article in the herald today stating that contract negotiations have been put off till the end of the year...danners seemed to have taken the decision with understanding...i think he and the board both know that after 10 years, this year will require the team to show some real signs of moving forward or other options will be looked at.

10 years means that this team is pretty match danners' own (even though as gardner says in the article, and i agree, he has had more than his share of external distractors to deal with over the years...now with a settled board and increased financial stability, excuse time is over) and its time for him to prove himself as a coach when there are so many good young options out there.

Just looking at the recent success of Roos and Worsfold makes you realise that the group of McKenna, Longmire, Bond etc. may have the nous to take us where the many daniher-sceptics think he will never manage

I'm happy with that article. Neale Daniher was a great choice as coach in 98. He's been great for MFC.

Of course I really hope we win the flag, but even moreso for Neale too.

Sheedy to underperform this year will leave the door open for ND to inevitably return to his roots .

Sheedy to underperform this year will leave the door open for ND to inevitably return to his roots .

Please let it be true.

Please let it be true.

Have you ever said anything positive about the MFC?

Have you ever said anything positive about the MFC?

I'll admit that I haven't been positive very in regards to ND, more specifically his game day tactics. But for good reason.

I would love nothing more than to be proved well and truly wrong and for and for ND's "run and carry" and "tempo" tactics to win Melbourne a Premiership. However, I just don't see it happening.

In terms of the playing group, I think that Melbourne are the strongest they've been in a long time, thanks partly to ND. However as a coach that's only half the job done.

But like I said before, I would love nothing more than to be proved wrong.

I reckon it's as much to do with ND, and the relationship between ND and CAC. Or even CAC on his own. I'm not too sure about the dynamic between the two of them, but I would assume that if ND were, hypothetically, to leave to the Dons or elsewhere there would be a gravitational pull for CAC to follow him, as their union has been a fruitful one. This, if my assumptions are correct, would be one of my greater concerns.

One thing's for sure. If Neale leaves he won't be long without a job. He would either stroll into a gig with Essendon or do a Wallet/Eade and just have some fun in the media (he's certainly been practicing) until a plum job comes available. He's earned a solid reputation.

The problem is we have recruited a "good" coach that's not sensational. We could do better, but we could do a LOT worse. IMO, if MFC's administrators were more ruthles they could possibly have pushed MUCH harder for Eade. As it stands Sheedy, Connelly, Thompson, Pagan, Williams x 2 and Viney are the only likely candidates for a job in the near future and I'm not fond of any of them for various reasons. Harvey, Longmire and Bond appear to have futures, along with Lyon who's the mega-coach from fantasy land. In all honesty I don't know whether I'd chase any of those besides, perhaps, Harvey.

So in a nutshell if we can't/don't want to go for an established premiership winning coach we're starting at square one again with an AC with no senior experience.

But I digress... a lot. If there is no vastly better coach coming available, then I hope the club doesn't let him go, at least for '07 and '08. After that, the list could look attractive to a new coach who wanted to come in post-Neitz.

There are many aspects that go into winning a premiership and game strategies is just one part. They alone will not win you a premiership. ND's tactics of "run and carry" and tempo" can still be successful whether we do actually win a premiership.

The tactics were put in place to address weaknesses in playing performances. Tempo football was clearly effective last year and allow us to close on games we would not have got near in thepast.

"Run and Carry" is being planned to address playing on certain grounds. Its being tested in the practice matches and its test is when it used in Adelaide and Subiaco.

But based on your cocked measure, you are unlikely to proven wrong in your own mind.

The fact is Clint/Pedro you have been proven wrong frequently on this site. And I have no doubt that ND sweats on your potted knowledge of game day tactics.

Your avatar is very good and accurately reflects the impression you make.

The problem is we have recruited a "good" coach that's not sensational. We could do better, but we could do a LOT worse. IMO, if MFC's administrators were more ruthles they could possibly have pushed MUCH harder for Eade.

.......

So in a nutshell if we can't/don't want to go for an established premiership winning coach we're starting at square one again with an AC with no senior experience.

But I digress... a lot. If there is no vastly better coach coming available, then I hope the club doesn't let him go, at least for '07 and '08. After that, the list could look attractive to a new coach who wanted to come in post-Neitz.

