The turnaround that's taken me by surprise

[JackVineyForPresident 310]

I must say, i am shocked.

I did not know that Paul Roos and the rest of the MFC would make such an impact this year, we truly are a different side. Roos has instilled confidence in the playing group which i havent seen since the brighter days in 2010 and much earlier.

Players like Dom Tyson are playing top quality football (at just 20 years of age), Cam Pederson is playing like a gun half forward and Jack Viney is progressing faster than i ever expected. Not to mention players like M Jones, Bail and N Jones improving out of sight.

I am not going to preach that i think we will be the next super team of the AFL, but i am going to say that we have the makings of a quality young sight. I have hope that under the current coaching group, Salem, Watts, Trengove, Toumpas, Michie, Gawn, Tyson (even more), Viney, Kent ect.. will develop into fine players. Not to mention what Roos will do in the upcoming free agency and trade period.

So, Mr Frawley, if you want to leave for success, then i hope you get the same treatment as Colin Sylvia. Repay the faith that we have shown in you and sign on for 3 more years, we are a new Melbourne. Same goes for Dunny and Tmac.

Yesterday was a confirmation of what we are aspiring and on our way to becoming, a top notch football side.

Bring on the pies, bombers and kangas. It our time to shine

[pantaloons 2,019]

Anyone surprised by our play so far, raise your right hand. Then lower it slightly, and slap yourself firmly across the face.

JVFP, I'm not having a go at you at all here. The early signs are good. My most hated saying is the one pertaining to the inability to polish excrement, as though we're playing EA Sports NHL 95 and it's near impossible to change individual player ratings. This just reinforces that if you don't have things right off-field, you don't stand a chance.

There is so much to like about Melbourne at the moment, and we're only 3-7. I'm not surprised to see us playing well, but I'm probably most happy about the honesty of the team and the ability to adhere to a gameplan that is sustainable.

[sue 8,477]

Last year I didn't bother to keep an eye on the ladder because I knew where I'd find us. This year I don't bother because I don't think it matters. I'm expecting to keep a close eye on it next year however.

[Wadda We Sing 10,685]

I cannot believe the improvement in some individual players. All are doing breath taking things. Guys that couldnt hit the side of a barn last year are playing like men possessed. So many times when players have appeared trapped there is no panic, just calm thinking and silky moves.

Its unbelievable to finally watch new recruits a la JKH and Dom Tyson hit the ground running and looking like top draft picks where as in the past these guys would be rotated through Casey week in week out waiting for any signs that their game was starting to improve. The speed of this turnaround is staggering. I really didnt expect to see this at least until the last few games of the season. My hat is off to you Paul Roos, the motivation and passion you and your team have bought back into our club.

Edited June 1, 2014 by Wadda We Sing

[Ted Lasso 17,113]

Just highlights why we went hell for leather after roosy

[DemonOX 8,551]

I think we r all surprised at the way we r playing tbh.

It's a nice surprise for a change.

[KingDingAling 3,622]

Our win against Adelaide at home looking like better form as the weeks roll on.

Was a great win against the Crows at home, we had to dig deep.

[STN91 32]

Preach and rejoice my brother but leave my dunny out of the sermon

[Toorak 108]

Preach and rejoice my brother but leave my dunny out of the sermon

have you noticed the improvement of Dunn since he removed the moustache.

[Little Goffy 12,770]

I think before the seasons we were all anticipating (with breath held) a real change in performance and all those football 'non-negotiables'. And maybe three wins half way through the season would have been considered the goal, too.

But after the failure against St Kilda in round 1 and what felt like a shaky start for a couple more rounds, expectations were in a spin.

Now, we appear to be playing genuinely credible, respectable football. And our 3 wins by mid season have come mostly in games we would not have anticipated it from.

I keep referring to St Kilda to describe the season - since round 1, they've tailed off, while we keep strengthening.

I'm not quite 'excited all day'. But I am quietly pleased and looking forward to the future.

[TheoX 1,218]

Our win against Adelaide at home looking like better form as the weeks roll on.

Was a great win against the Crows at home, we had to dig deep.

Yep and we had to beat the umps in that one too.

[Deeoldfart 7,820]

Nightmares to pleasant dreams in a few months, and I'm reveling in it!

