Leaderboard

As Melbourne supporters I think we're all used to failure and disappointment. We've witnessed some pretty miserable times over the last few years, but even during the worst moments there was cause for hope. We could assure ourselves that we would rebuild, gain some high draft picks, get some games into the kids and eventually re-emerge as a premiership contender. We could stomach 2008 because we all knew that, after a season or two of pain, we'd be back with a team full of young-guns that would be the envy of every team in the league. I don't think any of us could have really "enjoyed" the Bailey years, but at least we were able to delude ourselves into thinking there were signs of progress or that we were heading in the right direction. Every drubbing only brought us one step closer to a priority pick, afterall, so there wasn't much downside was there? Now, though, I just don't know what we have to pin our hopes on. This will be 6 consecutive years down the bottom of the table and we're literally in a worse position than when we were in 2007. None of our high draft picks have come on, so we can't even cling to the ephemeral hope that we can tank our way back to competitiveness. You could give us the first 3 draft picks for the next 5 years and it wouldn't make any difference: we'd be playing them in a losing team with no leadership to speak of, destroy their confidence, then flay them alive on our messageboards for failing to save us from ourselves. Morton was drafted as a kid with sublime skills; 4 years on, he can't hit a barn door. Trengove, potentially a number 1 pick, is yet to have a standout game and this year can't even get his hands on the footy. Jack Watts - the kid drafted as the solution to our tall forward woes - returns from two games in the seconds to play as a loose man in defence. None of them have shown any real progress since being drafted, why should we expect the next batch of youngsters to be any different? Some might console themselves by thinking that Neeld is instilling some toughness in the players, demanding accountability and adherence to structures whatever the consequence on the scoreboard. If he has been doing this, then frankly I'm not seeing any signs of it. We have literally never looked like a less capable football team. We can hang the senior players for going missing, and while they must accept their share of the blame, perhaps they can be excused for failing to show leadership. They were, afterall, dumped from the leadership group by a guy who'd only been at the club for 5 minutes and replaced by a couple of 20 year-olds. For all their faults, it must be difficult to find the motivation to lead when the coaching staff shows you as much confidence as that. Say whatever else you like, Neeld has completely lost the players. So where to? Changing coaches doesn't work, high draft-picks don't work, changing the leadership group does't work... what's left? Do you want to tell me this just a practice season? That we should be too concerned about the results, because the real importance lies in Neeld drilling the players with what's expected to them? Fine, but my reply would be that we've already had 5 seasons like this where the results are "not important" and where has it got us exactly? At some point we're actually going to have to start playing real football instead of making sacrifices for some distant point of glory in the future that's frankly looking more and more distant with each passing week. Besides, what's my motivation for watching / attending games where the team I support isn't really interested in competing? Perhaps I should just step away until the team decides they've undergone enough "training" or "practice" or "got enough games into the kids" to actually start trying? When do we expect that'll be? So I don't know. I'm completely bereft of hope, and when a fan can't find even the flimsiest pretext to cling to in hope then what point is there? Why am I enduring this misery when I don't expect it to lead to anything except more misery? How can I take another five years of this crap and retain even the slightest bit of passion for this team? What, finally, do we have to look forward to? Can anyone give me anything?

Time to bring back this beauty from a few years ago:

Hope? Right now, there's none. Not for 2012. I'm not putting myself through this for the playing group any more. No way. I'm going through it for me. Why? Why the hell would I put myself through this? Because in that last day in September, when I see the Melbourne captain and (hopefully) Mark Neeld lift that cup aloft, I will be able to look back and say I was there in the darkest of the days. I don't know that it'll happen. Supporters on here who've never seen a flag despite being in their 40s make me wonder. But I have to keep the faith. Because, what else can we do? I couldn't bring myself to support another club. I have a soft spot for the Suns, admittedly, as I share a namesake with one of their players - but that isn't enough for me to turn to openly support them and reject the MFC. The only thing that would turn me to any sort of thing like that would be a removal of the MFC from the AFL. I see people on here talk about how bad the early 80s were, and then how good '87 was. Winning once more, making finals once more, is surely going to be all the sweeter for this suffering that we're going through right now. Maybe I'm naive. But this is my choice. And I will continue to follow the Melbourne Football Club, until the day either I or they die. Until such a time, every other team on game day is the opposition, every game is winnable (sure, a meteor could hit the stadium!) and I will scream my lungs out every time they have a home game at the 'G which I'm attending.