Eade has sacked by Sydney and overlooked by a number of clubs in their efforts to appoint their next coach ( Richmond and Hawthorn). He has yet to prove himself at the Dogs but has inherited a good emerging list of young players. He is hardly an uber coach. So based on what's available how could we have done better with what was available when ND's contract was due?

Your avatar is very good and accurately reflects the impression you make.

I don't see what Fred Durst or Clint Bizzell have to do with any of this...

Maybe its the cap over the eyes!....Hmmm

Maybe its the cap over the eyes!....Hmmm

I used to be very pro Daniher however recently I think that both parties need a fresh start. The only reason for this is lack of success, 10 years at the one club without a premiership is a record if i remember correctly.

On the contrary, aside from a premiership and given the factors that have impinged upon his opportunities (eg Board upheaval, inheriting a crap list, salary cap suspensions etc), Daniher has been relatively successful and deserves the right to approach this year with the Club's and supporters full backing.

The article in the Hun reflects a mature and sensible approach to the issue by MFC and ND and both should be congratulated for their stance.

Given the potential of our list and your belief that you need a fresh start, who would you have in ND's place Jarka? Who is available and would do a better job?

If there is no vastly better coach coming available, then I hope the club doesn't let him go, at least for '07 and '08. After that, the list could look attractive to a new coach who wanted to come in post-Neitz.

Just like what I said to you the other night... it's better the devil you know.

Unless there is an obvious better choice out there, I rather stick with Daniher, at least while we're still in the Neitz/White- era (or 11-12pm on the clock, whichever you choose).

I'm not his biggest fan, but he knows how to build a list from scratch, and he's proven that. Whether he can coach us on the day to take the flag, is another story. I guess the proof can only be in the pudding. But one thing is certain... we could do worse, a lot worse!

I find it very annoying when people talk and assume about ND going back to the Bombers as coach. How long did he play there? I don't really know but am guessing-4 years. How long at MFC?-almost 10 years.

"My heart and effort's are all in the MFC"- ND. He is more a Melbourne man that a Bomber!

So based on what's available how could we have done better with what was available when ND's contract was due?

I prefer Eade on match-day to ND. Simple.

I don't know about Rocket as an orator, inspirer or recruiter, but his tactics are as sharp as anyone's in the AFL currently, at least IMO. In that field he has Neale's measure. That said, time will only tell if he can bring it all together. It should also be noted that once Rodney took over at the dogs we had intakes of players that included, among them, players like Jones and Bartram. There's no telling what direction CAC or whatever recruiter we would have hired might have taken were they hired at ND's detriment. Also, I'm enormously pleased ND is trying new things in the Nabby. As time has gone on he's shown a propensity to look outside the box. I'm certainly willing to see where he's headed with this newfound lateral thinking.

And RR, on the subject of ND, I am well and truly behind him for 2007, and I only need to see some progress within reason for me to be on his bandwagon for 2008. Don't let my hypothetical coach hiring scenario fool you into believing that I don't think he's the man for the job.

One thing that I would suggest applies to him as much as every player and coach since Ronald Dale is that loyalty is portable. I love that he talks up MFC, and I love that he considers himself, at least publicly, to be our man. But I don't believe for a second that he wouldn't be equally as loyal to ANY of the other 15 clubs should he one day find himself there. I'd suggest that the chances are slim that he would stay with the demons until his retirement. He's relatively young as far as coaches go, and unless he wins a flag SOON, thereby locking in a long-term contract a la Williams, you'd think his future may include at least 1, maybe as many as 3 other clubs. So with all that in mind, I'm relatively resigned to the fact that there will come a day where the demons will meet ND as an opposition coach on match day.

One other thing plagues my mind, as indirectly touched upon by Paul Gardiner in today's Hun. He suggested something about "long term success" which got me thinking. One thing I worry about is that when Neita and co retire, and assuming ND leaves, we may find ourselves in a rut. Can the club afford that? If Neale stays on with a weakened (but not weak) list, perhaps you could assume that we have the potential to hover around the middle of the ladder for a few years before relaunching. Neale's record of reaching finals is pretty good, and I'm not sure the club could handle 3-5 years worth of bottoming out like the Hawks/Saints/Bombers/Blues. If Neale stays long term will we have a chance to win a flag in that time? Can we afford a sharp membership drop-off? I worry.

