PR & PJ are both legends. We are in good hands

[Dees2014 2,377]

Just watched the whole video of the conference this morning. These guys are seriously good. I know we have a long way to go, but it is great to have serious skills and substance behind the Club both in the Admin and Football departments. Roos in particular is immensely impressive.

I am more confident than I have been for ten years that our future is assured, and that in my lifetime, I will see again another Demon flag.

Roll on 2014.

Go Dees.

[Gorgoroth 12,955]

PJ has been the best thing to happen the MFC in a long long time.

[Bluey's Dad 3,419]

Many of us thought the same thing when Neeld took over.

I hate myself for posting that.

[Gorgoroth 12,955]

That is why I only commented on PJ, who has delivered.

[bush demon 2,041]

Many of us thought the same thing when Neeld took over.

I hate myself for posting that.

Many thought that when Ian Ridley took over, when Bobby Skilton took over, when Big Carl came over, when The Messiah frocked up in '81, when John Northey took us to the mountain etc etc... We need to wait until at least the first quarter v. The Saints and get Stan Alves' and his mate's summary to gain a clearer picture. Pre-season is like the night series of the 60's and 70's - seriously misleading.

[Demonsterative 3,020]

Time will tell their legacy. For now, they have been impressive but we are without a run on the scoreboard yet.

[jazza 1,323]

Many of us thought the same thing when Neeld took over.

I hate myself for posting that.

don't hate yourself big fella

as a demon supporter we all have the right to wait and see

hype doesn't win games or relieve a club from past mistakes

demanding good management is the start of our future

something not done by supporters or management of recent times

[P-man 13,366]

Many of us thought the same thing when Neeld took over.

I hate myself for posting that.

To make yourself feel better, when you sit back and analyse it, was it more a case of wanting to believe? A premiership midfield coach with a hard edge, what's not to like? I was guilty of it. I saw the approach and along with most people thought "this is what we need, a proper shake up, kick em up the arse Neeldy!"

Evidently not.

I feel a well founded confidence now that I haven't felt in quite a while. PJ especially could not have been more impressive in action and word.

But, the job has just begun.

[Little Goffy 14,572]

The sheer track record of these two must inspire volumes of confidence.

Perhaps the critical detail is that in this case the individuals have credibility in the specific roles that they are now filling for us.

On the bright side, one prediction we all made back when Neeld left the Pies has come true - the Pies have been slipping ever since.

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

We had these kinds of threads after a draft when Barry Prendergast was in control.

Give it two years before getting too excited.

[Maldonboy38 6,403]

They give me hope, but nothing more.

They both have an amazing track record but so did Barassi, so did Ridley and Skilton. MFC is a tough gig. I hold any passion in reserve for now.

[What 18,810]

Praying both of these legends sign on long term

[FC Melbourne 108]

Will wait and see but.....

How's the smirk on PJ's face in the AHG presser when Roosie starts speaking. You could just see the cogs ticking over, 'how good is this guy'!

[DemonFrog 1,354]

To make yourself feel better, when you sit back and analyse it, was it more a case of wanting to believe? A premiership midfield coach with a hard edge, what's not to like? I was guilty of it. I saw the approach and along with most people thought "this is what we need, a proper shake up, kick em up the arse Neeldy!"

Evidently not.

I feel a well founded confidence now that I haven't felt in quite a while. PJ especially could not have been more impressive in action and word.

But, the job has just begun.

First up I was disappointed with the appointment for Mark Neeld.

First up I felt the Club need an experienced AFL coach and secondly he was recruited from Collingwood. That Clud is a disease which nothing good comes from it.

[Demon Disciple 12,141]

Will wait and see but.....

How's the smirk on PJ's face in the AHG presser when Roosie starts speaking. You could just see the cogs ticking over, 'how good is this guy'!

I think it's more "it only took me 2 months to convince him to coach the MFC, imagine what i can do with 3 years up my sleeve!"

[dazzledavey36 54,947]

I will not be remotely surprise if PJ continues for couple more years.

Things are going smoothly for him and he has the chance to become one of the great CEO of the game has seen if he can turn this ship around. Its a big call yes I know, but to turn around a club like ours that been in one of the darkest era's the MFC has ever been into a powerhouse would seriously enhance he reputation hugely!