It's very easy for Neeld to constantly blame the unprofessional environment he inherited, but we are worse now than we've ever been. At some point Neeld has to take responsibility for what he has implemented, which thus far is uncompetitive, gutless, pissweak garbage.

We were [censored] under Bailey. We are [censored] under Neeld. One common denominator. The players. Hold the players accountable. They are just no good. The coaches can't polish a turd.

Neeld has struggled for 2 months. The players have struggled for 5 years. When will people realise that these players are condemning their second coach due to their own demons and the fact that they are not good enough. 186 wasn't an aberration. It's form, and it is the form of our players.

Look at our list and how we played - we played like Fuschias not Demons. the only people who care about this club and truly hurt in response to our plight is us - the endlessly paying supporters who keep turning up and paying... No players on our list can dare to say they bleed red and blue.

Bad season, but let's give credit where it is due. Mitch Clark and Nathan Jones have given 110% this year. They both looked tired tonight and who can blame them. If we had 22 blokes that tried as hard as they do we'd be a bloody honest team.

That was it for me. I've become unbearable - my girlfriend, friends and family can no longer be around me because this club constantly breaks my heart.

I saw Sylvia put more effort into shaking the hands of the opposition than he did playing football tonight.

[censored] Sylvia having a good old lark with Kennedy. [censored] off.

I'm nominating myself for worst call of the year for thinking Melbourne could win tonight.

There's a game on in Sydney today at 4.40pm and I thought I'd get in early because all week I've had this gut feeling that the Demons would record their first win of the season. I based that on the fact that the club's injury woes seem to be diminishing to reasonable levels whilst the Swans, without Goodes, Mumford and Rohan and with a few others out of form, are in a spot of bother. They're ripe for the picking even if the game is on their home patch and a place where Melbourne hasn't played for several years. I also believe that the tight confines might suit us a little better while we're coming to grips with the new game plan. Since team selection on Thursday, I've grown more confident about our winning prospects. The blokes we've picked and those we haven't dropped give the team a bit of flair and, dare I say, pace. I'm hoping that today we're going to be less one-paced and show a bit more out of the midfield and into attack than we have so far this year. A good start and accurate disposal around the ground and in front of goals will help. But what really got me going was the realisation that today, for the first time, we will have all of the players displayed on the 2012 Demonland banner (above) in our starting 22. Jimmy won't be there but I'm sure his spirit will be hovering over the SCG to spur our blokes on to victory. And what a great tribute it is to the AFL Indigenous Round that we have Jamie Bennell, Aaron Davey and Liam Jurrah in the side? In what must be one of the toughest seasons in our rich history these blokes have really done it tough and this evening will be the perfect time for them to retake their rightful places within the team and the game they play. So those who might scoff at my confidence about today, it's more than just "the vibe" as Tiriel Mora would say in The Castle but rather, it's built on solid ground. I hope that in around 11 hours' time we'll be celebrating Mark Neeld's first win!

I don't know if that's directed at me, but I'm not saying he had a great game, lots of poor disposal, but 34 touches in a high pressure part of the ground is a decent effort, could have played better, but was far from our worst. Just think he gets crucified too much for a guy that only recently turned 21.

Brian Royal.