[Curry & Beer 5,444]

The only thing I have had my reservations about was thinking back to 2010/2011 when things were starting to look good - obviously that was a tree that ended up bearing absolutely no fruit.. I have had it in the back of my mind that this apparent turnaroubd could end up similarly. BUT every week for about the last 6 has continued to erase that worry bit by bit, there are no signs that what is happening at the club is some sort of 'flash in the pan' resurgence, they are playing commited, consistent, disciplined footy week after week. Yesterdy we were down 25-0 and Dermie was suggesting it might be 50-0 at quarter time, he had a right to say that because that's what would have happened to us in that situation in any game between 2008-2013. Instead they dominated the next 3 quarters of footy from that point. It feels a lot more genuine and substantive than it did a few years back, and apart from Cross and Jamar, everyone in our 22 is 28 or younger, individual improvements are going to be big from here on. Furthermore, at R1 next year we will be looking at at Trengove, Hogan, one or two other decent names that Roos will undoubtedly procure in the trade period and who knows, Mitch Clark (!?).

[JackVineyForPresident 310]

Anyone surprised by our play so far, raise your right hand. Then lower it slightly, and slap yourself firmly across the face.

JVFP, I'm not having a go at you at all here. The early signs are good. My most hated saying is the one pertaining to the inability to polish excrement, as though we're playing EA Sports NHL 95 and it's near impossible to change individual player ratings. This just reinforces that if you don't have things right off-field, you don't stand a chance.

There is so much to like about Melbourne at the moment, and we're only 3-7. I'm not surprised to see us playing well, but I'm probably most happy about the honesty of the team and the ability to adhere to a gameplan that is sustainable.

You could not be more wrong, even if you tried. I will bring up 2 points that disprove what you are saying.

point number 1: We must look at last year, possibly the worst football i have ever seen a team play, no heart, spirit or skill. We put no pressure on our opposition and were smacked in basically every match. The current list is not that different from the one on the park today, players who were considered rubbish are actually standing up. So excuse me for being surprised about our play, one cannot predict players who didnt deserve a game last year to be playing well.

point number 2: You need to take a look at the first 5 rounds of the season. Whilst in the Carlton and Gold Coast games we weren't terrible, we still had lapses and didnt look to be playing great football (not to mention a really poor first 3 rounds). But the transformation in the follow 5 rounds has exemplified a surprise in many AFL supporters and Melbourne supporters. We are a different side of late and forgive me for being surprised as a result of that.

[Bring Back Barassi 546]

have you noticed the improvement of Dunn since he removed the moustache.

Yes. Also since he stopped all the sledging.

[pantaloons 2,019]

You could not be more wrong, even if you tried.

With the bit you highlighted, I'm not sure if what I said requires a right or wrong label, but classic work nonetheless. Anyone who has watched sport for a while will know the difference coaching makes. We've gone from the last two coaches to the best coach in the AFL so the surprise factor isn't there for me. I don't want to turn this into a discussion on the merits of coaching though. Carry on.

[JackVineyForPresident 310]

With the bit you highlighted, I'm not sure if what I said requires a right or wrong label, but classic work nonetheless. Anyone who has watched sport for a while will know the difference coaching makes. We've gone from the last two coaches to the best coach in the AFL so the surprise factor isn't there for me. I don't want to turn this into a discussion on the merits of coaching though. Carry on.

No, but it accentuates a meaning that does require a wrong or right label.

Coaching can only take a team so far, it is up to the players to pull the trigger. You cannot possibly say that we are the same team or not surprising in the ultimate team and individual change

[Nasher 33,166]

No, but it accentuates a meaning that does require a wrong or right label.

Coaching can only take a team so far, it is up to the players to pull the trigger. You cannot possibly say that we are the same team or not surprising in the ultimate team and individual change

Why bother with coaches at all if it's up to the players to pull the trigger?

Ask any of the players if they're trying any harder than they were last year.

Leadership and mentorship from experienced people who know what they are talking about is critical in any team activity, none more so than football. I'd say the opposite to what you said is true: good players only get you so far, and you need the best coaches to enable them to reach their full potential.

[Curry & Beer 5,444]

Why bother with coaches at all if it's up to the players to pull the trigger?

Ask any of the players if they're trying any harder than they were last year.

Leadership and mentorship from experienced people who know what they are talking about is critical in any team activity, none more so than football. I'd say the opposite to what you said is true: good players only get you so far, and you need the best coaches to enable them to reach their full potential.

Surely this season is a perfect showcase of the value of a good coach - our improvement has been massively bolstered by the import of Cross, Tyson and Vince, but obviously they are recruits that are the direct result of Roos' involvement. Apart from that, our general attitude, our ability to play to a plan/structure and a number of pre-existing players that have stepped up, it's all Roos.

