Training - Wednesday 20th November, 2013 @ Casey Fields

[Coup Cooper 610]

I popped down for the last hour or so but have little extra to add to demonwithin's wrap up.

Compared to last pre season Roos is far more "hands on" involved than Neeld was, and will show players what he wants by pulling them aside and physically showing them how he wants things done, saw him do this on a couple of occasions with Fitzy, who was making mid fielders kicks look poor through bad leads. He pulled him aside, showed him what he was doing wrong and then explained what he wanted, which Fitzy then put into action.

Also noted when Gawn and Spencer were doing laps how much Max has filled out, still not the finished article but has certainly put on some size and will benefit greatly if he can complete a full pre season.

Loving what I was seeing and it also looked and sounded like the players are enjoying what the new regime have brought to the table.

Don't know what this will equate to in wins but I expect a reasonable upswing in our on field endeavours.

Happy to answer any queries if I can.

Hopefully it equated to a top 8 finish.. Put a cheaky ten on us at 15s.. Given we only won one more game than GWS the gap is significant.. 15 to 51..

[BAMF 3,812]

I suggest you watch the Darwin game from a couple of years back, He dominated. I have a soft for players that have a crack like Nifty did.

1 game a couple of years ago?

Hardly helping your argument.

[Machsy 2,858]

I think you underestimate the appalling impact Neeld had on the players. Some of the stories I've heard beggar belief.

I've never been a huge rap but he gives it a real go, has had terrible injuries amd has never stopped trying.

I can't see we are worse off with him on our list than with some pick 80 or so from a weak draft pool. I wish him well.

Do tell.

I'm quite interested to hear.

[Demon_Tingles 211]

Do tell.

I'm quite interested to hear.

I have heard this about Neeld so many times and yet not one person says what happened

It's not like he comes on this forum daily to check it

If you are going to make big statements then you have to be able to back it up. If you are not prepared to do that then just leave the past in the past where it belongs. This is the dawn of a new era and the mistakes of the past need to be left there.

[Satyriconhome 10,013]

I have heard this about Neeld so many times and yet not one person says what happened

It's not like he comes on this forum daily to check it

If you are going to make big statements then you have to be able to back it up. If you are not prepared to do that then just leave the past in the past where it belongs. This is the dawn of a new era and the mistakes of the past need to be left there.

They can't, it is nothing but recycled twaddle

[Machsy 2,858]

I'm not sure I'm keen on challenging those that make these claims in the fashion of "if you're gonna make big statements, you have to back them up," as that's not what it's about.

I believe there would be some horrific stories floating about of what went on.

But I don't think I've heard any that I'd put in that basket, beyond a few things that have been in the papers.

I'm not looking to defend Neeld or call anyone out.

I'm genuinely interested in hearing what actually went on.

[Machsy 2,858]

They can't, it is nothing but recycled twaddle

The sweet irony...

[Slartibartfast 16,050]

I have heard this about Neeld so many times and yet not one person says what happened

It's a fair comment about not backing up my statements with examples but the point of my post was to suggest that Jetta was well worth another year and that the team as a whole under Neeld had performed badly which made judging any of the players on the last 2 years problematic.

As far as Neeld goes I think there are clear indications he had issues with the players. Moloney's farewell tweet was extraordinary and gives an insight into how he felt and the fact that he tweeted at all instructive. Neeld also isn't in the frame for any football position with an AFL club despite having a long time to organize one. I'm not sure what he's doing now although I saw it suggested he was trying to get back into teaching despite his statement that he loved the game and being involved with it.

I've said all along it wasn't Neeld fault that he was appointed our coach but on any measure he was a failure. Let's leave it at that and say that I expect to see a completely different and more confident team this year under new management.

[Whispering_Jack 28,097]

I had a conversation with one of our players at a function in the latter part of the season (after Neeld was sacked) and he candidly told me he hadn't enjoyed his football at the club during Neeld's tenure.

I was surprised because he was one of the better performed players over the past two years but he then added that he wasn't necessarily blaming Neeld for all of this but rather because of the fact that there were some members of the team whose negativity had been stifling in its character.

Of course, a good coach should be able to recognise this, deal with it and turn things around but the indications I got was not that the entire playing group had problems with Neeld - just a smallish but possibly influential group. I have a feeling that this element is no longer involved at the club and won't be missed. And I can't see Paul Roos tolerating such a thing if it becomes apparent during his time at the club.

* I should add the conversation was not with the player who I sponsor.

[Machsy 2,858]

Thanks for sharing guys.

I eventually was given the impression that although Neeld was a failure as a coach, his job was made that much harder by an influential section of the playing group, that after the Bailey saga felt that part of the tail was able to wag the dog.

Neeld did some good for the club by largely eliminating that element.

He also signed his papers by doing it in a way that had the majority of the playing list offside.