Jack Watts and Mike Sheahan

[The heart beats true 18,123]

Anyone see Jack's snippet on 360 tonight? Apparently the full interview will be on during the Swans game.

His body language and turn of phrase regarding Neeld was fascinating. He speaks very well too.

Could be anything as a player. I'm excited for him. I reckon he's about to understand what he's capable of.

[Wells 11 5,399]

Can you elaborate a little?

[P-man 13,366]

Transcript from the snippet they showed:

Sheahan: "When Mark Neeld got the chop, a) were you surprised and b) what was your other emotion, was it relief, sadness or what?

Watts: "I guess with the pressure that was building up, it probably wasn't a huge surprise. I think Mark came in and did an amazing job with the boys, and I think he came in with his philosophy of going pretty hard with us, and I think that works for some people and probably doesn't for others.."

S: "Did it work for Jack Watts?"

W: "I think it worked in a certain way for me, I guess with my training and those standards and that kind of thing. Probably at an emotional level I found it a bit hard."

S: "Were you pleased the change came?"

W: "I wouldn't say I was pleased, but I think, we probably needed something different, that's what I'd say."

S: "Is your relationship with Craigy different?"

W: "I would say it's different, yeah. It's a different relationship. I guess with Craigy already being at the club, so when Neeldy came in, went pretty hard, Craigy was sort of that person for me to go and speak to and sort of help me through it."

S: "He's more positive."

W: "I don't know, would you say he's more positive? He's probably, for me personally, more personable. Different blokes would probably say they got along better with Neeldy cause they had that relationship with him, compared to Craigy who they probably thought was a crazy old man who was yelling orders from the sideline, but I sort of got to know him pretty well early."

[Gorgoroth 12,949]

Said Neeld went very hard, part of that was good for him in terms of lifting his training intensity but not for him personally.

Finds Craig more personable.

I'll be IQ'ing the game for that interview.

[DemonOX 8,791]

Anyone see Jack's snippet on 360 tonight? Apparently the full interview will be on during the Swans game.

His body language and turn of phrase regarding Neeld was fascinating. He speaks very well too.

Could be anything as a player. I'm excited for him. I reckon he's about to understand what he's capable of.

Said Craig was really approachable and that he spoke with him a lot when the dud one was there.

The dud one was not was not what u would call approachable and as a result he spoke with NC.

Very wise decision getting rid of the dud one.

Thank god he is gone and it hopefully it improves the chances of Watts staying IMO.

[Gorgoroth 12,949]

Said Craig was really approachable and that he spoke with him a lot when the dud one was there.

The dud one was not was not what u would call approachable and as a result he spoke with NC.

Very wise decision getting rid of the dud one.

Thank god he is gone and it hopefully it improves the chances of Watts staying IMO.

Ha ha, nice way of jazzing the quotes up

[BAMF 4,351]

Neeld = bad cop

Craig = good cop

[DemonOX 8,791]

Ha ha, nice way of jazzing the quotes up

Yeah I liked it too G.

[DeeSpencer 25,687]

I dont understand this from Neeld. He could've gone as hard as he wanted with the players for all I care but he should've had a open and personable relationship with the players. It's unacceptable for him not to.

[Jerry Lundergard 420]

If the story about Neeld trying to trade him to the Roos for a 2nd rounder was true, then I guess that would be another reason Watts didn't like the man too much.

[Demon3 2,541]

Have seen the IV.. It's great, honest and open.. Will like Jack even more than you do after it. Speaks about the pressures of being pick 1.. Says at times he wishes he was pick 76 so he could surprise people in a good way, rather than pick 1 and let people down.

Says he is more likely to sign now than 2 weeks ago.

It's must watch tv. Fox Footy pre game starts at 1230 iv towards end of it and at half time of game

[DemonOX 8,791]

Says he is more likely to sign now than 2 weeks ago.

Wonder why that is???????

[Deano74 156]

interesting reading.

to put a different spin on it, based on a documentry i watched on horses.

yeah bear with me lol

old days training horses, whip them to do what you want (Neeld)

or the horse whisperer ( craig)

Does that make sense? I thought it sounded good at the time lol

[whatwhat say what 22,747]

get off media street! concentrate on yr football!!

i understand that sheahan is sympathetic to watts, but agreeing to do this is misguided from the comms department, who would have made the ultimate decision to do it.

[Maldonboy38 6,402]

I wasn't/am not a Neeld-hater but the more I read, the more that comes to light, the more I am understanding that Neeld was very heavy handed, and the players were struggling to want to play for him. It sounds like there was little unity, and the defensive mindset was robbing the players of the enjoyment of playing.

