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I don't pretend to speak on Liam's behalf, but as his close friend I wanted to thank the many Dees supporters who took Liam into their hearts and supported him on his journey from Yuendumu to the MCG. I understand why there are those who feel angry, bitter, betrayed and more than anything frustrated and disappointed at HIS DECISION to depart from the club. This decision was not made lightly, but was coming for quite some time, especially after he moved to Adelaide some weeks back. No-one on Demonland, nor indeed anyone except those personally close to Liam have any idea of the issues he has had to face this past year. Contrary to the perception shared by many, these personal issues are not the result of him being Aboriginal or from a remote community. They are complex, family problems which are his private business. However, he felt he could only deal with these issues by being amongst his family, many of which now live in Adelaide. I know it's hard to believe sometimes, but there are some things in life more important than football. So rest assured, his decision to leave the Dees should not be read as an indictment on the club, or due to their mishandling of him. The club has been terrifically supportive and patient with Liam, and he and his family (and me) will always feel very appreciative of their efforts. I hope he finds peace of mind and happiness being surrounded by his own mob in Adelaide. Maybe, he will also get another opportunity to play for an AFL club over there, but frankly, this is a secondary consideration just at the minute. Thanks again to all who have supported Liam.

The pre-match bugler?

I think it was Rudeboy who said at the time Liam went to Adelaide to be with his family that there were more important things in Liam's life than football and I think we should all respect this and the fact that he couldn't cope with his situation and remain in Melbourne. The logical conclusion to all that is that the football club was left with no option but to thank him for his past services and for both to move on. It's the end of a journey that wasn't contemplated in Rudeboy's book and tragically, it's a reprise of many similar stories in the history of this country and in the history of Liam's people. I believe in Liam's innocence and that he will ultimately be acquitted but more importantly, I hope that his journey gets back on its track and that he can again become a light and an inspiration for young indigenous children. I think that the entire affair and the negativity the story created has also weighed heavily on the Melbourne Football Club in a year when many similar distractions have tested it to the limit. Someone said of Melbourne that we stand for survival and that resonates with me because my family survived far more difficult circumstances than most around here could ever imagine. They not only managed to survive but were able to bring about a regeneration and success in so many aspects of the many lives that form the family. Our football club is also in a way, faced with the challenge of regeneration after a traumatic period in its history. The parting of ways with Liam Jurrah and many others who we've supported and followed in the past is not a thing we should look upon with much more than a tinge of regret. We have a job to do and it's how we do that which will determine what we ultimately stand for. The indication from these partings is that our football people firmly believe they can go past survival and bring about our regeneration.

The ability to concentrate on your goal-kicking in front of a small, quiet crowd.

I am sickened by some of the comments on this site. I am a long-time, loyal Dees supporter and I'm very disappointed by the way things have panned out. Liam was my favourite player and one of the most gifted I have seen. I, like many followed his story with interest. I was desperate to see him back in the red and blue on a consistent basis. He has pressures on him that we don't understand. The invective on this site towards him, and then amazingly, towards Davey, is very disturbing and makes me wonder what sort of people post here.

The problem with the 'Neeld is poison' meme is that Nathan Jones had a fantastic 2012. Instead of thinking 'why couldn't Neeld have been a bit easier to get on with?,' all I am thinking is 'why couldn't Beamer comply to what was expected?' Obviously Neeld has an uncomprimising attitude and as Hells Gates has pointed out - it didn't go over all that well. I really wanted this attitude from the time Daniher was given the arse - didn't get it with Bailey and all the players were satisfied with 'good enough.' I am glad that the attitude is here now, and I really am numb to the collateral damage. Our senior players weren't about to bring the club into line (they were part of the problem...) so Neeld has given the new LG a clean slate and a base to work off. Expectations are higher evidently and I just don't care about those who have issues with meeting those expectations.