I prefer Eade on match-day to ND. Simple.

I don't know about Rocket as an orator, inspirer or recruiter, but his tactics are as sharp as anyone's in the AFL currently, at least IMO. In that field he has Neale's measure.

Well he didn't have his measure the last time we played each other. ND had a comprehensive win.

Very upset with this from ND...he should be axed in 07 even if we win a flag...which is not going to happen for another 20 years as MFC are going backwards i recon

On the contrary, aside from a premiership and given the factors that have impinged upon his opportunities (eg Board upheaval, inheriting a crap list, salary cap suspensions etc), Daniher has been relatively successful and deserves the right to approach this year with the Club's and supporters full backing.

The article in the Hun reflects a mature and sensible approach to the issue by MFC and ND and both should be congratulated for their stance.

Given the potential of our list and your belief that you need a fresh start, who would you have in ND's place Jarka? Who is available and would do a better job?

I'm not convinced by the potential of our list, we have some very good young midfielders but we have huge holes down the spine and in the ruck. For example, who is a CHF? Once Neitz retires who will take the FF spot? We don't have any obvious players to fill the role and to win a premiership you need at least one key forward not to just kick a bag but to provide a target up forward.

Carroll is doing an admirable job but we still have problems with tall defenders.

After 10 years using the inheritance of a crap list is no longer a valid factor, neither is the board upheaval nor the salart cap suspensions. We as a club need to stop looking for reasons of failure if we wish to dare to be the best.

I do agree though that he is a much better coach now than when he first started but how long do you give someone to prove themselves? Our club has consistently shown a complete inability to win the hard contest once the real stuff begins ie finals and that is something that only the coach can take responsibility for.

Who is available? We've seen Worsfold and Roos start their careers while we've continued with Daniher, I'm not saying that we could've got either of those guys but that's a pretty weak excuse for keeping Daniher, there will always be new blood coming through. My biggest issue with us at the moment is that there is a sameness about the club, the footy world's view of us is that we're a flashy side who play an attractive style but crumble when the heat is raised during finals.

But in saying all this don't think that I want him to be sacked right now, that's just being silly. He should have the complete backing of the club, however if we finish outside of the top 4 then I think we should be looking elsewhere.

Very upset with this from ND...he should be axed in 07 even if we win a flag...which is not going to happen for another 20 years as MFC are going backwards i recon

this would have to go close to being the most nonsensical thing i've read on this board.

mark riley on sen today (who incidentally impressed me greatly with what he had to say) said that this was a decision was a mutual one made by ND, PG and SH. it has its pro's (mfc not tied into something which at the end of 07 may not be working, forces the playing staff and group to perform because if ND is out many favourites will go) and cons (see all that ridiculous media surrounding hawthorn and clarkson not long ago), but at least the decision is made and now we dont have to worry about it. you shouldn't need to worry about contracts when there are games to be won.

It's interesting to compare this approach with the one Collingwood has taken with Malthouse. The Pies recently extended MM's contract by a year, much to the chagrin of a number of Collingwood supporters.

I think it's going to be a difficult decision for Daniher and the club come September irrespective of whether we make the top four.

One the questions that has to be asked is whether the players can have the same message drummed into them year after year and still continue to improve. That can only happen with great coaches and I don't think it's happened before for 10 years with a coach who hasn't won a premiership flag.

[Admin edit: Please stop posting rubbish]

Edited March 7, 200718 yr by Nasher

My biggest issue with us at the moment is that there is a sameness about the club, the footy world's view of us is that we're a flashy side who play an attractive style but crumble when the heat is raised during finals.

But you don't want us to try any variations in the game plan, just kick it long.

But in saying all this don't think that I want him to be sacked right now, that's just being silly. He should have the complete backing of the club, however if we finish outside of the top 4 then I think we should be looking elsewhere.

You've just given him a massive bake but you're right behind him - trying to push him off a cliff.

I'm not convinced by the potential of our list...

This common sense thing could really take off one day.

Great post.