Jump to content

  • IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING

    The Demonland Terms of Service, which you have all recently agreed to, strictly prohibit discussions of ongoing legal matters, whether criminal or civil. Please ensure that all discussions on this forum remain focused solely on on-field & football related topics.


Recommended Posts

Posted
8 hours ago, Sir Why You Little said:

I don't care what you think

If he wasn't made Captain which was one of the WORST decisions in the clubs long history of Bad Decisions Grimes would have been dropped a lot earlier

Like Trengove....Neeld (Read Schwab) made sure they were played way more than they should...

I am on record at the time saying Brad Green should be kept as captain. And he should have been but Neeld also rightly wanted change.

Who would you have made captain from our list in 2012 with the benefit of hindsight? 

Posted

Dunn didn't look comfortable with the VC mantle from early on. Surely other saw that too. Very happy with leadership choices, but seems like a lot of changes - did they get last year's group very wrong? I thought Lamumba, Dawes, etc were brought in for that purpose. What does that say?

The only query I have about the group is Tom McDonald. He might really take the next step on field this year (and hope he does), but probably would have waited another year, let him show consistency like Viney. No forwards in the LG?

Posted
1 hour ago, Wrecker45 said:

I am on record at the time saying Brad Green should be kept as captain. And he should have been but Neeld also rightly wanted change.

Who would you have made captain from our list in 2012 with the benefit of hindsight? 

Tough one Wrecker but if Neeld had wanted real change

Chris Dawes should have come into the club as a Captain

Premiership Player "This is how we do it"

Putting 2 Kids in the top job was just ludicrous

And it just eggagerated the fact that 'The Red & Blueprint was so heavily flawed...

Posted
1 hour ago, Sir Why You Little said:

Tough one Wrecker but if Neeld had wanted real change

Chris Dawes should have come into the club as a Captain

Premiership Player "This is how we do it"

Putting 2 Kids in the top job was just ludicrous

And it just eggagerated the fact that 'The Red & Blueprint was so heavily flawed...

I absolutely agree that making Trengove and Grimes co-captains in 2012 was terrible (I think you'd struggle to find anybody that didn't), but we also didn't have many options. Bringing in a player and making them captain right away (Dawes) can create a lot of tension in the playing group, especially if you're stripping the captaincy from somebody that's still on the list (Green). I said many times going back to 2011 that Jones should have been captain, however in hindsight I would've left Green in charge until he retired before promoting Jones. 

It's great to see that our club has finally recovered from the disaster that was the Schwab/Neeld era and that we at least have stable leadership at the top (Jones).

  • Like 1
Posted
2 minutes ago, Good Times Grimes said:

I absolutely agree that making Trengove and Grimes co-captains in 2012 was terrible (I think you'd struggle to find anybody that didn't), but we also didn't have many options. Bringing in a player and making them captain right away (Dawes) can create a lot of tension in the playing group, especially if you're stripping the captaincy from somebody that's still on the list (Green). I said many times going back to 2011 that Jones should have been captain, however in hindsight I would've left Green in charge until he retired before promoting Jones. 

It's great to see that our club has finally recovered from the disaster that was the Schwab/Neeld era and that we at least have stable leadership at the top (Jones).

Fair comment. But as was stated if Neeld wanted real change Chris Dawes was the right person. You only had to listen to him in Press Conferences. 

Grimes & Trengove as Captains would have caused tension within the group anyway and it wasn't their fault. 

The whole saga just showed there was no leadership coming from above...

  • Like 1
Posted

The players also had a say in the leadership group back in 2012 didnt they?
For the record here's that leadership group:

Trengove, Grimes, James Frawley, Mitch Clark, Clint Bartram, Mark Jamar, Nathan Jones and Colin Garland

Posted
3 minutes ago, DemonDave said:

The players also had a say in the leadership group back in 2012 didnt they?
For the record here's that leadership group:

Trengove, Grimes, James Frawley, Mitch Clark, Clint Bartram, Mark Jamar, Nathan Jones and Colin Garland

Apparently which makes it even worse...!

Posted
4 minutes ago, DemonDave said:

The players also had a say in the leadership group back in 2012 didnt they?
For the record here's that leadership group:

Trengove, Grimes, James Frawley, Mitch Clark, Clint Bartram, Mark Jamar, Nathan Jones and Colin Garland

And nothing has changed. The players are asked to vote based on a criteria set by Leading Teams. The criteria can be designed to achieve certain outcomes.

