positive article from Robert Walls

[Guest unstable punt]

http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/news/come...6207414361.html

I like the fact that he says we've been copping from all angles, because l think we have been copping it from the media very unfairly, there are many changes at the club but these have not been mentioned. Its all about lack of supporters, lack of passion, lack of homebase, to tell you the truth l'm frickin' seething with anger at the minute over our treatment form the tossbags in the media. At least wallsy gives us something positive about the coach even though he has a dig at the old blokes not performing. Thats something we'll have to deal with for this year because half those blokes mentioned will be gone next year and the other half the year after that.

[Guest melbman]

It did seem more balanced than the usual headline grabbing tripe served up by others

[Diablo 1]

http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/news/come...6207414361.html

I like the fact that he says we've been copping from all angles, because l think we have been copping it from the media very unfairly, there are many changes at the club but these have not been mentioned. Its all about lack of supporters, lack of passion, lack of homebase, to tell you the truth l'm frickin' seething with anger at the minute over our treatment form the tossbags in the media. At least wallsy gives us something positive about the coach even though he has a dig at the old blokes not performing. Thats something we'll have to deal with for this year because half those blokes mentioned will be gone next year and the other half the year after that.

I'm not so sure that the club in general has been copping it unfairly; I think the criticism directed at the club has been predominantly justified. What sh1ts me to tears is the people having a dip at Bailey after one game. There have been people in the media taking little veiled, gutless potshots, and some people on Demonland and particularly Demonology have been less restrained in their attacks. People don't seem to appreciate the enormity of the task facing the man.

It's his first time in such a position.

He has a half-decent at best list to pick from, full of players who haven't played consistently for donkey's years due to injury.

He has no real group of players from the halcyon bracket of 23-27 years old band.

His senior players are ostensibly a bunch of heartless or withered flogs with absolutely no leadership quality whatsoever. I'm trying not to be disrespectful here; a couple of these guys have been wonderful servants of the club. But part of being a champion is knowing when to move on, rather than hanging on like a rusty nail and becoming a burden on the team.

[Hannabal 4]

In the last paragraph he elequently sums up our atrocious list management over the last 3 years. Thanks Craig and Neale.

The Brisbane Lions in 2008 have a better list than Melbournefc. What a joke. They experienced a golden era of 4 straight grand finals culminating in 3 flags, then had to set about the task of rebuilding on the back of an exodus of premiership stars. Some of which include Voss, Lynch, Hart, McRae, Pike, Scott brothers, Michael, Akermanis, and Keating. They lose at least 10 very good premiership players and already have a superior outfit to the mighty Dees.

It makes you want to cry.

[beelzebub 23,383]

That was quite interesting....not sensationalist, fairly even, had substance without exageration....my god...it was almost journalism.

Well it certainly made a change to read something positive. its a bit like the shampoo ad; Melbourne will happen, just not overnight !! And you would have to be either a fool or a dreamer of extraordinary imgaination to think too much was ever going to happen this year. We're probably all a little guilty I suppose at times.

There's a long haul ahead....more pain.. more heartache. A successful Melbourne wil probably bear little resemblance to todays starting list. Thats as inevitable as it is a good thing. Sounds like we have the Man for many Seasons !!

[warren dean 193]

Don't get too excited - the article is by Robert Walls- quite possibly the worst coach in league history to win a flag (purchased, by the way!). He hates Sheedy so any opportunity to pot him won't be missed. I like the way he pumps up his own tyres in that he mentions Rohde contacted him to meet with Bailey. Has zero credibility after his call on the Swans back in mid 2005. I think Paul Roos was right to have nothing to do with him. Says it all really!!

[beelzebub 23,383]

Well..I didnt see him have a pot at Sheeds... and it was his assessment of the situation that was quite good..had nothign to do with his ability or otherwise as a coach.

WD..Id say your comments reflect more about what you think of Walls..than his ability to put anything balanced or sensible together.

[warren dean 193]

Well..I didnt see him have a pot at Sheeds... and it was his assessment of the situation that was quite good..had nothign to do with his ability or otherwise as a coach.

WD..Id say your comments reflect more about what you think of Walls..than his ability to put anything balanced or sensible together.

Yeah, you're probably right, although, I thought his mention of Sheedy in the article was an opportunity to rub it iin that he had applied for the job with some enthusiasm and was overlooked despite his record in favour of a novice. Maybe just my interpretation - but I don't like the bloke at all - on that score you are correct!

