dawes, because I do, I'm a massive fan and I thought he was great today. I can't wait to see him get some support and form a two/three-pronged forward line, our first in ages.

I disagree because I think the Pies have upgraded in their personal situation by getting Lynch. They needed someone to give Jolly a chop out in the ruck, and Dawes wasn't doing that. They couldn't fit Jolly, Dawes, Lynch and Cloke into the same team, so they had to let Dawes go. Lynch is doing exactly what they need, playing second forward and rucking. I think the move of Dawes from Collingwood to Melbourne was win-win, really.

Oops! Thanks for that.

I thought That Dawes was terrific last week as well.

For a big guy, he runs hard and puts pressure on the kicker.

Fantastic pick - up. 2014 will see a forward line of Dawes, Mitch and Hogan. Bring it.

[DeeSpencer 25,434]

How much does Daveys lack of chase on Vlastuin take away from his good work. Was disgraceful!

[Roost It 1,434]

They got 120 contested possessions today against our 112. So we're not far way with regards to winning the ball. We continually get cleaned up in the Clearances ... 45 to 29 today. Magner got 7 and N Jones 6 but we obviously need more ball winning ability at the stoppages.

Our biggest issue is that we get killed in uncontested possessions. Reason - we don't play well enough as a team when we've got the ball.

The post below by CB sums up the reasons very well. Our lack of teamwork has been an issue for more than just this season.

Geelong are 18th for clearances, they do alright. The game has changed yet again. Although I'm not sure if it's our plan or it's our poor midfield!

[jumbo returns 6,737]

How much does Daveys lack of chase on Vlastuin take away from his good work. Was disgraceful!

Didn't look good, did it?

But, Vlastuin is 19 and Davey is 30 and has lost yards.

[Dee Fan 3,247]

Well that's the other thing, when Melbourne do play-on there is usually an opponent a metre or so away just waiting to lay a tackle.

The decision making is horrid.

Why does Nat Jones call for the ball when he is right next to an opponent, particularly when a Melbourne player is lining up for a shot at goal. And why does the player handball it to him?

[Cheap Seats 3,310]

Didn't look good, did it?

But, Vlastuin is 19 and Davey is 30 and has lost yards.

Yep didn't look good

Not sure how harsh to be on Davey for that - let the boy get ahead of him then couldn't catch him.... little things like that hurt a lot when a team is struggling

[Roost It 1,434]

Dawes was reasonable but I feel he could have presented a bit better. A couple of times he just stood there and waited to mark the ball - that frustrated the hell out of me. As well as that, it seems like he doesn't have the confidence to mark out in front and always goes the chest mark, though hopefully the confidence will come.

The kicks to him were often poor.

He's playing with a broken thumb.

[Cheap Seats 3,310]

Why does Nat Jones call for the ball when he is right next to an opponent, particularly when a Melbourne player is lining up for a shot at goal. And why does the player handball it to him?

Agree Robbie F - really annoyed me today it kills momentum and puts additional pressure on the team.

For the first 3 qtrs when we held the ball and took our time to find and hit targets the boys actually looked good - when we tried to move it too quickly they f'd it up

Not sure if experience or lack of confidence or just stupidity

[DeeSpencer 25,434]

Didn't look good, did it?

But, Vlastuin is 19 and Davey is 30 and has lost yards.

Which I could understand if it was a flat out sprint but they were jogging until Vlastuin got a sniff of a goal.

Typical inexcusable act from a Melbourne experienced player. Straight from the Sylvia and co playbook

[Longsufferingnomore 1,631]

The kicks to him were often poor.

He's playing with a broken thumb.

He broke his thumb with the Pies. Are you saying that it is broken again.

[Guest]

To be honest, I would be happy with this effort most times... but today, no, I wasn't happy with the results.

Why you may ask? Because I have been burnt before. No way am I going back as that is exactly what these blokes want. From a distance, we got what we expected and what I as a man expected. I thought it was going to be uglier.

