NEALE DANIHER - TO FINISH AT END OF THE YEAR

[timD 994]

I am in shock, as I certainly didn't expect it to happen so quick.

I heard nothing all day as I was at work, but I am not at all surprised that Daniher did the dignified and honorable thing.

This is truly the end of an era, and everyone should feel a touch of sadness that someone who has given their all for 10 years is leaving.

I would like to thank him, as despite everything, he has done his absolute best for this club, and right till the end has put this club first.

His time has most certainly come and I'm thrilled that the club will part ways on good terms.

This has been one horrible season, but 2008 begins today as far as I'm concerned.

I endorse everything you've said Jaded. I am really sad to see Neale go, and admire the manner in which he has conducted himself over ten years. I had so wished that we could reach a flag for him and also Neita - thankless servants of the club. The vicious bile and hate directed by some from these very boards is an enormous shame.

A new coach will come, trade season will be harsh too, time now to dwell on our success and our loss.

[Dappa Dan 2,188]

Dappa - you make some good points, but do you really think guys like Davey and Robbo will be under threat? There are many questions to be asked and a new coach will bring new ideas, but I'm pretty sure that those guys are safe, Davey especially.

I still think Neitz will go on, although guys like Yze, Green, Bruce etc should all be looking over their shoulders.

Ok. Fair enough. Robbo is safe, an incoming coach isn't going able to relieve the club of one of it's leading goal-kickers who's only 29.

And yes, Davey is safe... what I meant was that Daniher goes to another club there is every chance Davey may feel some Reiwoldt-like loyalty to him. Daniher LOVES him and would hunt him. It's a very, VERY minor thing, but before today I thought Davey was one of a handful that were 100% safe. Now I think he's 99.9% safe, put it that way.

[Jarka 767]

This is time to acknowledge the contribution Daniher has made to the club over the last ten years, we all know the negatives so they don't need to be mentioned again. He's made his decision and I wish him all the best in the future.

My favourite Daniher moment was when he reinvented himself a couple of years ago to increase the club's profile.

[Deetastic 0]

I am sad by the news. I think ND is a great coach and will be a premiership coach somewhere in the future. However, I think it is probably a good decision as he has done his time, he is too close to the players and is struggling to get the best out of the list. I think a change could bring out something ND could no longer at the MFC.

I truely hope we get a mean, tuff coach who is not a rookie. The only rookie I would even consider is Mark Williams.

[Deano74 156]

Although most of us knew his time was up and we wanted him gone, the responses since his announcement today on this thread is a testament to the man. He was good for Dees and unfortunately we didnt get a premiership during his time, although gave us a good ride. I, like most, appreciate his effort.

[Jaded No More 59,177]

Ok. Fair enough. Robbo is safe, an incoming coach isn't going able to relieve the club of one of it's leading goal-kickers who's only 29.

And yes, Davey is safe... what I meant was that Daniher goes to another club there is every chance Davey may feel some Reiwoldt-like loyalty to him. Daniher LOVES him and would hunt him. It's a very, VERY minor thing, but before today I thought Davey was one of a handful that were 100% safe. Now I think he's 99.9% safe, put it that way.

There is always a risk of that happening, but IMO Davey loves the club more (I'm sure he loves Whelan more )

If anyone is going to lure him away, it would be his brother, not Neale.

At the end of the day, Daniher's favourites are mostly senior players, who by the time Daniher is ready to coach again, will most likely be finished anyways.

[occo 2]

Not that danners would read this but can i say that he has made a great decision. I myself have been very vocal about his performance, i wont deny that but i did feel a bit sorry for him with his media conference. Netherless he has made a good decision for several reasons:

a) The players wanted him to be resigned and if he had been fired, there may be some players that upset that they concider leaving. An extream but it could happen

b) Allows for the search for a new coach easily

[Supreme_Demon 3,020]

G'day Fellow Demons Supporters!

It's a bit sad to hear that Neale Daniher has resigned.

As Neale said himself "he tried his best" and I believe him. For 10 years Neale did the best he possibly could!

The MFC players have nobody else to blame but themselves for Neale Daniher resigning. If the players had put in better efforts and won the games that they should have won than none of this would have happened.

Oh well, I hope that the next coach of the MFC will finally bring us the Premiership success we have been striving for...

Personally I hope Michael Voss is appointed the next coach of the MFC......but time will tell.

GO DEMONS IN 2008!

From Supreme_Demon

[classy dees 42]

Neale summed it up properly today, today's decision/announcement is best for everyone.

Congrats Neale, you have been fantastic for the club, and the way you spruiked the club in the 00's was fantastic.

you gave 10 fantastic years to the club and gave your heart and soul and will always be remembered as a melbourne person. thankyou.

now we must move forward, the ND era has/will ended, lets hope the next one will be able to get us one step further, something which IMO neale deserved but was unfortunately unable to achieve.

[IWAP 168]

Thanks for the 10 years Neale

You got us through some turbulent times off-field

You put up with a lot of things at this club that most other coaches would never have to deal with

You got us to a grand final, when we had no right to be there

You helped developed some talented youngsters who will go on to great things for the MFC

You deserve the dignified exit to the club

You'll be getting a large round of applause this Friday night, from me at least

[DemonTux 95]

Poor bugger

Feel sorry for him

Thanks for the memories Neale

All the best to you in the future.

