Only one way for the players to truly apologise (& improve)

[TGR 1,367]

We will get our sorry pressers....and how the team is going to make amends etc...and they might even show a bit next week.

But if the players are hell-bent on improving, they must do one thing; and that is opt-out of the AFLPA agreement that gives them the mandatory 6 weeks off.

If they are serious. If they are over being 3rd rate. If they want to maximise time/education under Roos, they should commit to returning 2 weeks early.

On 360, Roos has repeatedly stated his frustration that the pre-season period is actually too short to implement a detailed understanding of game-plan....and to work on deficiencies....because in the "old days, you had them for a lot longer over the break".

Yesterday at the game, MFC supporters reminded me of Peter Finch....they are slowly turning feral and will not take it any more.

[leucopogon 1,519]

good luck with that idea. Players are mostly downhill skiers (apologies to the few exceptions), for many this off season will be a permament holiday.

[La Dee-vina Comedia 16,808]

Query: Is the mandatory period 6 weeks? I thought it was more like 8.

As much as I'd love to agree with the OP, I don't see the point. If our club's players do it, then all the other clubs will too, which means we'd get no comparative value from the extra effort. Nevertheless, I'd like to see the players have a couple of weeks proper holiday but then work really hard during the rest of their mandatory break and come back at the end of it in the best shape they have ever been.

[TGR 1,367]

The whole point is maximising Roos' influence. Roos has complained this year that "you don't actually get to spend as much time with the players as you used to".

[Goodvibes 3,596]

If I was a negative, cynical, aggressive point scorer I'd point out that Roos took a couple of weeks off in the middle of this pre-season. But I won't do that.

[Waltham33 475]

I remember after the disaster of 99 the players committed to training everyday duringn the end of season trip. They came back fitter than ever and we had our most successful season since 64.

[jumbo returns 6,741]

I remember after the disaster of 99 the players committed to training everyday duringn the end of season trip. They came back fitter than ever and we had our most successful season since 64.

Yes, but there was some serious talent on the list that year.

[jabberwocky 2,301]

With this group we are going to get what we have always got.

The same players will come out and play decent footy and try to drag the others up. I really feel for N Jones.

Then there are those that have neither the desire or ability to play AFL football.

[Curry & Beer 5,444]

you can't just ask them to work 50 weeks a year

[praha 11,240]

They apologise every week.

Don't you read the weekly articles on melbournefc.com.au.

"We didn't come to play"

"We're embarrassed"

"We didn't want to win"

"We didn't play it out"

I'm just waiting for the headline that reads:

"I don't know why I'm getting paid to be honest"

Edited August 20, 2014 by praha

[What 18,810]

going over to Perth this week and winning against all odds like we did in 1998

Thats how the players can show they give a [censored]

[Sir Why You Little 37,046]

going over to Perth this week and winning against all odds like we did in 1998

Thats how the players can show they give a [censored]

But it would only be for a week. We have all seen it over and over before.

Win the last 2 convincingly and a few players may save their jobs. But i doubt it. The damage the players have created is to deep.

[jumbo returns 6,741]

going over to Perth this week and winning against all odds like we did in 1998

Thats how the players can show they give a [censored]

One of my favourite games of all time.

Still got it on VCR somewhere....

[WhyAlwaysMe 237]

But it would only be for a week. We have all seen it over and over before.

Win the last 2 convincingly and a few players may save their jobs. But i doubt it. The damage the players have created is to deep.

most of our best performances this season were after our worst, this hasn't happened for us for many years, at other clubs it a given, the players haven't created most of the damage, most are simply not good enough to compete on talent and require 100% effort just to be competitive, you can't bring 100% effort every week, the best sides can't do it either they win most games on talent, bring out there A GAME only when required.Our top 6 players are mid range, our bottom 6 are not up to this level, and we have no depth, luckily we have had few injuries, we will come close to winning this week thats another given, we'll still have a lot of problems.

[Little Goffy 14,578]

you can't just ask them to work 50 weeks a year

It's a strange thing how, in the lowest paid jobs people do have to work 50 weeks a year, then around the middle incomes the 6 weeks / 8 weeks guarantee comes in, and then as you get into the top incomes you start having work pay for long lunches because they are 'networking', and 'learning trips' to New York, London, and the Loire valley, and then you get a holiday because you've 'had to' spend so much time away from family.

That said, I don't think the mentality of seeing the players as some kind of property of the club helps anyone get anywhere. I think the AFL has slipped into the trap of being so anxious to do everything 'right' that the system is undermining player's autonomy and agency, and in the process undermining their personal initiative.

[Curry & Beer 5,444]

It's a strange thing how, in the lowest paid jobs people do have to work 50 weeks a year, then around the middle incomes the 6 weeks / 8 weeks guarantee comes in, and then as you get into the top incomes you start having work pay for long lunches because they are 'networking', and 'learning trips' to New York, London, and the Loire valley, and then you get a holiday because you've 'had to' spend so much time away from family.

That said, I don't think the mentality of seeing the players as some kind of property of the club helps anyone get anywhere. I think the AFL has slipped into the trap of being so anxious to do everything 'right' that the system is undermining player's autonomy and agency, and in the process undermining their personal initiative.

well not really mate.. isn't it standard practice for 4 weeks off a year for a salary gig? This is nowhere near enough for human beings not to go insane in the first place, but 2 weeks off? That's madness. These boys have it pretty good but remeber a weekly routine basically consists of running your arse off, lifting weights, watching your diet, no partying etc and these lads are in their twenties. No use getting the players in an adversarial mindset towards the coach and club

Edited August 20, 2014 by Curry & Beer

[bing181 9,242]

If they are serious. If they are over being 3rd rate. If they want to maximise time/education under Roos, they should commit to returning 2 weeks early.

No they shouldn't. There's no evidence that running your body into the ground during what is already a very long off-season has any long-term benefit.

[Pates 9,660]

No they shouldn't. There's no evidence that running your body into the ground during what is already a very long off-season has any long-term benefit.

Every player is expected to condition themselves during the break anyway, you would hope the fitness staff would be able to tailor programs that would allow the players to go another level without killing themselves.

I would really like this to happen and for it to be totally player driven with no coaches having to push players into it.

[frankie_d 1,471]

listening to Maxy on DTV

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2014-08-20/home-truths-aired-at-review-gawn

great interview - words like "you gotta be angry" are ok for me - some usual platitudes later on in the clip, but I think I'd go into the trenches with Max.

I hope his team mates are listening

[La Dee-vina Comedia 16,808]

listening to Maxy on DTV

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2014-08-20/home-truths-aired-at-review-gawn

great interview - words like "you gotta be angry" are ok for me - some usual platitudes later on in the clip, but I think I'd go into the trenches with Max.

I hope his team mates are listening

It would have to be a deep trench

[Gorgoroth 12,963]

La Dee, They said the same thing after (insert club/game here) FFS.

[ijbfossil 77]

Too many of them will never be good enough - they don't have the talent - that is the sad reality.

The booing was as pathetic as the game.

I really feel for Nathan Jones carrying the team on his back every week/year - he would know many of his team mates are simply not good enough footballers.

[Sir Why You Little 37,046]

Jared Rivers said the same thing after 186. But nothing has changed.

Maybe that's why he left.

Edited August 20, 2014 by why you little