In times like these it is important for the board and management to remain calm and keep focussed on the bigger picture.

2008 is just one year of a 100 year history and the start of many, many more years to come.

Sure this year has been absolute crap for all members, supporters and the MFC. But the current AFL system allows teams to take a 'win' from a crap year in the form of an early draft pick. Collingwood and Hawthorn are two teams which have accepted a poor year or so to bring in 'class' which is what you generally get with the real early picks. Collingwood swapped Tarrant for a top ten last year in a good draft. Class lifts those good players around them. Kangas rested Simpsom ect last year when they recognised the season was over. They got Hansen a KPP in the draft.

As Collingwood were a couple of years ago we have had our season ruined by injury. It is hard to overcome that as confidence, self belief, group belief and teamwork slowly falls apart with losses.

Rather than dwell on the negatives this year could well be a watershed year for the club.

Seasons end will for sure see a number of players delisted or traded. All coaching positions will be reviewed then as well.

We have a number of good younger players coming through and the addition of some class will be good going forward.

It would be lunacy to sack the coach at this time. My reasons are that the coach has no control over injuries and the MFC has developed a reputation for stability over the last decade. Sponsors do not like to be associated with instability.

A Grand Final appearance over the next 3 years will see at least 8 plus different names (maybe even 12) to last nights a team. So we have to use this opportunity wisely in terms of recruiting, trading, delisting and football department review.

So what it all means is that the AFL gives clubs the chance to turn negatives into positives and only the very, very smart eg Hawks will be the winners. Lets hope the MFC can show some smarts.

Love your optimism, what do you think the odds are that we pick up a hard bodied in and under midfielder with our first pick then?

I think if a big KPP or ruck is available early then that is where we will go.

Last night our midfield was crap. But we know Brock etc is normally better than that so i am not to concerned. We still have TJ, Beamer to come back.

Also we looked slow in the back half. Bartram and Whelan will remedy this. Bartram on a run is pretty quick. He is also tough.

Its good to read some calm analysis when the headless chooks re-surface. Well done on a considered opinion amid the 'sack everybody' frenzy that permeates these boards at the moment.

As much as I hate what is happening at the club, and as much as I will never ever accept performances like last night, I think that this year is one that we had to have.

We needed a really poor season for everyone to wake up and realise that we need a new coach, that we need a change of attitude and leadership and that we have to be tough and trade those players who play like millionaires one week, but fail to turn up the next.

Bruce, Green, TJ... they are all in the same boat because they are now our core senior players and yet none of them have reached the level that we expected them to reach.

2003 was a shocking season, and yet if it wasn't for that miserable year, we never would have gotten Brock McLean.

If we look back on 2007 and mark is as the year that we finally made some big tough decisions and managed to pick up a few good players in the draft, than we'll probably begin to forget the night we got smashed by the Tigers. But while it is happening, it's very hard to see the positive light at the end of the tunnel.

Love your optimism, what do you think the odds are that we pick up a hard bodied in and under midfielder with our first pick then?

If we end up with either Kruezer or Cotchin it won't be a wasted year.

But while it is happening, it's very hard to see the positive light at the end of the tunnel.

You need to stop riding the wave We were always going to struggle to go places this year, regardless of injuries. I have to agree that this has helped put the nails in the coffin of ND's coaching tenure though.

If you have trouble seeing the light at the end of the tunnel choose your best 22 and then look at how many of them are young and inexperienced. Then look at the older guys in the team and ask yourself if you think they can be adequately replaced - or still be playing good footy - when our younger brigade are around their peak.

There's plenty to look forward to, as we'll be a better side in a few years time.

Just a few thoughts here PPD...

Sure this year has been absolute crap for all members, supporters and the MFC..... we have had our season ruined by injury.

We have suffered the fate of injury this year. But like other years, and with fewer injuries to key players, the club has still underperformed on expectation.

It would be lunacy to sack the coach at this time. My reasons are that the coach has no control over injuries and the MFC has developed a reputation for stability over the last decade.

Agree, but I am moderately confident this issue is being addressed now. IMO for too long we have been too timid & conservative in our management of this issue.

Sponsors do not like to be associated with instability.

Agree, but they also like to brand themselves with successful organisations whose winning culture is symbolic of their product & merchandise. The Mfc would not cut it for the Nike execs and their ' Just do it' campaign, would they?

Lets hope the MFC can show some smarts.

IMO they could have shown this earlier than now. The problem has been recognised and well voiced by the 'fickle supporter' way before season 07 even started.

As much as I hate what is happening at the club, and as much as I will never ever accept performances like last night, I think that this year is one that we had to have.

We needed a really poor season for everyone to wake up and realise that we need a new coach, that we need a change of attitude and leadership and that we have to be tough and trade those players who play like millionaires one week, but fail to turn up the next.

Bruce, Green, TJ... they are all in the same boat because they are now our core senior players and yet none of them have reached the level that we expected them to reach.

2003 was a shocking season, and yet if it wasn't for that miserable year, we never would have gotten Brock McLean.

If we look back on 2007 and mark is as the year that we finally made some big tough decisions and managed to pick up a few good players in the draft, than we'll probably begin to forget the night we got smashed by the Tigers. But while it is happening, it's very hard to see the positive light at the end of the tunnel.

Agreed. As long as the club does wake up, and makes the tough decisions, then this season will be bearable. If not, then its very hard to take an interest in this season.

In times like these it is important for the board and management to remain calm and keep focussed on the bigger picture.

Rather than dwell on the negatives this year could well be a watershed year for the club.

Spot on PDP.

The watershed time has arived after a roller coaster 10 years ( the period can never be accused of being dull, with more than a few highs.)

But, coaching and team leadership (on-field) will now be addressed.

Reputations will now finally count for nought. (Note Yze),

And we have a good solid young list coming on. Lets get the above key inssues dealt with over the next few months