I am not sure how deep this cull will go but I for one am sick and tired of treading water and going backwards but without taking any remedial action. I have heard for years "why dont we do this and why dont we do that" and basically we have gone with same ol' same ol'. Neeld on the other hand has walked in and said "no more".In my lifetime I have not seen a leadership group removed and half of them dropped during the season. I dont know if what Neeld is doing will bring success but previous safe coaches certainly didn't bring ultimate success. I believe we have set the bar way too low for too many years. I support Neeld not because I am 100% convinced he will be a good coach because I have been lured before by false dawns. I support Neeld because I believe he recognises that this [censored] attitude we have had for too many years has got us nowhere and he is prepared to take hard steps to try and correct it. More power to him !

I really need more information and time to digest it before I form a firm view on this latest episode in the LJ saga, but right now my feelings could be summarised as follows: In relation to LJ: disappointed, and maybe slightly cheated; and In relation to the way some Demonlanders have sounded-off towards LJ, our Club, some of our players and our coach: totally disgusted.

Especially Nathan Jones.

To be honest the last two days have restored my confidence, no more tail wagging the dog. The new culture which begun with new leadership is now continuing. Neeld was fair when he came in last season and did not cull players without giving them chances now if you aren't prepared to reach certain standards your out

So Neeld had to gain the respect of a group of players who somehow managed to lose a game of football by 186 points last year?? Really? Neeld took two dysfunctional and under achieving football clubs in Ocean Grove and the Western Jets U18's and turned them into successful clubs. In the case of Ocean Grove, they won 4 flags in a row. In the case of the Western Jets, they're a development program that's now producing top 10 draft picks and AFL quality juniors thanks in large part to the overhaul he made. As far as i'm concerned, I could care less if he hasn't been well received by some players, because our on-field performances in the last 6 years have not been well received by myself and most other Melbourne supporters. I'm willing to give Neeld the benefit of the doubt from all the things we know about him, and from the dysfunctional situation he was put into. He's undertaking a massive task, and if some players can't cope because their noses are out of joint, then they can find another coach who will be their mate, or failing that, perhaps get a real job.

What a sad ending. I'm not sorry to see him go, because no matter how [censored] or unhappy he was, that is no excuse to play like he did this year and not put in for your teammates. It's a pissweak excuse. Jared Rivers and Brad Green got dropped out of the leadership group too, and neither spent this year sulking like a little girl and playing such selfish football. I am far from a Neeld fan, in fact, I am very very suspicious of his overall methods and his ability to succeed long term, but on this I justify his position. Moloney is a bully on the field, he is selfish, he plays on his own terms, and he is 29 next year. He won't be around to win a flag, and he won't help develop our other players to win one either. I wish him all the very best in the future and hold no hard feelings. While he wanted to be at the club, he did a good job on and off the field for the most part. But as soon as things didn't go according to his plan, he lost his sh*t and that sort of toxic behaviour helps nobody, especially his own form.

What a lot of self centred nonsense is being written on this thread. Any semblence of factual basis for criticising Liam or his "mentors" (why not be a man and say their names) is not even attempted because of course no one here actually knows the facts. Instead what we get is the bismirching of Liam, his mentors and our own club offficials. Just because the media got a whiff of the story and immediately published it and then Port stuck their hand up in the air does not mean Liam was not doing the right and decent thing by the club or vice versa. If anyone has a verifiable fact that shows otherwise they can present it and then state their opinion. Here are some facts. Liam is in a terrible situation that few of us can understand. If you have been to a remote community you can just begin to get an idea. Rudeboy (Bruce for those who have trouble using names) is a fine man who with his wife have treated Liam like a Son wanting only the best for him including providing encouragement for his career at Melbourne a team they have no affinity with. Rudeboy would be the first to admit he regrets some things that happened along the way but has had Liam's and our club's best interests at heart (not that he needed to). Liam was no certainty to be recontracted at the club given his situation. Our club could not pay his legal fees because the salary cap issue and so provided the best support it could and rightly and proudly continues to offer him personal support. I hope they continue to do so. Hardtack is absolutely right when he says: It's just a shame that a number of people on these forums cannot see beyond the MFC in this instance and instead turn to abusing him.

