10 hours ago, 58er said:

No one will miss you carrying on so unthinkably stupid as you are.

This has been a well conducted process ( much quicker than We all thought) by a somewhat varied but independent group of people who have reached a very strong verdict as to who is the best candidate to take us forward.

It’s no good going off your lollie about who was not available no matter why or how this happened. You would be whinging in 3 weeks time if we were going through trade and draft period without a coach having his say. So please stop feigning outrage and indignation.

The overall result has been universally recognised and received as a progressive and astute decision based on Kings standing and record in the AFL over nearly 30 years.

All the best in your next job sounds like the leader of one of the less successful parties in Australian politics in Vic or Nationally would suit you.

Good luck El Supremo.

To be fair, Supreme Demon is not usually given to angry, insulting outbursts. This is very uncharacteristic. In fact, I had to check twice to see who was posting.

As SD said, everyone’s entitled to their opinion (and don’t I know it, I’ve been told this a bazillion times) and this applies across the board.

I don’t like much of what SD said but I don’t think fighting fire with fire is the way to go.

Then again perhaps there was a Cinderella clause, if your foot can fit into the boot that matches Jeff White’s face!

Can believe our media release didn’t start with according to Wilson, McClure, Barrett & Co. no matter when what how who our process was flawed and that’s how we ended up picking the horror writer Stephen King!

7 minutes ago, Ghostwriter said:

Yep, it was stupid. But most of the time players how tell the difference between so ******* dangerous and more innocent accidents and can forgive. I don't remember King being a thug. Actually despite being tall I don't remember him being a rough, physical -presence player.

1 hour ago, Jaded No More said:

Our track record with tall bald ruckmen is very strong. May this continue.

Needs a beard

5 minutes ago, Ghostwriter said:

To be fair, Supreme Demon is not usually given to angry, insulting outbursts. This is very uncharacteristic. In fact, I had to check twice to see who was posting.

As SD said, everyone’s entitled to their opinion (and don’t I know it, I’ve been told this a bazillion times) and this applies across the board.

I don’t like much of what SD said but I don’t think fighting fire with fire is the way to go.

If I heard someone losing their nut in the pub after we picked Neale Daniher i'd have been confused. But back then pre-social media I think those within earshot would have just shrugged their shoulders and maybe filed in the back of their mind that at least one supporter had reservations. SD could be right. No one can say. Anyway it's not like he said some really nasty slur and the whole room went quiet. As much as I c an get excited about a coach who can prove nothing for months I am.

5 minutes ago, Go Ds said:

Yep, it was stupid. But most of the time players how tell the difference between so ******* dangerous and more innocent accidents and can forgive. I don't remember King being a thug. Actually despite being tall I don't remember him being a rough, physical -presence player.

I looked at the vision and there certainly was no deliberate attempt to injure, not even much carelessness, no sign of White attempting to take possession of the ball. White was hit because there was an unusual hook and long follow through of the kick across King's body. Was there a 'kicking in danger' free paid? A genuine football act, unlike some we all recall.

10 minutes ago, Go Ds said:

Yep, it was stupid. But most of the time players how tell the difference between so ******* dangerous and more innocent accidents and can forgive. I don't remember King being a thug. Actually despite being tall I don't remember him being a rough, physical -presence player.

I don't hold animosity to King for the incident, things happen. It was Bomber Thompson's absurd carry on about it that I always hated.

And still do!

Apols if already covered but is there a good article somewhere that gives some in-depth detail about King and his coaching philosophy and strengths etc?

11 hours ago, Supreme_Demon said:

I am still angry about this [censored] stupid decision appointing some 2nd rate dud who only ended up coach of the Demons because nobody else seemed interested enough! How [censored] embarrassing!

Anyway, I am done. I am still far too angry at this stupid decision by the Melbourne Football Club. I am going to have a break for a long while until we get the [censored] homebase finally built at Caulfield Racecourse! If we can't do that the Club may as well [censored] fold!

The only thing that's second rate is this post. STD on the way out will ya.

It can be amusing how namesakes crop up. Stephen is less common than John but I can't remember tons of John King's as one example. Technically the writer is 'PH' and our new coach is Steven with a 'V'. But I'm sure there'll be some puns. Also there was a jockey SteVen King, best known for winning the Melbourne Cup on Let's Elope in 1991. Here's hoping for more Melbourne cups!

Let’s respect the process no guarantees but the coaching selection panel that recommended King comprised of Melbourne president Brad Green, chief executive Paul Guerra, director Steven Smith, football manager Alan Richardson, former Essendon captain Jobe Watson, Melbourne Storm football director Frank Ponissi and human resources executive Meahan Callaghan.

18 hours ago, Adam The God said:

One premiership as a captain and player. Two premierships as an assistant (2016 and 2022). I hope he doesn't get 3 as an assistant. Sorry Kingy. You're one of us now.

