http://m.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/the-buzz-melbourne8217s-players-are-out-of-excuses-for-failure/story-fni5f08l-1226665936650

Great stuff by Ralph. There hasn't been a more reflective article written about this group.

Not quite sure why dees fans think this group is under performing all the time.

IMO what you see is what they are capable of.

You can only do your best I seriously think we have seen their best.

This article perfectly summerises my thoughts on our players. No more excuses. It sickens me that the players may have been underperforming because the were dissatisfied with the coaches and the administration. How precious are these princesses? Time to put up or shut up. Now we will see if they can play or not. If not bring in a new coach and sack the lot of them *.

* Obviously with the exception of a few stand outs.

Not quite sure why dees fans think this group is under performing all the time.

IMO what you see is what they are capable of.

You can only do your best I seriously think we have seen their best.

Sorry, I disagree, we have seen these players play a lot better over the course of a season as well. (first half of 2011 there were some very good players developing...) There are players that are very capable, they are just bereft of confidence, playing under a coach that I believe didn't have total buy in, and confused, and some who might still be at the club could be like Moloney and having a sook. No question that our midfield is poor, and needs significant boosting, but the backs and forwards are more than capable.

I also feel that Neeld made too many excuses for NOT winning. I know that its the current trend to say we need to get games into players and that the scoreboard is the last thing we look at ... but I think as players at the elite level, they should be under no illusion that losing is acceptable, they should not be content with honorable losses, and a lot of the internal benchmarks, whilst no doubt important, shouldn't overlook the teams first aim, and that is to win games of football.

I never felt, other than Neelds first game against Brisbane, that he ever appeared angry about a loss.

It's just too simple to say the whole list is crap OD.

How much of this is true, and how much of it is made up?

Does Ralph know if Jamar/Sylvia/Watts/Tapscott/Pedersen do nothing over the pre-season? Or is he just assuming?

Edited June 19, 201312 yr by titan_uranus

Dan where did I leave that book on 101 excuses?

That right I gave it to a MFC player but can not remember which one.

Its important at times like this to keep a sense of humour.

Sorry, I disagree, we have seen these players play a lot better over the course of a season as well. (first half of 2011 there were some very good players developing...) There are players that are very capable, they are just bereft of confidence, playing under a coach that I believe didn't have total buy in, and confused, and some who might still be at the club could be like Moloney and having a sook. No question that our midfield is poor, and needs significant boosting, but the backs and forwards are more than capable.

I also feel that Neeld made too many excuses for NOT winning. I know that its the current trend to say we need to get games into players and that the scoreboard is the last thing we look at ... but I think as players at the elite level, they should be under no illusion that losing is acceptable, they should not be content with honorable losses, and a lot of the internal benchmarks, whilst no doubt important, shouldn't overlook the teams first aim, and that is to win games of football.

I never felt, other than Neelds first game against Brisbane, that he ever appeared angry about a loss.

It's just too simple to say the whole list is crap OD.

Don't believe I have said that Ocher.

I believe we have approx a dozen AFl standard players.

That of course assumes we get the whole dozen on the park at one time which we wont have this saturday.

No matter how good they are they cannot make up for the balance.

Dan where did I leave that book on 101 excuses?

That right I gave it to a MFC player but can not remember which one.

Its important at times like this to keep a sense of humour.

TBF unfortunately a number have totally lost it.

In fact I think a few never had one!

Dan where did I leave that book on 101 excuses?

That right I gave it to a MFC player but can not remember which one.

Its important at times like this to keep a sense of humour.

It's more than likely still on the photocopier. Heard they had to make 40 copies of it.

It is about the balance OD

No team has a team of elites who [perform in clockwork at all times but it is about getting the understanding and cohesiveness of the skill set together.

There is no doubt this is an important time for the club.

The players definitely need to understand that. We need a great communicator now more than ever.

Don't believe I have said that Ocher.

I believe we have approx a dozen AFl standard players.

That of course assumes we get the whole dozen on the park at one time which we wont have this saturday.

No matter how good they are they cannot make up for the balance.

Perhaps not directly, but how can we in excess of 20 players that are not of a standard? They all came from the same draft, sure we have cocked up some picks like Lucas Cook, and Luke Molan, but Gysberts, Morton and most of the 20 that we have on our list are capable players.

Actually heard a good interview with David Dunbar this morning about our list and what an incoming coach would have to expect. Worth listening to (if they have it as a podcast)

.. actually didn't realise he wasn't our opposition analyst any more either.