What so he up and ran to WA because they'd never find him. He went to Perth not Mexico.

Ross Lyon had money issues period. If we offered him the same deal as Freo why wouldn't he stay and save a bunch load of money having to move to the other side of the country.

Cos the mining money behind Freo would have been able to trump anything that Melbourne could have offered. Without a cap on footy dept spending we wouldn't have been able to get in a bidding war with either WA club.

Betting or football?

Hahaha both the way things are going

What so he up and ran to WA because they'd never find him. He went to Perth not Mexico.

Ross Lyon had money issues period. If we offered him the same deal as Freo why wouldn't he stay and save a bunch load of money having to move to the other side of the country.

Lol Mexico.

I believe it's a psychological thing. Getting out of Melbourne. A fresh start. A seachange.

I'm surprised at the lack of love for Dean Laidley. I always rated him as a coach, and an analyst of the game. I'd back him in to have a much more nuanced opinion of the MFC and its list right now than many of the other experienced coaches. I'd also back him in to know how to get the best out of our list from day 1.

If we're set on an experienced coach, any of Roos, Clarkson, Laidley, Eade or Williams would suit me fine. Matthews' commentary on Channel 7 suggests to me he is no longer as adept at analysing the game as he once was. I find myself constantly disagreeing with him.

I think Ratten is a definite possibility, Ayres is a dark horse.

Choco Williams would be my pick.

I'm surprised at the lack of love for Dean Laidley. I always rated him as a coach, and an analyst of the game. I'd back him in to have a much more nuanced opinion of the MFC and its list right now than many of the other experienced coaches. I'd also back him in to know how to get the best out of our list from day 1.

If we're set on an experienced coach, any of Roos, Clarkson, Laidley, Eade or Williams would suit me fine. Matthews' commentary on Channel 7 suggests to me he is no longer as adept at analysing the game as he once was. I find myself constantly disagreeing with him.

This must mean you are adept t_u. Lodged your application yet?

Lol Mexico.

I believe it's a psychological thing. Getting out of Melbourne. A fresh start. A seachange.

apollo bay had a position vacant , why not there?

a good seachange and close to the action in melbourne , so he couldve usurped a senoir coach from down here if needed

My source from the inner sanctums of MFC (who did also mention to me 5 days ago, that Neeld was to be sacked within 7days) says that the current board wants to go "hell for leather" for Paul Roos.

The current board won't be there so it doesn't really matter what they want. I'm sure he will be a priority though.

Clarkson, Roos, Eade, Williams, Ratten could be good if they're willing.

I'm not convinced that we HAVE to go for an experienced coach. We could go for the best new coach with a proper process this time - Richardson, Burns, Tudor.

We've already got Neil Craig and he could be mentor to a new coach a la Thompson-Hird, Williams-Hardwick, Eade-Buckley - yes we tried this but Neeld wasn't the right choice.

Look, don't like the betting side of it...

With that said - go and try to get Roos but when that falls through - Williams would be my choice.

Clarkson, Roos, Eade, Williams, Ratten could be good if they're willing.

I'm not convinced that we HAVE to go for an experienced coach. We could go for the best new coach with a proper process this time - Richardson, Burns, Tudor.

We've already got Neil Craig and he could be mentor to a new coach a la Thompson-Hird, Williams-Hardwick, Eade-Buckley - yes we tried this but Neeld wasn't the right choice.

You are right about the Craig scenario.

I feared he would not have a job if Rawlings was caretaker so he might need to be absorbed into the coaching department as opposed to the Minister for Sports Performace role that he was in...

Otherwise, we are looking at another pay-out.

Maybe he can do what Williams does for Richmond.

Possibly, ironically, for Williams.

Brett Ratten. He has done as good job as Malthouse at Blues so far. Probably with less due to injuries last year. He would be my pick.

I'd be more willing put a bit on for a win this weekend.

Plenty of $8.50 at this stage. Get on. Notwithstanding Melbourne's exposed racing form I hear that our trackwork is something out of the box.

Ridiculous odds in 2-horse race when the favourite has only had two scrappy wins.

1. Roos (by a mile, but he's not going to touch our train wreck with a barge pole)

2. Clarkson

3. Eades

4. Laidley

1 and 2 would required a wheelbarrow full of cash but that might not be an issue with the AFL picking up the bills; no to Chocco, Harvey, Mathews, Worstfold Anyone for Knights?

Yes to bringing Kennett on board.

How about Kevin Rudd? He thinks he's the messiah and can turn water into wine??

apollo bay had a position vacant , why not there?

a good seachange and close to the action in melbourne , so he couldve usurped a senoir coach from down here if needed

The standard of the Colac and District League is similar to the MFC so he gave it a wide berth.

Clarkson, Roos, Eade, Williams, Ratten could be good if they're willing.

I'm not convinced that we HAVE to go for an experienced coach. We could go for the best new coach with a proper process this time - Richardson, Burns, Tudor.