1 Premiership as Captain

1 Premiership as assistant 2016

1 GF for Saints in 2009

3 GF's in total. 2 flags.

Part of Geelong system under Bomber Thompson, Chris Scott. Played under Ross Lyon, assistant to Bevo. Learned struggle street under Dew (who learnt off Clarkson And Choco Williams as player/assistant), which is also a good thing. Done the time.

16 hours ago, Neil Crompton said:

What IP wouldn’t King already have? I would be very surprised if they let him go before they finish their season.

I think when he suggests to start Kossie in the middle next week, that might let him go a week early as his mind has already moved on! 🤞

11 hours ago, Supreme_Demon said:

I am still angry about this [censored] stupid decision appointing some 2nd rate dud who only ended up coach of the Demons because nobody else seemed interested enough! How [censored] embarrassing!

Adam Simpson, John Longmire, and Hayden Skipworth not interested at all! Nathan Buckley only having lukewarm interest. Why?! Are we that much of a basket case?!

This is like Dean Bailey in 2007 or Mark Neeld in 2011 all over again!

By all means, continue to laugh it up at me. I don't give a flying [censored]. I am entitled to my opinion and I am allowed to disagree with others. We will see who is right in the long run! If I am wrong, I will happily eat my own words with chocolate sauce on them! But my gut tells me this has been a huge mistake!

Hopefully, at the very least, we appoint a senior assistant like Ken Hinkley or someone else to help support Steven King. Otherwise, he will be absolutely thrown in the deep end.

What a total laughing stock our Club is. I have been a Melbourne Demons member for over 26+ years and besides our Premiership in 2021, it's been nothing but disappointment and frustration!

Anyway, I am done. I am still far too angry at this stupid decision by the Melbourne Football Club. I am going to have a break for a long while until we get the [censored] homebase finally built at Caulfield Racecourse! If we can't do that the Club may as well [censored] fold!

Need a hug ??

1 hour ago, Maldonboy38 said:

Can someone please explain the current negativity around Jones and Basset.

I understand that both of these men have been the line coaches in a team that has lost more than it has won over the past 2 years and so their jobs may no longer be guaranteed, but why so much ardent distaste and grief from Demonlanders?

Basset is building a very good coaching resume and Jones is an MFC superstar who played a big hand in calming the waters with both Clarrie and Trac. If they are not the right men to move us ahead under new coach Steven King, then fine, that is a reasonable discussion, but the heavy handed anger and loathing directed their way is a bit too much.

I'll be honest and put my hand up here. I have no issues with Bassett, however I feel Jones has a loser mentality, having lost close to 75% of the games he played with us and only knows the Melbourne way. He was also part of a very under performing midfield this year too. I think its best he was moved on and go learn a different skill set elsewhere before coming back, just an opinion thats all.

I hope it all goes well for King and his team, and that they can get the best out of the players.

My hesitancy is that I reckon we needed a task master. An old school crack the whip leader. The players appeared to get ahead of themselves as a Laissez-faire approach (presumed) didn't seem to get us results. I felt we let the tail wag the dog. The love for each other, didn't work as our human nature is not like that. Within groups, we tend to play roles, and that includes antagonist and boat rockers. I think the brain trusts had unrealistic expectations for the season of love.

With a feeling that King is a good bloke, it leaves me with trepidation that we haven't got someone who can stand up against the players and tell them straight with a hard edge, what is demanded of them.

Will he bring in the people he can work with, or is he maintaining the status-quo? There are plenty of strong egos in our club, can he manage them and become the top dog?

Would love for him to say, they (players and staff) better be prepared for hard work and to expect big changes. I don’t think just changing the game plan will get us there. We need someone to get into their heads in a positive way. Teach them how to win. Otherwise, why sack Goody, another of the modern likeable leaders, who they feel couldn't take us to the holy day again.

It will be interesting to see if he can turn our democratic tendency into a dictatorship. Which is what I believe we need.

Edited 9 hours ago9 hr by Kev

18 hours ago, Ghostwriter said:

I’m so pleased with the positive comments on here. I was dreading reading this thread but needn’t have been. Seems almost everyone is embracing this appointment 🥳

It’s only been a couple of hours, we’re still kicking the tyres, but to anyone who’s receiving this news with negative thoughts please consider this…

I was arguably Goody’s #1 fan. I was shattered when he was sacked and couldn’t imagine warming to any other coach. At the time I despised the new coach and I didn’t even know who it was, such was my heartbreak. So…

If I can get behind our new coach from day dot, anyone can. And not just get behind him but support him and have full trust in him, welcome him wholeheartedly.

Here’s the thing… he’s our coach whether folks like it or not. B!tcching and moaning won’t change that.

Before his appointment, when the interviews were still underway, of course there were negative and positive comments about all the candidates and that’s perfectly normal. But the nanosecond Steven was given the job, the negativity needs to stop because it immediately becomes unproductive and a waste of time and energy. It won’t change anything.