[Guest]

I guess one reason why we are impressed with PJ is that he is honest. He isn't overly negative nor is he positive for the sake of it. He came in negative because he had walked into a train wreck. He described the train wreck he had walked into as a means to explain the rationale behind his decisions, not to cover his arse due to his own shortcomings. Since then as more and more work has come to fruition, talk of us being a liability upon the competition has been reduced and now we are talking about being back in the black by the end of 2014. That being said he has also come out and said that we won't become a powerhouse 'overnight' and that smaller clubs like ours will need assistance into the near future. It was clear headed and rational and one of the reasons why I'm impressed with him.

[corowa 216]

That is why I only commented on PJ, who has delivered.

It would be good to extend the contracts of Jesse Hogan and Paul Roos, but it is critical that we do not let Peter Jackson leave our club at the end of next year when his term expires.

He is the catalyst for our ever increasing prospects, both on and off the field.

The aura with which PJ is held reminds me of a great servant of the club in 'brighter' times, that being the incredible Jim Cardwell, the most successful recruiter of talent that we have ever had.

[Dees2014 2,377]

Many of us thought the same thing when Neeld took over.

I hate myself for posting that.

Neeld never had the pedigree or experience, or track record of Roos. That is what gives me confidence, plus he has not put a foot wrong since arriving here. I do not remember such a united playing group behind the new regime. There seems to be a steely determination this time to succeed. I never got that feeling with the Neeld regime.. He always seemed a bit ordinary to me.

I know it is early days, but we have made a great start.

[La Dee-vina Comedia 16,789]

It would be good to extend the contracts of Jesse Hogan and Paul Roos, but it is critical that we do not let Peter Jackson leave our club at the end of next year when his term expires.

He is the catalyst for our ever increasing prospects, both on and off the field.

The aura with which PJ is held reminds me of a great servant of the club in 'brighter' times, that being the incredible Jim Cardwell, the most successful recruiter of talent that we have ever had.

As much as I don't want Peter Jackson to leave, I assume if he does he would only do so after recruiting his own replacement. That gives me some comfort.

[Key Deefender 143]

Out of curiosity to confirm and share what I had suspected, I've just copied and pasted the following showing all our coaches since Norm Smith including interims. I then did the same for Paul Roos. There are many things to be gleaned from this, but my main reason for doing so was:

With the exception of Ron Barassi and interim coach Neil Craig, EVERY single coach since Norm Smith has been a rookie coach at VFL/AFL level when taking over the Melbourne coaching position. It also shows that only John Northey (54%) had a winning percentage of over 50 with Neale Daniher close at 48, and Ian Ridley and Neil Balme as the only other coaches over 40%. The winning percentages since Neale Daniher makes pretty gruesome reading.

Paul Roos will be our 30th coach and our 16th since Norm Smith. Apart from Barassi and Craig, he is the only one to have had any pedigree at the top level prior to coming to us. I would also be interested to see a list of all our assistant coaches in this time to check their credentials, particularly stacked up against those at other clubs.

And so for the first time in a very long time, we now FINALLY having a coach with serious coaching credentials including a premiership - and the good ship MFC may now at long last be being steered in the right direction. Of course, as with anything, there are no guarantees. However through the amazing efforts of Peter Jackson in securing Paul Roos with what and who he brings to the table, we have now given ourselves every opportunity of achieving future - and hopefully - ultimate success.

1. John Beckwith 1968-1970 27.42 Winning %

2. Ian Ridley 1971-1973 43.18 %

3. Bob Skilton 1974-1977 31.82%

4. Dennis Jones 1978 22.73%

5. Carl Ditterich 1979-1980 25.00%

6. Ron Barassi 1981-1985 30.63%

7. John Northey 1986-1992 54.19%

8. Neil Balme 1993-1997 41.84%

9. Greg Hutchison 1997 23.08%

10. Neale Daniher 1998-2007 48.65%

11. Mark Riley 2007 33.33%

12. Dean Bailey 2008-2011 26.51%

13. Todd Viney 2011 20.00%

14. Mark Neeld 2012-2013 15.15%

15. Neil Craig 2013 9.09%

16. Paul Roos (at Swans) 2002 – 2010 57.40%

My apologies for the skewball look of this table - it was hard to copy and paste with any accuracy!