The bar for these blokes is getting set lower and lower as we go along. As far as I'm concerned, competitiveness is a non negotiable. You get paid pretty bloody handsomely to chase a ball around and entertain people. Nobody dies based on the result. No ones life will get better or worse in a material sense. Since you are getting paid so much to entertain people, you would be pretty keen to fulfill that part of your job and the best way to do that at a base level is to at least try.

I know there will be blokes in there saying 'well done, you had a dip.' To that I say 'bollocks'. That is the effort you need to put forth each week. Neeldy can't give this speech now but if I could deliver one message to the boys, it would be the message of Terry Wallace in Year of the Dogs (discount his 'work' at Richmond when taking this speech into account):
http://youtu.be/PUFajkMlm8o?t=48m1s

[Older demon 2,741]

I like Davey today it was like going back in time. He is without doubt the best deliverer of the ball to position.

Magner added grunt and ball winning ability

The Jones boys give their all

The lesson to learn "Gut busting running" there were 2 players today Ellis and Vlastuin who showed just what is required at this level. When was the last time a Melbourne player accumulated 39 possessions? Still a long way to go and i fear that if Richmond had kicked straight, 14 more shots on goal, it could have been a different tale

[Pates 9,658]

How much does Daveys lack of chase on Vlastuin take away from his good work. Was disgraceful!

For me that was his only blight for the day and should be named as one of the best for us. Such a strange thing to see a Melbourne player be able up hit a target. He really turned back the clock today, was great to see and should've had a goal assist if Jetta had held a chest mark.

[Roost It 1,434]

He broke his thumb with the Pies. Are you saying that it is broken again.

I believe it's either broken again or still very bad. I noticed as he attacked a player on the members wing he was actually holding his fist with the thumb on the inside (if that makes sense)

[DeeSpencer 25,434]

For me that was his only blight for the day and should be named as one of the best for us. Such a strange thing to see a Melbourne player be able up hit a target. He really turned back the clock today, was great to see and should've had a goal assist if Jetta had held a chest mark.

of course he was still one of our best but this is the fundamental errors that particularly against good teams killed us under Bailey. It's the poor effort for which we sacked Bailey and hired Neeld for!

[Longsufferingnomore 1,631]

Just watched the media conference and am extremely happy that Dawes is a Demon. He was extremely assertive even butting in on one of Neeld's answers. He speaks well and seems committed to improving the team's on field performance. He brings another dimension to the forward line that we have been lacking for years. Another light in an extremely long tunnel. Leadership material on and off the field.

[Chook 15,012]

Just watched the media conference and am extremely happy that Dawes is a Demon. He was extremely assertive even butting in on one of Neeld's answers. He speaks well and seems committed to improving the team's on field performance. He brings another dimension to the forward line that we have been lacking for years. Another light in an extremely long tunnel. Leadership material on and off the field.

I could see Chris Dawes becoming a senior coach in about 10 years time. He's a great communicator, a great leader and seems to have a very good understanding of the game. I understand he has coaching ambitions, so it would be great to see it.

Who was the last Melbourne player to become a senior coach, by the way?

Edited May 19, 2013 by Chook

[dee-luded 2,959]

Which I could understand if it was a flat out sprint but they were jogging until Vlastuin got a sniff of a goal.

Typical inexcusable act from a Melbourne experienced player. Straight from the Sylvia and co playbook

this is the hint of the old still in there, Dunn did it as well late in the game went thru the motions.... this stuff sends the totally negative message to all & sundry.

I like Dunns improvement, BUT I can still see the little things he does here and there, which put the doubts back in. there is a laziness that shows itself every now and again, which says to me, he can't be trusted when it gets too tough for him. similar things to Aaron... & probably was for beamer in the past, as well.... the old culture...

[dee-luded 2,959]

To be honest, I would be happy with this effort most times... but today, no, I wasn't happy with the results.

Why you may ask? Because I have been burnt before. No way am I going back as that is exactly what these blokes want. From a distance, we got what we expected and what I as a man expected. I thought it was going to be uglier.