This was always going to end in tears. And to think of the resources poured into Jurrah; the FOOTBALL MANAGER FFS went to Alice Springs to hold his hand; endless leaves of absence; all paid for by the MFC. Hope he reads Stynes book some time, but doubt it. He owes big time. We are not a welfare agency. I hope like hell this cures many on this board and elsewhere of the cargo cult mentality, the quick/one fix. Jurrah had freakish athletic ability but little else. No intensity, no dedication, no professionalism, no ability to train at the required level. AND NO LOYALTY. Every player puts their family 1st, just ask Clarke. That doesn't mean you stuff everyone else that looks out for you, or puts in for you. Just BS. Good riddance.

he then went to Fitzroy. Brisbane didn't take him in the 11 players they got when the roys folded supposedly because of concerns of off field issues he then went to North who then traded him to Brisbane because of off field issues and Sheahan singles out MFC. He knew the history. What a disingenuous weasel

It sucks but doesn't at the same time.

I'm with Nasher on this one. To be honest i have a sense of relief about LJ going. Don't get me wrong, he is one of all time favorites. Reminds me in lots of ways to Allen Jackovich - brilliant, creative, entertaining - but destined to only give us a small dose of his magic. But, with his off field stuff, the least of which probably being the court case, he would have continued to take the clubs focus away from where we need to be. If we were travelling better perhaps we could absorb some of that distraction, but at the moment it could only make the clubs chances of getting it right even more difficult. Put simply we are not in the sort of shape to be able to deal wit the distraction. As for the way he has left, i understand people feeling a little aggrieved but really its just part of the whole package. He is got so much going on his life right now that his capacity to make well thought out, smart calls would be impaired. And besides in some ways he has done us a favor by quitting now - better than rumors of trades etc bubbling to the surface and being a further distraction. One thing i would say about the timing etc is that i reckon we would have got nothing trade wise from either Port or the Crows, so quitting later and holding out for a deal would have achieved little All power to the club saying they would continue to provide personal support, its a terrific example of a mature response that is in keeping with the unfathomable complexity of what is going on for LJ. He is lucky he has got Rudeboy in his lfe and i concur with other posters who bristle at any implication he has got his own agenda. Of course though says more about a poster making that inference not Rudeboy. I saw LJ turn it on and will always have those memories. I wish him all the best and if that means playing for the Crows or Port then good luck to him. However, unfortunately i don't think we will ever see hi play AFL again. I hoped to be proved wrong, but jeez he will be coming from a long way back. Port will hesitate because they, like Melbourne have enough to worry about at the moment and Adelaide have their forwards (even if they lose Tippet), he is unlikely ever to have the tank to play another role and if aunt broke don't fix it

Mate. I think many are getting the wrong idea about all this and are misdirecting their attetnion as to what it is that irritates some of us.With all due respect to Flanagan and all of the apoligists fort Liam what they are only too happy to either overlook or playdown is not the issue that 1) the lad has issues ( candidate for unstatement of the year 2012..lol ) or 2) that he wants to move closer to his family etc. or even 3) he now finds playing under Neeld all too demanding and so wants to move to a more "understanding" club its none of that Quite simply hes backhanded us. He could have achieved all he wanted in respect to the above by being honest with the club, respectful of our understanding and preparedness to assist him and seek a trade via the conventional and prescribed manner. He hasnt. He dogged us...Simple as We were supposed to accomodate his situation, but he couldnt ours !!! Thats what this is really about.

I think youre playing a very straight bat WJ...and being far too kind and generous with the lattitude you afford both this bloke and his over-seers. Despite anyway you want to wash this the decent thing, the honourable thing, the manly thing to do would have been to thank the club for everything ( including bucket loads of money, lets not forget this for one moment ) and suggest the way forward was to move closer to where he wanted to be and to do so in a way which provided the result he was looking for and gave acknowledgement and respect to the club that mentored him. He could have and should have allowed for a trade to happen. He hasnt. Thats p!ss poor in any mans language. Any platitudes or condolences from Rudeboy can to be quite frank go right back up his posterior. No person ought to be denied the opportunity to explore options or pursue their career as they choose, but just as we were suggested to observe his ways and culture theres also an etiquette to all of this and as such it was shat on.

Absolutely ridiculous that Aaron Davey is copping it over this. The Jurrah events couldn't be any more out of his control, and Kel Lawrence was clearly getting the flick at the end of the season and decided to head home early.

Keep 'em coming!