Edited November 19, 2013 by Key Deefender

[La Dee-vina Comedia 16,789]

Out of curiosity to confirm and share what I had suspected, I've just copied and pasted the following showing all our coaches since Norm Smith including interims. I then did the same for Paul Roos. There are many things to be gleaned from this, but my main reason for doing so was:

With the exception of Ron Barassi and interim coach Neil Craig, EVERY single coach since Norm Smith has been a rookie coach at VFL/AFL level when taking over the Melbourne coaching position. It also shows that only John Northey (54%) had a winning percentage of over 50 with Neale Daniher close at 48, and Ian Ridley and Neil Balme as the only other coaches over 40%. The winning percentages since Neale Daniher makes pretty gruesome reading.

Paul Roos will be our 30th coach and our 16th since Norm Smith. Apart from Barassi and Craig, he is the only one to have had any pedigree at the top level prior to coming to us. I would also be interested to see a list of all our assistant coaches in this time to check their credentials, particularly stacked up against those at other clubs.

And so for the first time in a very long time, we now FINALLY having a coach with serious coaching credentials including a premiership - and the good ship MFC may now at long last be being steered in the right direction. Of course, as with anything, there are no guarantees. However through the amazing efforts of Peter Jackson in securing Paul Roos with what and who he brings to the table, we have now given ourselves every opportunity of achieving future - and hopefully - ultimate success.

1. John Beckwith 1968-1970 27.42 Winning %

2. Ian Ridley 1971-1973 43.18 %

3. Bob Skilton 1974-1977 31.82%

4. Dennis Jones 1978 22.73%

5. Carl Ditterich 1979-1980 25.00%

6. Ron Barassi 1981-1985 30.63%

7. John Northey 1986-1992 54.19%

8. Neil Balme 1993-1997 41.84%

9. Greg Hutchison 1997 23.08%

10. Neale Daniher 1998-2007 48.65%

11. Mark Riley 2007 33.33%

12. Dean Bailey 2008-2011 26.51%

13. Todd Viney 2011 20.00%

14. Mark Neeld 2012-2013 15.15%

15. Neil Craig 2013 9.09%

16. Paul Roos (at Swans) 2002 – 2010 57.40%

My apologies for the skewball look of this table - it was hard to copy and paste with any accuracy!

Good work. I appreciate that for fill in coaches the data uses a very small sample, but I'm still surprised to see Neil Craig with a lower win percentage than his predecessor. Of course, one more win would have moved him up the ladder.

[Sir Why You Little 37,046]

The MFC appears to be running like a serious business now.

It's early days but i am very pleased with what i see so far.

It was interesting to hear PJ on SEN a few mornings ago say that he could not see the MFC ever coming off the AFL teet completely.

That suprised greatly. I still believe there are truckloads of dormant Demon families out there who have not been to games for decades (The late 80's we pulled big crowds often)

But PJ is a lot closer to the reality of the club right now than me so i will take his word.

That said i think we can become a Big Club if the correct people are running it, that means every layer.

[Guest]

The MFC appears to be running like a serious business now.

It's early days but i am very pleased with what i see so far.

It was interesting to hear PJ on SEN a few mornings ago say that he could not see the MFC ever coming off the AFL teet completely.

That suprised greatly. I still believe there are truckloads of dormant Demon families out there who have not been to games for decades (The late 80's we pulled big crowds often)

But PJ is a lot closer to the reality of the club right now than me so i will take his word.

That said i think we can become a Big Club if the correct people are running it, that means every layer.

I think PJ mentioned that it would take roughly 30 years to 'do a Hawthorn'. While they were on the bones of their arse in 1996, they also had roughly 20 years of continuous success behind them. To get off the AFL teet, we will need to do something like that. North had a great era in the 90's but they haven't been able to become a big club because while they won fans during the 90's, they haven't been able to win any since.

[Sir Why You Little 37,046]

I think PJ mentioned that it would take roughly 30 years to 'do a Hawthorn'. While they were on the bones of their arse in 1996, they also had roughly 20 years of continuous success behind them. To get off the AFL teet, we will need to do something like that. North had a great era in the 90's but they haven't been able to become a big club because while they won fans during the 90's, they haven't been able to win any since.

Fair call but Nought Melbourne was a small inner city suburb even in its hey day.

We have a far higher potential support base than them.

The 50 year drought is what has killed us.

My dad tells me that in the 40's & 50's a large % of school kids in each class all followed Melbourne.

The opportunity to grow is still there. Winning is the only way to get these families back.