[Jaded No More 68,974]

In the last paragraph he elequently sums up our atrocious list management over the last 3 years. Thanks Craig and Neale.

The Brisbane Lions in 2008 have a better list than Melbournefc. What a joke. They experienced a golden era of 4 straight grand finals culminating in 3 flags, then had to set about the task of rebuilding on the back of an exodus of premiership stars. Some of which include Voss, Lynch, Hart, McRae, Pike, Scott brothers, Michael, Akermanis, and Keating. They lose at least 10 very good premiership players and already have a superior outfit to the mighty Dees.

It makes you want to cry.

Absolutely.

We've had numerous golden opportunities to get rid of Yze, Bruce and Green. Had we acted on time, we could have probably got a top 10-15 pick for each of them. Who knows what those picks could have got us.

We held onto senior players in the hope they'll come good, and they never did. Trading Woewodin was the bravest thing we did in 10 years, and it worked out so well for us. We should have ignored the noise and just gone and done it.

Now we're stuck with senior players who have done little in well over 2 seasons, are worth nothing to other clubs and who are draining us of millions of dollars each year. It sure does make you want to cry!

[beelzebub 23,383]

Fair enough.. I sort of gatherred that..lol. He mentioned Sheeds..because it was relevent.. it was Sheeds Bails beat to the job.. and the context was appropriate I thought. I dont particularly think Walls can coach that well myself. He has some ...funny ways...but that said...what he wrote about Bails ,I thought had some insight.

Ive never met Dean ( yet ) ..he had. Walls was a coach so at least knows what the job is. His assessment of Bails I found encouraging. People also ( especially the kitty litter brigade ) are quick to forget how long Bomber had to battle to get anywhere. Everyone seems to think this guy ( DB ) is the goods, but it will take time.

[beelzebub 23,383]

In all reality there is only so much anyone can do this year.. The real Dean Bailey wil emerge from the shadows at Culling Time !! If any player has half a brain and a modicum of talent...he'll adapt to what ever he's told to do...or start up an account at Seek

Bailey wont make these mistakes.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

Absolutely.

We've had numerous golden opportunities to get rid of Yze, Bruce and Green.

And not Robbo? Oh of course he bleeds red and blue.

Green is a run of the mill tries hard player. It would be a bigger steal than the Jono Hay deal if we got a Top 10-15 pick for him.

[beelzebub 23,383]

And not Robbo? Oh of course he bleeds red and blue.

Touche !!!

Too often emotion and irrationality defeats logic !!

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

In the last paragraph he elequently sums up our atrocious list management over the last 3 years. Thanks Craig and Neale.

The Brisbane Lions in 2008 have a better list than Melbournefc. What a joke. They experienced a golden era of 4 straight grand finals culminating in 3 flags, then had to set about the task of rebuilding on the back of an exodus of premiership stars. Some of which include Voss, Lynch, Hart, McRae, Pike, Scott brothers, Michael, Akermanis, and Keating. They lose at least 10 very good premiership players and already have a superior outfit to the mighty Dees.

Its haunting us badly.

[Jaded No More 68,974]

And not Robbo? Oh of course he bleeds red and blue.

Green is a run of the mill tries hard player. It would be a bigger steal than the Jono Hay deal if we got a Top 10-15 pick for him.

At least Robbo has achieved something concrete recently (B&F's, All Australian representation, leading goal kicker, helping us make the finals). What have the other 3 done?

Besides, I wasn't against trading Robbo last season. For a good price almost anyone is disposable.

3-4 years ago Green could have got us a top 15 pick (maybe not a straight swap, but one involving Green and a draft pick, or Green and another fringe player). West Coast, given their lack of forward power, could have used someone like Green in their forward rotation, so could the Bulldogs, just to name a few.

We managed to get pick 14 for a troubled, over-the-hill TJ.

[Neita3000 37]

Does anyone remember his article last year where he mentioned about 5 melbourne players that should be traded at the seasons end?

I think it was before the adelaide match cause I remember Grenny after his 38 possie game remarking how "wallsy had bruce going to syndey"

anyway suppose he was rigth in one way or another

[beelzebub 23,383]

If I could draw an analogy I suspect his year is essentially an audition for the next few. whilst Bailey will undoubtedly like to taste some success it wil be done with a goal in mind. That goal is most likely not this year, nor the next, but probably some expectation of serious change and results come 2010.. Some players dont know it yet but they are just stand-ins !!