This is like the 12 days of Christmas, but with Melbourne players leaving. The 12 days of MFCNQRs.

Surely you're taking the [censored]. Petterd is leaving because Neeld played him in only 4 games. He's not part of Neeld's plans. Blindsided ? Yeah, by Neeld

It would be good hear this from Jurrah.

We either keep on the way we were, winning a few games and occasionally getting in to the finals with never a real chance of winning, or we turn the club on its head and start again. That's what we've done, turned it on its head. The players we get now will not be tainted with the old MFC curse and will have no connection with the lazy couldn't care attitude of the past players; personally I'm sick of hearing stories about players deciding how they play and if they did or didn't "turn up to play" on any particular day. The old regime are gone now and a new one will take its place, whether they are good enough only time will tell, but one thing, the coach will not tolerate any player that doesn't turn up to play and the coach will expect nothing but a 100% effort every week. We can't ask for more than that.

I don't know who you are, but I suspect Brent got 19 more Brownlow votes than you did last year. If you happen to be Dane Swan, then I apologise.

Aside from being a good player, Beamer was one of the only modern-era players I felt had the same love for the club and guernsey as we the supporters do.

For a man who cares so much about his family, it's a shame that Liam is a war with one half of it and has totally disrespected his adopted family (the MFC). He is supposed to be a leader of his community, but I don't think he's shown much leadership at all. I'm pretty disappointed in him.

Mike Sheehan jumped the shark as a journo the night he accepted without question Maclean's statement that he left the Dees because we had tanked.Did not ask Brock about the more lucrative and longer contract being offered by Carlton or the irony of his destination given his professed distaste for tanking.

Neeld is holding player meetings at 8.30am today and tomorrow to which every player is required to be at and sober. I guess that's his way of making sure Mad Monday is tempered this year. Great call Mark in my books.

Firstly, thanks for the years of service, Brent. Best of luck for the future. I'm in no position to comment on his standing within the club under Neeld and whether the two got along. To do so would be pure speculation on my part, so I'm not going there. However, the writing has been on the wall for Moloney and we should've seen it coming. Moloney's agent has been publicly shopping him all year long. Neeld's comments of a couple of days ago re: Moloney struggling to adapt to the demands of the game circa 2012 did not bode well for Moloney's future at the club. If he is struggling to adapt to the game as it is now played, I wonder about how many clubs will make a serious play for him and how successful he will be in the coming years. The game requires good disposal, versatility, strong defensive abilities and running capacity and he hasn't shown any of those traits this year. These things will be required at other clubs in order to get a game. Lastly, if Moloney and others leaving the club is the result of Neeld cracking the whip and demanding high standards across the board, then I've got no problems with it. All successful coaches would crack the whip, in their own way. Neeld has his method, other coaches have theirs. We'll see in time whether Neeld's way brings success to the club, but for now I'm just happy with what's happening and excited to see what the off-season brings us.

On the flipside, I have worked in a place where the senior management was crap and as soon as these were removed by the CEO and replaced with either up and coming staff or better senior managers things turned quickly. The turnaround in the rest of the staff was amazing. If we keep doing things the same way we will keep getting the same result.

and I hark back to what Neil Craig said at the beginning of the year- there will be players who will not be able to step up and this may not be a club for everyone and thats fine. We are not going to try to be. (or words to that effect) We have shown glimpses since 1964 but we have never reached any great heights. What we are seeing is an attempt to create a culture and a level of excellence that has been missing. Neeld may fail miserably but have we had more success by taking the safe approach?

There are some real clowns on this board at times. I/Most of us have been saying all year players like Moloney have no long term future at Melbourne and calls for Neeld and the footy department to move them on at season end. That os going to happen now some people are getting stuck into Neeld because they have done/doing so? If we want to be a top notch club we have got to start and make some tough decisions on players that dont fit the modern day footy mould. Moloney's modern game of bash and crash packs, no speed and just bang it long and hope for the best and no defensive pressure wont help us win games. Moloney will be lucky to get a regular game next year maybe might get more of a go at Port but even then i struggle to see lots of game time for him. I thank Moloney for his efforts over the last 8 years but its time to move on. We need mids that have big engines, fast can spread and can also pin point and hit targets by foot.