[Dee Fan 3,247]

I wasn't/am not a Neeld-hater but the more I read, the more that comes to light, the more I am understanding that Neeld was very heavy handed, and the players were struggling to want to play for him. It sounds like there was little unity, and the defensive mindset was robbing the players of the enjoyment of playing.

And the more you hear, the more they seem to like Craig.

[Mono 455]

If the story about Neeld trying to trade him to the Roos for a 2nd rounder was true, then I guess that would be another reason Watts didn't like the man too much.

What story?? Make it up why not. FFS

North sounded out the MFC about Watt's availability. they were told he's required.

That's all.

FFS

[dee-luded 2,959]

Neeld = bad cop

Craig = good cop

in tandem... the good cop was mentoring the bad cop. & then the good cop takes the bad cops job.

[Macca 16,965]

I wasn't/am not a Neeld-hater but the more I read, the more that comes to light, the more I am understanding that Neeld was very heavy handed, and the players were struggling to want to play for him. It sounds like there was little unity, and the defensive mindset was robbing the players of the enjoyment of playing.

There are too many assumptions that those who didn't rate Neeld, hated him. Are we not allowed to critique anybody or anything without hating?

If we were to critique a player harshly it wouldn't then mean that we hate that player. The opposite view is equally absurd when rating Mark. His tenure never had anything to do with hate or love. It's just a ridiculous notion.

For those wishing that all talk about Neeld ceases, good luck. Bailey was and is still discussed to this day. Neale Daniher is often mentioned in various threads.

I'm not necessarily disagreeing with the premise of your post, Mb38.

Edited July 4, 2013 by Macca

[Yossarian 1,820]

get off media street! concentrate on yr football!!

i understand that sheahan is sympathetic to watts, but agreeing to do this is misguided from the comms department, who would have made the ultimate decision to do it.

Disagree button.

[The heart beats true 18,123]

Reading between the lines here, but this is my take on what I'm hearing from the players post Neeld:

'You can't come in with the bravado of Malthouse, because you're not him, and you don't have his premiership credentials.'

I don't blame Neeld either. He was given a mandate from Schwab. He did his job. The fault lies with CS and the board for backing a 'wipe the slate clean' mentality versus a 'build with what you have' concept.

Probably the worst time in the history of the game to try that approach given the compromised drafts and the introduction of free agency.

[Damo 3,355]

What story?? Make it up why not. FFS

North sounded out the MFC about Watt's availability. they were told he's required.

That's all.

FFS

My mail was it was a close call and turned down after much deliberation.

[DemonWA 3,934]

Neeld = bad cop

Craig = good cop

Need = [censored] Cop!

[P-man 13,366]

Reading between the lines here, but this is my take on what I'm hearing from the players post Neeld:

'You can't come in with the bravado of Malthouse, because you're not him, and you don't have his premiership credentials.'

I don't blame Neeld either. He was given a mandate from Schwab. He did his job. The fault lies with CS and the board for backing a 'wipe the slate clean' mentality versus a 'build with what you have' concept.

Probably the worst time in the history of the game to try that approach given the compromised drafts and the introduction of free agency.

Fair assessment.

For all my criticism of Neeld, there is a chance that the figurative clip around the ears he gave the playing group was actually to the long term benefit of the club.

By no means was he a fit senior coach, at least not yet, but there's no doubt he shook the place up and brought a harder edge to the players. The fact he couldn't relate to them is another matter.

He didn't achieve his aim of making us the hardest team to play against, not even close, but if his legacy is to open their eyes to what being a genuine hardarse looks like, I'll take it.

[Maldonboy38 6,402]

There are too many assumptions that those who didn't rate Neeld, hated him. Are we not allowed to critique anybody or anything without hating?

If we were to critique a player harshly it wouldn't then mean that we hate that player. The opposite view is equally absurd when rating Mark. His tenure never had anything to do with hate or love. It's just a ridiculous notion.

For those wishing that all talk about Neeld ceases, good luck. Bailey was and is still discussed to this day. Neale Daniher is often mentioned in various threads.

I'm not necessarily disagreeing with the premise of your post, Mb38.

Hey - I probably chose my words badly - but by "Neeld-haters" I wasn't talking about hating the man personally, I was implying that I never really hated his coaching or style like a lot of others here on Demonland. Perhaps I should have hated it more - look where it has led us!!

But I really agree with Heart Beats True from above. Neeld was given a direct mandate by Schwab and the Board to come in and be very tough, with no compromise, and to introduce a game plan based on defence. But as in most things in life, it is not what your task is, it is how you operate, and Neeld's manner seems to deflated players en masse rather than inspire them.