[deeangel 2]

I am deeply saddened for the rot he has had to endure from media speculation and some supporters intense and sometimes unfounded criticism. He has held his head high through board upheaval, shocking training conditions and now a wretched injury run.

Thanks ND for many wonderful moments- my best when Whitey kicked the goal against the Bulldogs to get us into the 2005 finals. ND's delight running down to the players was a classic moment!

A man of dignity, professionalism and integrity. Best wishes for your future!

[Geddy Lee 582]

Well done Neale, classy and appropriate exit.

I enjoyed the last 10 years completely obssessed with the football club you coached, and thanks for the 70% Collingwood beating ratio, the 2005 match against the Bulldogs and the 2000 Qualifying Final vs Carlton in particular. Good luck in your future endeavours.

[WonnaJurah 5]

well done on 10 years , in these days its hard to last that long, only sheedy has been coaching current side longer

[Real Demon 232]

He has been a class act all the way through, and has definitely breathed red and blue throughout his time at the club.

It's sad to see him go.......even though I believe it's the right time (based on my expert opinion!) :D

He has certainly taken us on a very enjoyable journey over the last 10 years........some great highs, and a few lows as well!

The Carlton final in 2000........that was something special!

[gOLLy 401]

Im saddened by the news but the time is right. Thanks for the memories ND and all the very best.

[Spirit of the Demon 211]

I'd like to congratulate Neale Daniher for ten years of sterling service for the Melbourne Football Club. He took us over as wooden spooners and had to coach for several years under great difficulty. There was the salary cap fiasco that cost us draft picks through no fault of the coach. There were the boardromm battles which destabilised the club and yet he coached on with dignity. There was the near financial collapse of a few years ago and he stood up and not only coached well but he spruiked for the club and this year, he's had to suffer through an injury plague as many of his best players went down injured. He took everything on the chin and in his stride and in the end showed his class by the selfless way he announced that this was his last contract year at the MFC.

Well done to the Reverend. Though the results on the field might not show it this year, you have truly helped lay the foundation for a solid future of the club.

[Dreamin' Demon 10]

I'd like to congratulate Neale Daniher for ten years of sterling service for the Melbourne Football Club

Well said Spirit, I totally agree. We will never know what ND could have achieved with this club, had everything gone to plan over the last 10 years. Good luck Neil with what you do in future, you'll be a great asset to any club which takes you on.

Thanks for the memories.

[DEES 0]

thanks Nd, appreciate what you did for the club and hope you do well in the future

[brentnall 0]

Thank god ND has stepped aside.

No more about him going now but now who will be in the box next year.

l know that some players will be happy to see the back of him and so will l but is this the right thing after all is it his fault that the team had such a bad start and could have played Newton when the forwards where down. Friday showed me that it was time not becouse of the loss but nnce again he chose to pick name over form. Neitz was out and Newton has been in form but NO he went for A.Yze how has been out of form and comong back from a injury well no time in the 2 and broke down right away.

WELL N.D YOU SHOOT YOURSELF IN THE FOOT

And could the new coach teach the team how to bring the ball into the 50 when Neitz is not there. It's simple watch any re run of a game this year if Neitz is there they place it on the lead. If he is not then they BANG it in for Robbo well how many big graps can one man take on their own. Yes we are a better team when Neitz is there but they need to learn how to go forward without him.

Well now the season is over for us dont expect to see to many new faces for N.D is trying to prove he is worth ago somewhere else so he will keep the same people in.

P.S give Buckley ago too for those that have been playing this year have had 12 rounds to prove themselves. Now that he has walked they will all be trying to prove themselves for the new coach now.

[Axis of Bob 10,390]

You're a cretin, Brentnall.

Anyway, this statement has typified ND as a person, as a coach and as a servant of the Melbourne Football Club.

He has always put the club before his own selfish desires, because he feels that what is best for the club will be the best for him. He has been honest, dignified and has left the MFC in a better state than he found it.

Kudos to you, Neale Daniher.

[emubitter 0]

bretnall, tell me which players will be happy to see the back of neil?

[old55 21,699]

Anyway, this statement has typified ND as a person, as a coach and as a servant of the Melbourne Football Club.

He has always put the club before his own selfish desires, because he feels that what is best for the club will be the best for him. He has been honest, dignified and has left the MFC in a better state than he found it.

Kudos to you, Neale Daniher.

Well said Bob.

Neale has been very good for MFC and I have always supported him for exactly the reasons you articulate.

Thanks Neale and all the best for the future!

[Alan Smithee 0]

Neale has been very good for MFC and I have always supported him

Thanks Neale and all the best for the future!

Here here!!

[Scoop Junior 3,055]

Thanks Neale for your work over the last 10 years.

You were the head of the team during some of my favourite Demons moments, with games such as the West Coast win in 1998, the Carlton qualifying final win in 2000 and the win at Geelong in 2005 being etched in my memory forever.

Thanks for helping to turn our club from a laughing stock in the mid 90's to a team that's played in 6 of the last 9 finals series and was regarded as a genuine flag threat at the start of this season.

Things didn't work out this year and there was a lot of bad luck, but sometimes that happens.

All the best for the future.