We've already got Neil Craig and he could be mentor to a new coach a la Thompson-Hird, Williams-Hardwick, Eade-Buckley - yes we tried this but Neeld wasn't the right choice.

Omg, are you serious?

1. Roos (by a mile, but he's not going to touch our train wreck with a barge pole)

2. Clarkson

3. Eades

4. Laidley

1 and 2 would required a wheelbarrow full of cash but that might not be an issue with the AFL picking up the bills; no to Chocco, Harvey, Mathews, Worstfold Anyone for Knights?

Yes to bringing Kennett on board.

How about Kevin Rudd? He thinks he's the messiah and can turn water into wine??

You state Roos is no chance to coach, so your first choice is really Clarkson... then you want Kennett on board? Just how exactly do you see that working given their recent history?

I'm surprised at the lack of love for Dean Laidley. I always rated him as a coach, and an analyst of the game. I'd back him in to have a much more nuanced opinion of the MFC and its list right now than many of the other experienced coaches. I'd also back him in to know how to get the best out of our list from day 1.

If we're set on an experienced coach, any of Roos, Clarkson, Laidley, Eade or Williams would suit me fine. Matthews' commentary on Channel 7 suggests to me he is no longer as adept at analysing the game as he once was. I find myself constantly disagreeing with him.

If we all understood what the elite coaches understand re coaching every one of us with the inclination would be elite coaches...

... don't you reckon the seagulls have something in their minds eye, t_u ?

most prospective ex AFL players who want to coach, simply flounder... this doesn't suggest coaching is easy... so to become an elite Multi Premiership Coach, winning Flags @ 2 clubs,,, separated by time, would suggest Matthews does indeed know things, you simply don't 'Get'...

this is why, generations of our boards, have failed this club. Most of them just don't get Footy matters, & especially Coaching matters... & so they continually go the wrong way about our Footy Club... 'the last 40 odd years, tells me so'...

& now another 'Northern Stand group of members', wants to throw out this board, for theirs,,,, switching deck chairs...

better let the AFL & PJ, sort this one out, & help to facilitate us with a Real Coach, & his assistants...

Paul Roos done deal

If we all understood what the elite coaches understand re coaching every one of us with the inclination would be elite coaches...

... don't you reckon the seagulls have something in their minds eye, t_u ?

most prospective ex AFL players who want to coach, simply flounder... this doesn't suggest coaching is easy... so to become an elite Multi Premiership Coach, winning Flags @ 2 clubs,,, separated by time, would suggest Matthews does indeed know things, you simply don't 'Get'...

this is why, generations of our boards, have failed this club. Most of them just don't get Footy matters, & especially Coaching matters... & so they continually go the wrong way about our Footy Club... 'the last 40 odd years, tells me so'...

& now another 'Northern Stand group of members', wants to throw out this board, for theirs,,,, switching deck chairs...

better let the AFL & PJ, sort this one out, & help to facilitate us with a Real Coach, & his assistants...

As per usual, I'm having trouble following exactly what you're trying to say. Especially the bit about the seagulls.

Paul Roos done deal

I'm with you not knowing or having any inside info but my take is the AFL have stepped in considerably over the past 6 weeks as they can not afford any more negative publicity with the MFC. I think they have been wording up Paul Roos for quite a while and he will be financially looked after and supported by the afl. I don't have a clear choice but I can't see any negatives with Roo's at this stage

You state Roos is no chance to coach, so your first choice is really Clarkson... then you want Kennett on board? Just how exactly do you see that working given their recent history?

Didn't Jeff say Clarkson (or people in general) shouldn't stay at the same place more than 5 or 7 years so a Clarko/Kennett move to the Dees would still work.

Please please please please get Roos.

Eade my 2nd choice. Williams 3rd.

(Obviously Clarkson is top choice, but won't happen)

Do not want inexperience ever again. Don't go near any assistants. Don't even sniff around.

Pretty much agree, although I'd have Ratten in front of Eade & Williams.

Sorry, I know you said no assistants...

Roos, Matthews and Clarkson all look set in what they are doing. Can PJ stimulate some interest and shake one of them out of their current place of success - I don't reckon. Try hard though, try and get one of them.

Choco Williams or Gary Ayres for me.

Williams - he is passionate, takes no prisoners, success follows him, he is young-ish and the football brand he likes is tough and quick. On the downside he is not known for his people skills and we could get another Neeld/Beamer situation.

Gary Ayres - unfinished business. He got burnt fingers from the Adelaide crowd for not being a South Australian and they turned on him. He walked out because the board would not honour the final year of his contract - 2005. Great people skills, magnificent footy brain, has done a remarkable job with a heap of young players at Port, and commands respect. Downside - can he transfer the Port success into the professional AFL environment? This is unproven and speculative.

My source from the inner sanctums of MFC (who did also mention to me 5 days ago, that Neeld was to be sacked within 7days) says that the current board wants to go "hell for leather" for Paul Roos.

Geez that would be nice if it happens.

A big name coach at Melb instead of a no name dud.

Bring it on.