People talk about the LG setting the standards off the field. That may have been the case 10-20 years ago when you only had a coaching department of 3. Nowadays, there would be at least a dozen including support staff. Everything is mapped out for the players.

Just have a look at Luke Hodge. If he was the captain of a struggling club, he probably would have lost the captaincy. The club knows what he offers as an on-field leader, and the DD matter is quickly swept under the carpet. 

 

 

Posted
3 minutes ago, mo64 said:

And nothing has changed. The players are asked to vote based on a criteria set by Leading Teams. The criteria can be designed to achieve certain outcomes.

 

What criteria do they use Mo? I'd love to know how these mechanisms work, Leading Teams seem as mysteriously ambiguous as ever to me as to what they actually do

and how it benefits us one iota.

  • Like 1
Posted
1 minute ago, DemonDave said:

What criteria do they use Mo? I'd love to know how these mechanisms work, Leading Teams seem as mysteriously ambiguous as ever to me as to what they actually do

and how it benefits us one iota.

Without knowing the exact criteria, I suspect that it led to Dawes and Lumumba being overlooked for 1 reason, and Dunn for another.

  • Like 1
Posted

Leadership groups for sporting teams are a complete w@nk. Of all the ridiculous trends in football, this is right up there with the worst.

What was ever wrong with having a captain, and a vice-captain to replace him if he was unavailable?

It seems to me that having a group of leaders provides a "safety in numbers" feeling, rather than encouraging individuals (either inside or outside the group) to do their bit. I can't see what each of these blokes is actually doing that makes a lick of difference to anything. The best sides will still be the best sides because they have the best players, the crap sides will still be crap. Having a leadership group doesn't change a thing.

The fact that we have just turned over 5 of 6 of last year's group, after turning over 3 of 6 the year before and about half the year before that, shows that we have (a) no idea who our leaders are and (b) how to develop potential leaders into actual leaders. If you are going to have a leadership group, you should be in for a minimum of two (and three would be even better) years so that you can develop your leadership over that time. Chopping and changing every year benefits nobody, least of all the players themselves.

Dawes has never been a leader on or off the field, and never should have been selected. His multiple suspensions in 2014 and his inability to contribute consistently are proof of that. Lumumba was an even worse selection given his lack of commitment on or off the field. I like Grimes as a leader but you can't have fringe players as leaders (same for Lumumba). And Cross was only ever a short term selection. I thought Dunn had grown as a player and leader over recent years, and am disappointed he is not included again.

That said, Viney and McDonald were obvious selections and I'm glad they are in. I would have stopped there and not worried about the rest, none of whom I see as particularly being leaders.

  • Like 1
Posted

It's all pretty irrelevant apart from the captain. Leadership is shown by natural leaders on the field mainly, with a small amount of influence off field at training and avoiding idiotic behaviour in public. The leaders on and off field don't necessarily correspond to the official "leadership group". In fact I think there's something to be said for not having official leaders apart from captain and vice captain. It just promotes resentment on those who are not picked or are demoted.

Posted

I find it interesting that just because players are no longer in the leadership group that many automatically assume that they no longer have what it takes to be a "leader".

The omission of Dawes is fairly obvious  - he is struggling with his body and needs to concentrate on getting that right so he can play.

The omission of Lumumba and Grimes to me are equally obvious - both need to concentrate purely on finding good form to be selected in the team

The omission of Dunn is an interesting one - I am thinking with a seemingly limit on the numbers that with him turning 29 this year and the inclusion of Vince at 30 they wanted some younger leaders to be included.

 

I disagree with those who suggest that Dawes is not a leader. The debate about his value purely as a footballer  is valid but in my mind he is absolutely a leader - whilst he is rehab he was giving instruction to the Weed and Hulett on body positioning. No matter if he is getting a kick or not he is always marshaling the troops in the forward line.   

To those who insist that leadership groups are a complete w@nk - Every AFL club has one as do most top level professional teams that I know of. So obviously they see benefit of a leadership group that those calling it a w@nk just can't understand.  

  • Like 2
Posted
28 minutes ago, Diamond said:

. It just promotes resentment on those who are not picked or are demoted.

Care to give examples ?

Posted

Interview with Tom Mc: http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2016-03-11/were-attacking-it-right-way-mcdonald-

At last the message is getting across on what on-field leadership is all about:  “...need to be more vocal on the field with teammates, especially when it gets late in games and you’re tired. Sometimes you start thinking about where you need to be, but now in the leadership position, you need to be thinking about others and how they’re setting up.”