It will take a couple of years for the new team ( footy dept etc ) to start assembling the material THEY want...to play THEIR game !!

Whilst its probably almost crude to start speculating about Draft-trade time , be prepared for some wholesale prinung at the end of this year. Bails just doesnt strike me as being up for some of the garbage we all know took place in the name of selection!!

Make no mistake...this will become a very different team .

[Redleg 41,627]

In the last paragraph he elequently sums up our atrocious list management over the last 3 years. Thanks Craig and Neale.

The Brisbane Lions in 2008 have a better list than Melbournefc. What a joke. They experienced a golden era of 4 straight grand finals culminating in 3 flags, then had to set about the task of rebuilding on the back of an exodus of premiership stars. Some of which include Voss, Lynch, Hart, McRae, Pike, Scott brothers, Michael, Akermanis, and Keating. They lose at least 10 very good premiership players and already have a superior outfit to the mighty Dees.

It makes you want to cry.

Can feel my eyes moistening.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

At least Robbo has achieved something concrete recently (B&F's, All Australian representation, leading goal kicker, helping us make the finals). What have the other 3 done?

Funny, so has Yze!!!! And Bruce has been consistently performing and achieving the most important ...helping us make the finals

But Robbo is a protected species. Its pathetic you cant see your double standards.

Robbo is now a dinosaur in todays game that demands offsensive pressure, mobility and teamwork. He is a selfish GOTY/MOTY specialist who does not chase and has not worked out like you what is required in the modern game.

We should have traded Yze in 2004 and Robbo in 2005. We missed how the game has changed in the past 3 years and our list reflects that.

Besides, I wasn't against trading Robbo last season. For a good price almost anyone is disposable.

Great. He was damaged goods by then with penchant for selfish play and a bad knee. We would have got little.

3-4 years ago Green could have got us a top 15 pick (maybe not a straight swap, but one involving Green and a draft pick, or Green and another fringe player). West Coast, given their lack of forward power, could have used someone like Green in their forward rotation, so could the Bulldogs, just to name a few.

We managed to get pick 14 for a troubled, over-the-hill TJ.

[beelzebub 23,383]

Rhino...I hear ya pain brother.. I hear ya pain !!! lol. People need to stop thinking in terms off "personalities' all the time and think of the team as a car... They are all components. They ALL need to work properly and reliably. Once they stop doing that ...you either ovrehaul ( if injured )..or you replace.. Otherwise everything suffers for the want of this part or that.. End result..a crap car.!! Sound familiar ??

[Jaded No More 68,974]

Rhino, all you're doing is trying to pick a fight with me, when in fact you probably agree with what I'm saying.

Bailey got rid of all the players who were out of contract that he felt were not needed (sadly our under performing 'stars' were contracted for 2008). Robbo was out of contract and he kept him. It was his decision, and I support him. If Robbo was traded, I wouldn't have disagreed with Bailey's decision either.

I might be a fan of Robbo's but at least I don't ignore his achievements out of spite like you. Robbo helped us make finals as much as Bruce and Green ever did.

I also never talked about direct swap, as these hardly ever occur these days. TJ is trouble, and in your own words rarely delivers on his talent. At 28 he is very much past his peak, as is Robbo, as is Bruce, as is Yze. Which only validates my point that we should have traded them while they still had some currency.

But go ahead, climb on that horse of yours and dismiss my argument through picking a pointless argument.

[beelzebub 23,383]

ahhh...this is the crux of what is /was wrong with melbourne...we all look at players in terms of achievements....the wise one looks at them in terms of potential..

Its not what they did...or what they will/can do now.

Nostalgia wont will you a cup any day of the week !!

[beelzebub 23,383]

The dif betweem Melb and Brisbane.. The lions would have let Roobo go and made the best of any trade.. Bit like cleaning a wound...simple as that..Some small pain for a better outcome.. what do we do...just whack another bandaid on and hope for best!!

[Redleg 41,627]

The dif betweem Melb and Brisbane.. The lions would have let Roobo go and made the best of any trade.. Bit like cleaning a wound...simple as that..Some small pain for a better outcome.. what do we do...just whack another bandaid on and hope for best!!

Its never too late to start.

[beelzebub 23,383]

Its never too late to start.

agree 100%

possibly I should have put it as...what we used to do !!