The bloke that needs to go is Brian Royal. Worst midfield coach in history

I think this is an accurate reflection of what has happened in the last 9 months. Taking into account what we know, in the period leading up to 186 there was a serious internal conflict between Bailey and Connolly/Schwab. Schwab had a clause in his contract in regards to whether or not he was to be extended, and the Leaders were asked their opinion and they gave it to McLardy. It's clear from the fall out that the Leader fell on the side of their Coach. The Leaders feelings were taken to the entire Board and the Friday before 186 Schwab was told he would be sacked. The day 186 happened Garry Lyon was on MMM calling the Bulldogs-Eagles game and made comments that from seeing the score he "would be making some calls about this", despite having not seeing the game. It's no secret that Lyon and Schwab go way back, and perhaps knowing that his mate was in trouble with his job he's intervened and pushed the axe towards the coach instead - and not without justification given the result in that game but also the lack of defensive capability in the team under Bailey's reign. The fall out after this is that Schwab and Connolly remain, knowing that the Leaders don't rate them, so when Neeld and Craig arrive, they'd be in the new blokes ears telling them how the Leadership is no good and has to change. As a result we have two 20 year olds burdened with the Captaincy when they should be just worried about developing as players. In the period Lyon spent as Football Director he said he personally interviewed all the staff - then not long after people like Flack and Prendegast were suddenly gone - I wonder if they had the same issues with Schwab and Connolly that the Leaders had? In terms of "accountability" I want to know what accountability Lyon has to all this? The reality is that we are four years into a rebuild with a team that won 8.5 games last year. We were in the mix with North Melbourne and Richmond over the last few years as being developing sides and despite North's last two weeks both teams are massively ahead of us. I understand that people will say blame the players, but the Coaching sets the tone and the system the team plays with. If you want examples, look at how Essendon's mentality changed from Knights' all attack (similar to Bailey) to how aggressively they defend 15 months later under Hird, or look at the difference Sanderson has made with Adelaide in just 8 months. Both teams have largely the same players too. There's no doubt there were issues with what was happening on-field last year. Bailey may not have been the long-term answer, but to strip everything back to square one three years into a rebuild is baffling.

You won't get a mutiny against a first year coach. I have to say, I picked us for 16th before the season and I still think we will finish 16th. Whether Neeld is the man for the job or not, Blind Freddy could see we didn't have a midfield, we lack leaders and we were always going to need to go backwards to go forwards. Neeld was going to get a job at any one of Adelaide, WB and Melbourne, and he chose us. I would say he is the least of our problems.

I refuse to take the players side in any argument. You can get beaten. It's going to happen. You can even get flogged by sides with much more talent. That happens too, but to give up EVERY [censored] time the going gets tough for the last god knows how many years... Now they are not even waiting for things to get tough. No more. Play like it's an honour to wear the jumper or [censored] off.

From the outside looking in, it would appear that Neeld has treated alot of players with little respect. Now they are returning the favour. The club is in crisis mode.

Just for that I hope you never ever play again Sylvia, you [censored]!

Sam Blease looks alright. I bet he wishes he could have gone up to GWS with Scully. We all criticised Scully for saying we didnt have the right culture, but the proof is in the pudding.

How can Paul Roos say "Jones was poor once again". Once again? Shouldn't be allowed to commentate Sydney games

From an outsider's point of view, it appears the senior players got away with murder under Bailey. Neeld has come along and told them some home truths and they don't like it. They are sulking big time...I'm talking about Moloney, Green, Davey and perhaps Jamar. They show no leadership and are truly unhelpful to their teamates. This has a snowball effect on the younger players. Hence the result we'll see today. What I'm trying to say is that the coach is not to blame...it's been coming for quite a while. I think the coaching department, in particular Neeld and Craig, will weed these guys out after giving them enough rope...anyway, just my opinion guys....(forgot to mention Sylvia as well)

Simple......we are not good enough. Just a team of plodders,second raters, and slow in body and mind. I think it's now time to draw a line in the sand and stop playing guys like Maloney,Sylvia,Davey etc for the rest of the season. Start playing the kids. Davis,tynan,Taggert, couch,etc. I'm so serious about this it's not funny. We need to shake this place to its core.

