I agree with Pipefitter. Misson has actually achieved something elsewhere in the position he was hired for, unlike Neeld. Next preseason is make or break BUT I believe others (I'm not sure who exactly but someone in the football department with expertise in this field) should emphasize getting the players to do work other than cardio. Plus more time needs to be given to basic skills. For crying out loud, the boys' fundamentals are appalling right now.

Neeld had had a faultless career before he hit Melbourne.

People need to be hired to their level of competence as opposed to their level of incompetence. The task the club gave Neeld was way beyond his skill set.

The players are running out games better then last year and have improved in the physical contested work rate as the year has progressed. It will be great to see a third preseason under Dn

Of anything I'd like Misson to stay so that a new coach can sit with him and say:

"Tell me about the players. What is there fitness like? What are individual strengths and weaknesses? Who can improve? Who won't improve?"

That aspect is important, and I think while it is important we "start again" with coaching staff I think some continuity will be really good for a squad that has had more coaches than hot dinners.

Edited August 29, 201311 yr by deanox

I've always believed Misson has had one of the most unenviable jobs in sport, behind coaching the dees and the marketing people who have to make cricket look interesting in ads.

He said 3 years, its been 2 so I'd like to see his plan play out. Going to be a big preseason for all areas of the club.

As rfpc said Misson does have an impressive history.

Objectively looking at the game day output of our players - FAIL

HOWEVER, I think it is the midset of the players rather than the conditioning that is the problem.

Injuries are not the fault of Misson, however fitness and the ability to overcome and or sustain a heavy season is. As usual the MFC has a long injury list and the same players have recurring problems.

The jury is still out with me on wether Misson is getting the best out of this list, keeping in mind we have a ingrained soft group

Misson was successful at both Sydney and the Saints..maybe we just have a bunch who can't take the hard stuff.

Maybe we don't have a bunch talented enough to measure up ?

Fail Epic.

How can us outsiders have any idea if he's failed or succeeded?

Fitness and conditioning is not something that just happens over night, especially when you keep turning the list over and the list gets younger and younger. It takes time to build a fitness base.

I would guess Mission was following Neeld's instructions re: endurance. A new coach might be a different view.

I have no idea how we can judge somebody when we have no idea how players' fitness has actually progressed.

His track record shows that he can be part of a very successful club.

How can us outsiders have any idea if he's failed or succeeded?

Fitness and conditioning is not something that just happens over night, especially when you keep turning the list over and the list gets younger and younger. It takes time to build a fitness base.

I would guess Mission was following Neeld's instructions re: endurance. A new coach might be a different view.

I have no idea how we can judge somebody when we have no idea how players' fitness has actually progressed.

His track record shows that he can be part of a very successful club.

great post Jaded.. common sense thru the misery.

also fitness guru's need players who are willing to do the work. at the club & away from the club..

elite professional attitudes has not been Melbourne's strong suit, for decades.

Edited August 29, 201311 yr by dee-luded

IMO our players are close to as fit as they can possibly be. They just aren’t good enough. But I didn’t think fitness was a key problem pre-Misson either (and I think that fitness staff are way overpaid).

In saying this, I hope that our 2013/14 program focuses more on power and speed and less on endurance.

Edited August 29, 201311 yr by Fat Tony

Fail of the epic variety.

How many last quarters have we collapsed in this year?

Last weeks game was a prime example vs Adelaide.

Plus why has Frawley injured his hammy 3 times and missed 6 weeks?

Edited August 29, 201311 yr by Bring-Back-Powell

I have no idea regarding any specific programme or what our goals/kpi's distance etc is but I think along the lines of the chicken and the egg what came first

1) Our players work as much and as hard as other sides the problem lies in us chasing tail a fair amount due to our poor disposal causing turnovers while we are on the break and players being forced to work back more than other sides on the rebound. This would surely tire out the players

2) Is a lack of fitness causing our players to fatigue more than other sides. I know being fatigued has some link to efficiency and poor disposal.

I believe point 1 is probably more on the mark as our poor disposal is occuring in the first quarter which has little to do with fatigue. I think the lack of confidence and belief has caused problems with disposal and players wanting to run and spread to demand the ball.

Edited August 29, 201311 yr by Pennant St Dee

The players are running out games better then last year and have improved in the physical contested work rate as the year has progressed. It will be great to see a third preseason under Dn

Are you basing that on data (such as possession differentials or GPS data), scores or your own observation?

Are you basing that on data (such as possession differentials or GPS data), scores or your own observation?

Like everyone in this thread i am basing it on what i observe. If you have GPS Data or possessions differentials etc then please share

He and Roosy worked well together at the Swans.

We'll be fine next year.

Edited August 29, 201311 yr by McQueen

I have no idea regarding any specific programme or what our goals/kpi's distance etc is but I think along the lines of the chicken and the egg what came first

1) Our players work as much and as hard as other sides the problem lies in us chasing tail a fair amount due to our poor disposal causing turnovers while we are on the break and players being forced to work back more than other sides on the rebound. This would surely tire out the players

2) Is a lack of fitness causing our players to fatigue more than other sides. I know being fatigued has some link to efficiency and poor disposal.

I believe point 1 is probably more on the mark as our poor disposal is occuring in the first quarter which has little to do with fatigue. I think the lack of confidence and belief has caused problems with disposal and players wanting to run and spread to demand the ball.

Our 12 goal 4th qtr v GWS lends support to improved fitness enabling us to run out the game. Unfortunetely we only had one such game.