The bar for these blokes is getting set lower and lower as we go along. As far as I'm concerned, competitiveness is a non negotiable. You get paid pretty bloody handsomely to chase a ball around and entertain people. Nobody dies based on the result. No ones life will get better or worse in a material sense. Since you are getting paid so much to entertain people, you would be pretty keen to fulfill that part of your job and the best way to do that at a base level is to at least try.

I know there will be blokes in there saying 'well done, you had a dip.' To that I say 'bollocks'. That is the effort you need to put forth each week. Neeldy can't give this speech now but if I could deliver one message to the boys, it would be the message of Terry Wallace in Year of the Dogs (discount his 'work' at Richmond when taking this speech into account):

http://youtu.be/PUFajkMlm8o?t=48m1s

No the bar is getting set Higher...

the expectations, set for the supporter when they become self destructive, are set lower....

Its the same as social media bullying.. the desires are too impatient, & then become aggressive & effect & interfere with the outcomes...

so they are obviously talking it down, for our expectations...

I'm sure that inside, the coaches & the players desire to improve, & raise the past years standards, would never have been higher, than this year.... this would have contributed to the poor start, with the injuries to key personnel, right at the business end of the Pre season...

[Longsufferingnomore 1,631]

Also have just watched Matt B's interview with James Frawley. I did not get any sense of disinterest only frustration that we didn't win. He also mentioned "Neeldy". I feel a little more comfortable in that he will stay long term. Well a little bit more hopeful.

Just aside I noticed today that Col Garland was quite vocal in the defenders group. I liked his game today and his ability to shirk off tackles.

[Norm Smith's Curse 2,589]

I could see Chris Dawes becoming a senior coach in about 10 years time. He's a great communicator, a great leader and seems to have a very good understanding of the game. I understand he has coaching ambitions, so it would be great to see it.

Who was the last Melbourne player to become a senior coach, by the way?

big Carl?

[Guest]

Just watched the media conference and am extremely happy that Dawes is a Demon. He was extremely assertive even butting in on one of Neeld's answers. He speaks well and seems committed to improving the team's on field performance. He brings another dimension to the forward line that we have been lacking for years. Another light in an extremely long tunnel. Leadership material on and off the field.

I was almost relieved to hear Dawesy butt in on Neeldy. The poor bloke knows, after the Brisbane schmozzle of last year, that the media is ready to jump down his throat if he makes big statements. He has painted himself into a corner. He knows that if he pots the lack of effort, the stories of a rift among him and the players will just get stronger. I think Dawesy knows in his own heart that the effort on occasions has been pizz weak but he said it in a way that carries weight and wasn't all bluster unlike the 'not on your life' speech.

[Norm Smith's Curse 2,589]

Just watched the media conference and am extremely happy that Dawes is a Demon. He was extremely assertive even butting in on one of Neeld's answers. He speaks well and seems committed to improving the team's on field performance. He brings another dimension to the forward line that we have been lacking for years. Another light in an extremely long tunnel. Leadership material on and off the field.

yeah I just started a new thread on that. Uncomprising, brutally honest and no nonsense. We need someone like that. If he talks the talk he has to walk it and I believe he will.

[Chook 15,012]

Another thing I noticed from the post match interview with Neeld was when he said something along the lines of "we missed 4 almost-certain goals, which Richmond turned around and kicked themselves." He went on to say that while it was disappointing, Neeld said it means (direct quotes) "I can coach now."

The Neeld haters will probably pay out on that as a weak statement, but to me it gave a real insight into what these past 18 months have been like. I think our players are at times so poor and disinterested that its impossible for a coach to fix the zillions of errors they make.

After a game in which our effort was right up there, most of the inexcusable (and inherently uncoachable) problems are gone; now we can actually get down to the business of explaining the specifics of what players should be doing.

This is in line with what Chris Dawes has been saying; that no coach should ever have to tell his players to provide effort. Once that obstacle is out of the way, we can get down to actually coaching professional footballers.

Just my take on it.

[ickey_11 145]

I could see Chris Dawes becoming a senior coach in about 10 years time. He's a great communicator, a great leader and seems to have a very good understanding of the game. I understand he has coaching ambitions, so it would be great to see it.

Who was the last Melbourne player to become a senior coach, by the way?

Clarkson