Not having this cost us several games in 2015.  The most notable one was the last 45 seconds of the St Kilda game.  The Collingwood game also comes to mind.  And all the games where our leaders go missing when we get behind and played as individuals not a team.

2016 will be different.

Posted
2 minutes ago, Lucifer's Hero said:

Interview with Tom Mc: http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2016-03-11/were-attacking-it-right-way-mcdonald-

At last the message is getting across on what on-field leadership is all about:  “...need to be more vocal on the field with teammates, especially when it gets late in games and you’re tired. Sometimes you start thinking about where you need to be, but now in the leadership position, you need to be thinking about others and how they’re setting up.”

Not having this cost us several games in 2015.  The most notable one was the last 45 seconds of the St Kilda game.  The Collingwood game also comes to mind.  And all the games where our leaders go missing when we get behind and played as individuals not a team.

2016 will be different.

This exemplifies what a [censored] the Leadership Group is. It should be incumbant on every player to be thinking of the team things, and not left up to the LG.

And why will 2016 be any different? 

  • Like 1
Posted
13 minutes ago, nutbean said:

I find it interesting that just because players are no longer in the leadership group that many automatically assume that they no longer have what it takes to be a "leader".

The omission of Dawes is fairly obvious  - he is struggling with his body and needs to concentrate on getting that right so he can play.

The omission of Lumumba and Grimes to me are equally obvious - both need to concentrate purely on finding good form to be selected in the team

The omission of Dunn is an interesting one - I am thinking with a seemingly limit on the numbers that with him turning 29 this year and the inclusion of Vince at 30 they wanted some younger leaders to be included.

 

I disagree with those who suggest that Dawes is not a leader. The debate about his value purely as a footballer  is valid but in my mind he is absolutely a leader - whilst he is rehab he was giving instruction to the Weed and Hulett on body positioning. No matter if he is getting a kick or not he is always marshaling the troops in the forward line.   

To those who insist that leadership groups are a complete w@nk - Every AFL club has one as do most top level professional teams that I know of. So obviously they see benefit of a leadership group that those calling it a w@nk just can't understand.  

I've come to the conclusion that leadership groups are overanalysed. 

A club needs leaders but the official titles are mainly nice for the individuals involved. Will Dunn no longer be consulted on matters where he would've been last season? I doubt it. I'm sure Jonesy will seek his input all the same.

My gut feel on leadership is the club now has some good leaders and is in the process of developing some great ones.

  • Like 1
Posted
Just now, P-man said:

I've come to the conclusion that leadership groups are overanalysed. 

A club needs leaders but the official titles are mainly nice for the individuals involved. Will Dunn no longer be consulted on matters where he would've been last season? I doubt it. I'm sure Jonesy will seek his input all the same.

My gut feel on leadership is the club now has some good leaders and is in the process of developing some great ones.

spot on

In answer to Mo64  - Tom Mc was actually quite contradictory in what he said. There is the quote above and then there is this

“It doesn’t change anything – we don’t want guys who are now in the leadership group to go and change the way they lead and doing different things, because that’s what got them there in the first place.

Confusing Tom !

Posted
1 hour ago, nutbean said:

spot on

In answer to Mo64  - Tom Mc was actually quite contradictory in what he said. There is the quote above and then there is this

“It doesn’t change anything – we don’t want guys who are now in the leadership group to go and change the way they lead and doing different things, because that’s what got them there in the first place.

Confusing Tom !

The Black Books episode on Team Leaders is so clever...

 

  • Like 1
Posted
1 hour ago, mo64 said:

This exemplifies what a [censored] the Leadership Group is. It should be incumbant on every player to be thinking of the team things, and not left up to the LG.

And why will 2016 be any different? 

We get it - you don't rate them.  Give it a rest.

  • 2 weeks later...
Posted
25 minutes ago, spirit of norm smith said:

Assume Jack Viney would step up to acting captain if Jonesy misses any games ...

Did a fair job against Port Adelaide in the first NAB game. Signs of things to come.