[JackVineyForPresident 310]

Why bother with coaches at all if it's up to the players to pull the trigger?

Ask any of the players if they're trying any harder than they were last year.

Leadership and mentorship from experienced people who know what they are talking about is critical in any team activity, none more so than football. I'd say the opposite to what you said is true: good players only get you so far, and you need the best coaches to enable them to reach their full potential.

Can you show me the part where i said it was ALL up to the players. I said that "coaching can only take a team so far". Ofcourse coaching is important, but it ultimately up to the players to perform.

In regards to players trying harder, i do believe players are definitely working harder in games, because they are beginning to believe, so yes, they probably in some way trying harder.

And i would say it is a combination of becoming good and being coached to be good (in reference to players specifically). I believe coaches can only teach or help so much, eventually it is up to the players to become good.

I'll give you a personal example. I play tennis, at a high level. I have an amazing coach and always have, but an issue was that i mentally didnt believe enough in myself. I have clicked and i am playing well and winning, but it was more up to me than my coaches

[Jaded No More 59,078]

Yesterday our midfield did things that shocked me.

I never thought we were as bad as our results reflected last year, but I also never expected this type of turnaround this quickly.

I think I'm shocked at how quickly Roos and co have turned us around.

[Its Time for Another 4,058]

Can you show me the part where i said it was ALL up to the players. I said that "coaching can only take a team so far". Ofcourse coaching is important, but it ultimately up to the players to perform.

In regards to players trying harder, i do believe players are definitely working harder in games, because they are beginning to believe, so yes, they probably in some way trying harder.

And i would say it is a combination of becoming good and being coached to be good (in reference to players specifically). I believe coaches can only teach or help so much, eventually it is up to the players to become good.

I'll give you a personal example. I play tennis, at a high level. I have an amazing coach and always have, but an issue was that i mentally didnt believe enough in myself. I have clicked and i am playing well and winning, but it was more up to me than my coaches

Coaches create Game Plans and Game Plans create predictability so players know what to do, where to kick to, where to run to etc. If they don't understand and/or believe in the Game Plan the team doesn't work and they look second rate.

Last year I was told that Howey had lost confidence because there was no way of knowing where or how the ball was going to be delivered into the forward line. So he would gut run doing leads and they were ignored. No one knew what they were doing so their confidence collapsed.

A player told me that playing this year is a lot easier physically than last year because the team has been taught the Game Plan to the level that they all know where to run to etc. He said it is a lot less taxing to run to a spot and actually have the ball kicked there whereas last year they were running to spots all over and the ball wasn't kicked there so then they had to gut run somewhere else all game.

That is coaching, that is why players who didn't look like AFL players are beginning to look like AFL players.

Thank you Roosy.

[Curry & Beer 5,444]

Coaches create Game Plans and Game Plans create predictability so players know what to do, where to kick to, where to run to etc. If they don't understand and/or believe in the Game Plan the team doesn't work and they look second rate.

Last year I was told that Howey had lost confidence because there was no way of knowing where or how the ball was going to be delivered into the forward line. So he would gut run doing leads and they were ignored. No one knew what they were doing so their confidence collapsed.

A player told me that playing this year is a lot easier physically than last year because the team has been taught the Game Plan to the level that they all know where to run to etc. He said it is a lot less taxing to run to a spot and actually have the ball kicked there whereas last year they were running to spots all over and the ball wasn't kicked there so then they had to gut run somewhere else all game.

That is coaching, that is why players who didn't look like AFL players are beginning to look like AFL players.

Thank you Roosy.

Yep has to be a complete change in mindset just knowing you have Roos in control instead of a muppet behind the wheel

[jnrmac 19,314]

I think Dean Bailey could coach but was instructed to play a certain way (!). In essence had one hand tied behind his back.

I think Neeld couldn't coach.

But Roos is a master coach. And it shows in every facet of how we play, how he conducts himself, how the players respond etc etc.

[Its Time for Another 4,058]

I think Dean Bailey could coach but was instructed to play a certain way (!). In essence had one hand tied behind his back.

I think Neeld couldn't coach.

But Roos is a master coach. And it shows in every facet of how we play, how he conducts himself, how the players respond etc etc.

I think those instructions are greatly exaggerated. There were only two danger games that year. At it's worst I don't think it would have been more than those two games and one of them was lost after the siren, the other was lost well before the siren but probably would have been lost anyway.