PLayers should be switched to incentive based pay, if they work hard tackle give effort all the way through the game the get their full wage, if they do it for 3/4, they get 3/4 their wage this week they get no pay so far

I think I am starting to hate this club.

Maxwell is a joke imo...... doesnt defende well at all, can general all the others in defence but no better, if not worse than Rivers. seriously

How does a side that won 8&1/2 games last year and could have won two more, thought they had a bad season last year, turn up and serve rubbish like this year...... The media keep blaming the playing group, but I'. Not so sure

This is probably the worst MFC team, I've seen in my whole life......... It's hard to see how the dee's will survive after this........ pains me to say this, but MFC are the next fitzroy.........we'll ether be merged or moved.......we're a lot closer this, than a premiership.......

I'll be one of the 5000. Will you?

Only in the Stkilda game have we shown any sort of intensity.

Morton. He went to clean his underwear after Jetta almost tackled him.

Rip up all contracts tonite and put em on performance based contracts

Stalin would have a good solution for this lot And it wouldn't cost much either

You mean this isn't it? But I've been watching ducks all day.....

Neeld should do a Blight

He poisoned all the players minds and done too much meddling where he doesn't belong. They won't play for the club while he remains. He has well and truly F%#£€¥ this club.

Misson knows what the Saints 1 and 3 km time trial were. Neeld knows what the Pies 1 and 3 km time trials were. Misson has clearly said we are not at that level. As for game plan Bailey played the flood well after it was obsolete and now Neeld has to teach the press and the spread as well as basic defensive ethos that we've missed since Northey. I think the 186 team was a tad worse myself.

Yep O'Keefe marking uncontested in goal square? Clearly thats Neelds fault right? Players wouldn't know they should cover players in their goal square would they. They need to be taught that. It really does sum up this rubbish about blaming the coach. The players cannot and do not do the basic defensive things that should be natural. Well done Bailey on the attack mentality you have built in.

We need a new midfield. Even sure stars like Trengove are now performing poorly. Until we change the personnel through the middle we will not win a game. This is so unbelievably frustrating to watch. I can't remember us being worse than this and it's killing me

Why do we have noone on the line shepherding goals through for set shots. You learn that in Aus-kick! Ahhhhhhhhhhhh!

Spot on Stuie LIke many on here I have followed this team through all the hard years of the 70's & early 80's THIS IS THE WORST TEAM I HAVE EVER SEEN. We would struggle to beat Noble Park, Balwyn Tigers or Vermont in the EFL.

Well I'm officially done with this season Wiser, cooler heads will come here and tell us it's all part of the process and to that I say "[censored] off". I've had enough of watching this pathetic limp list of heartless players get humiliated each week. Mark Neeld, you have made us worse, and that seemed unfathomable after we recorded a 186 point loss last year.

Sack moloney. He brings nothing to the club nor would he to any club. His manager is dreaming

A rabble without a cause

Well I'm not bothering we're coming close to Fitzroy 96 levels of bad here.

Draft picks will never fix this

This game is over. I've NEVER seen a worse VFL/AFL team. Ever. We won't win a game this year, including GWS at the G.

Round 8 in their first year and you want to dump them. You see the boys play 2 hours a week and you are going to base leadership qualities on that 2 hours. What about the rest of the time the boys are in recovery, training and reviewing the game week in week out. There are around 286 hours of unknown where the captains are leading we just don't see it. I reckon that Neeld and the other coaches see the attitude and preparation the 2 boys put in on the track as elite and they lead by example with their professionalism and poise. Anyone can lead for 2 hours a week its the other 286 hours that you need to be prepared to do as well. A point of interest did you know that the number one thing people look for in leaders is Honesty.