GOOD LUCK KINGY!!!

Well put. I had a period of mourning for Goody too, but now I’m embracing it.

We’ve got a well-credentialed coach; arguably the best on paper of the untried coaches on the market. On top of that, we didn’t allow ourselves to be mucked around Buckley’s indecision, and the announcement came leak-free. I feel like this has gone as well as it could have.

Change is good. This is a leap head-first in to the unknown, but I’m here for the ride and I’m right behind King. Can’t wait for season 2026 now, whatever that might look like.

The process itself seems quite robust with what I think is a successful outcome - in so far as due diligence and selecting a very strong applicant.

The era of the experienced senior coach mantra is fading as the game evolves rapidly. So many first time senior coaches feature now in the AFL - at top tier clubs no less.

I have nothing against Buckley or his personal process in applying but the club had it's own process and stuck to its guns. Furthermore they seem pretty stoked in getting King. As far as first time senior coaches go, King has top tier credentials.

I think some of the obsession with Buckley, stemmed from an irrational notion that the club somehow needed 'saving'. Reality is we didn't. We just needed a new senior coach along with a review of operations which usually happens in tandem with that hiring process. The club went about it respectfully and diligently.

I just wonder if Buckley liked the idea of coaching Melbourne more than actually committing. Not a criticism just a thought.

King, on the other hand comes across as not only a very high calibre football person but importantly focused on the job and club. This doesn't mean guaranteed success but it's a critical starting point.

Lastly, for S McClure to label the process as "shoddy" is not only petulant, but also insulting to the club and the high calibre people involved in the process. McClure continues to embarrass himself in his never ending quest for relevance.

1 hour ago, Maldonboy38 said:

Can someone please explain the current negativity around Jones and Basset.

I understand that both of these men have been the line coaches in a team that has lost more than it has won over the past 2 years and so their jobs may no longer be guaranteed, but why so much ardent distaste and grief from Demonlanders?

Basset is building a very good coaching resume and Jones is an MFC superstar who played a big hand in calming the waters with both Clarrie and Trac. If they are not the right men to move us ahead under new coach Steven King, then fine, that is a reasonable discussion, but the heavy handed anger and loathing directed their way is a bit too much.

Because Jones came in with no coaching experience and our midfield was garbage despite having the best ruck in the league.

Bassett has been around the traps for a while and was relegated to the SANFL before being brought back by his mate Goodwin. Our defence this year was also garbage.

Nice of the club to announce our new coach the day I fly back into the country. King’s appointment has instilled some excitement back into me that had been lost over the last season or two. Losing is one thing but the way we were losing was starting to cook me. This year was the first in 18 since I moved to Sydney that I didn’t sit down as soon as the draw came out and actively book flights for multiple games. This was due to the fact we already had a long o/s trip planned but also wanted to see how we started the season, after going 0 & 5 we didn’t bother. I’m now eagerly awaiting next years draw so I can lock some flights in.

I’m interested to see what happens now with regards to player movement, assistant coaches & how we play next year. Something I asked a few weeks back was who are all of Geelong’s star players, I would add to that who are all of the Hawks big name players on massive contracts that have gotten them through to a preliminary final. We still have the makings of a decent list with an obvious hole in the fwd line, would to hear King’s first conversation with Petty.

Re King, I think it's important for everyone as a whole not to expect a rebound or too much in 2026. May be wise to expect more in 2027. Patience while he settles in would be appreciated.

Lets hope it is not a horror show....

9 minutes ago, SFebes said:

Re King, I think it's important for everyone as a whole not to expect a rebound or too much in 2026. May be wise to expect more in 2027. Patience while he settles in would be appreciated.

I disagree, I’ve also disagreed with the notion over the years that it takes twelve moths or longer to learn a new game plan. End of the day there’s only so many ways to play the game & we still have a more than capable list. We are not Richmond who traded out the majority of senior players for picks, we’ll not anyway.

Edited 9 hours ago9 hr by Bombay Airconditioning

31 minutes ago, SFebes said:

1 Premiership as Captain

1 Premiership as assistant 2016

1 GF for Saints in 2009

3 GF's in total. 2 flags.

Part of Geelong system under Bomber Thompson, Chris Scott. Played under Ross Lyon, assistant to Bevo. Learned struggle street under Dew (who learnt off Clarkson And Choco Williams as player/assistant), which is also a good thing. Done the time.

12 minutes ago, SFebes said:

Re King, I think it's important for everyone as a whole not to expect a rebound or too much in 2026. May be wise to expect more in 2027. Patience while he settles in would be appreciated.

Craig McRae took a worse pies list from the same position to a 1 point loss in a prelim in year 1. we shouldn’t put a limit on anything we can do (granted they had Nick daicos come in) but we’ve got some really high end young players too.