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Unfortunately, your content contains terms that we do not allow. Please edit your content to remove the highlighted words below.
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Demonland Forums  

  • Match Previews, Reports & Articles  

    TRAINING: Monday 17th February 2025

    Demonland Trackwatchers were on hand at Monday morning's preseason training at Gosch's Paddock to bring you their brief observations of the session. HARVEY WALLBANGER'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS Gentle flush session at Gosch's this morning. Absent: May, Pickett (All Stars) McVee, McAdam. Rehabbing: Great to see Kentfield back (much slimmer), walking with Tholstrup, TMac (suspect just a management thing), Viney (still being cautious with that rib cartilage?), Melksham (

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports

    MATCH SIM: Friday 14th February 2025

    A couple of Demonland Trackwatchers made their way out to Casey Field's for the Melbourne Football Club's Family Series day to bring you their observations on the Match Simulation. HARVEY WALLBANGER'S MATCH SIMULATION OBSERVATIONS Absent: May, Pickett (All Stars), McVee, Windor, Kentfield, Mentha Present but not playing: Petracca, Viney, Spargo, Tholstrup, Melksham Starting Blue 18 (+ just 2 interchange): B: Petty, TMac, Lever, Howes, Bowey Salem M: Gawn, Oliver, La

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports

    TRAINING: Wednesday 12th February 2025

    Demonland Trackwatchers braved the scorching morning heat to bring you the following observations of Wednesday's preseason training session from Gosch's Paddock. HARVEY WALLBANGER'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS Absent: Salem, Windsor (word is a foot rash going around), Viney, Bowey and Kentfield Train ons: Roy George, no Culley today. Firstly the bad news - McVee went down late, which does look like a bad hammy - towards the end of match sim, as he kicked the ball. Had to

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports

    MATCH SIM: Friday 7th February 2025

    Demonland Trackwatcher Gator ventured down the freeway to bring you his observations from Friday morning's Match Simulation out at Casey Fields. Rehab: Jake Lever and Charlie Spargo running laps.  Lever was running short distances at a fast click as well as having kick to kick with a trainer. He seems unimpeded. Christian Petracca, Kade Chandler, Shane McAdam and Tom Fullarton doing non-contact kicking and handball drills on the adjacent oval.  All moving freely at pace.  I didn’

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports 2

    TRAINING: Wednesday 5th February 2025

    Demonland Trackwatchers were out in force as the Demons returned to Gosch's Paddock for preseason training on Wednesday morning. GHOSTWRITER'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS Kozzie a no show. Tommy Sparrow was here last week in civvies and wearing sunnies. He didn’t train. Today he’s training but he’s wearing goggles so he’s likely got an eye injury. There’s a drill where Selwyn literally lies on top of Tracc, a trainer dribbles the ball towards them and Tracc has to g

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports

    THAT WAS THE YEAR THAT WAS: 2024

    Whichever way you look at it, the Melbourne Football Club’s 2024 season can only be characterized as the year of its fall from grace. Whispering Jack looks back at the season from hell that was. After its 2021 benchmark premiership triumph, the men’s team still managed top four finishes in the next two seasons but straight sets finals losses consigned them to sixth place in both years. The big fall came in 2024 with a collapse into the bottom six and a 14th placing. At Casey, the 2022 VFL p

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Special Features

    MATCH SIM: Friday 31st January 2025

    Veteran Demonland Trackwatcher Picket Fence ventured down to Casey Fields to bring you his observations from Friday's Match Simulation. Greetings Demonlanders, beautiful Day at training and the boys were hard at it, here is my report. NO SHOWS: Luker Kentfield (recovering from pneumonia in WA), also not sure I noticed Melky (Hamstring) or Will Verrall?? MODIFIED DUTIES (No Contact): Sparrow, McVee (foot), Tracc (ribs), Chandler, (AC Joint), Fullarton Noticeable events (I’ll s

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports 2

    TRAINING: Wednesday 29th January 2025

    A number of Demonland Trackwatchers swooped on Gosch's Paddock to bring you their observations from this morning's Preseason Training Session. DEMON JACK'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS Beautiful morning at Gosch's Paddock. Very healthy crowd so far.  REHAB: Fullerton, Spargo, Tholstrup, McVee Viney running laps. EDIT: JV looks to be back with the main group. Trac, Sparrow, Chandler and Verrell also training away from the main group. Currently kicking to each other ins

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports 1

    TRAINING: Wednesday 22nd January 2025

    Demonland Trackwatchers were out in force for training at Gosch's Paddock on Wednesday morning for the MFC's School Holidays Open Training Session. DEMONLAND'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS REHAB: TMac, Chandler, McVee, Tholstrup, Brown, Spargo Brown might have passed his fitness test as he’s back out with the main group.  Sparrow not present. Kozzy not present either.  Mini Rehab group has broken off from the match sim (contact) group: Max, Trac, Lever, Fullarton

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports
  • Tell a friend

    Love Demonland? Tell a friend!

×
×
  • Create New...