Brent, is that you?

The media don't have an agenda. They spend their time wandering about trying to pick up the scent of blood. When they smell it, it's all in, like sharks around a wounded fish. Until a stronger trail of blood shows up somewhere. They don't care which club it is. We've been tempting them with plenty of blood trails the last few seasons. They have no self restraint, so they pile in. Denham has a personal gripe against Schwab and is unprofessional enough to let it cloud his thinking.

That's a big 'apart from'... He's our best player. We recruited our best player. That says two things - we can recruit good players, and we don't have many good players...

Sad?? Its fantastic, obviously its a player issue like everyone has known for ages and now we are finally cutting the dead wood. Im wrapped the MFC have taken a hard approach because we are the softest football club in the land. Moloney stank it up big time this year and its great he is gone, now he wont be able to poison our young brigade.

On the contrary, GWS have done sensationally well by re-signing most of their good young players. They have quickly created a good vibe and club feel, so I wouldn't be hanging your hopes on poaching their good young talent. How about we draft properly and develop our own ?

Gee he is a 24 years old trying to do a job that has stumped much older and experienced people. I lost interest in him some weeks ago and seriously doubted we would see him again in the red and blue. However give the kid a break. He is fighting a battle that probably no one on here as every had to face. Surprise Surprise the MFC comes second. Please everyone a little humanity would not hurt. And remember football is only a game. What he is fighting is the destruction of his family

Another thing that needs to be cleared up is this idea that indigenous people somehow have a greater "love for family" than the rest of us. It's implied in virtually everything that's been written about Liam and his 'case'. Get it straight, we all love our families just as much as anyone else.

Occasional reader only, first time post, but I felt moved enough by this episode to want to say something. I don't know enough about Liam's personal situation to comment one way or the other, but I am seriously concerned that we are losing respect within the indigenous community, which may have serious ramifications (the main one being that they won't want to come and play for us) The criticism dished out to Davey here appals me; he's never been anything but a faithful servant of our club. Haven't read all of the posts, but has anybody mentioned the sacking of Ian Flack? People I know say he was a wonderful go-between between the indigenous players and the club. Social justice issues aside, there are so many great Aboriginal players running around at present, it would be a disaster for our future success if we were to lose them (and before somebody jumps down my throat, yeah, yeah, I know we gave a lot of support to Liam - I just don't know enough about what's going on in his head to be as angry with him as some here are - he's obviously having a bad time, and I do know enough about Aboriginal people to know that family is the most important thing to them) Cheers

I honestly cannot recall ever seeing a post on these forums that has stooped so low. Unbelievable what some people will say just to be vindictive without taking even a moment to reflect on Liam's situation!!

What the hell do you want them to say about us? Lie and be positive? We ARE pathetic. How else can you describe it after the last 6 years? It can be turned round with hard work and savvy recruiting, but you can't hide from the recent past.

The way some of you are dancing on Moloney's "grave" is appalling. Given us 8 years of service to the best of his limited abilities. Hasn't even actually left the club yet FFS! And I'm VERY surprised RR didn't call for Watts to be taken off too! Maybe replaced by NikNat... Actually, just take all the players off and replace them with who we should have drafted instead just to keep him happy in his misery.

I am of a similar opinion, give the a day or a week, but when they return from their break they should be in the same condition they left in, and ready for a grueling pre-seaon if you do that then do what you want on Monday ect

Not bad for an old bloke. Wonder what his son Tom thinks about it all

The greater tragedy is that you care enough about Nine News to open a new thread about them.

What a joke. Can't believe some people are saying thanks for the memories! He could of at least bought us dinner if he knew all along he was going to f**k us! We've been by his side through this whole ordeal, which may I mention was through the fault of no-one but himself, and he's turned around and thrown us under the bus. He had a few highlights but he's treated Melbourne quite frankly with complete disdain, and the supporters with even less. We've all been behind him and his way to pay us back is leave. I understand aboriginals are closer to families but we gave him his big break and I'm so so disappointed in him. Leave Liam and never come back, I don't want to hear about you again.

Just when you think you've been kicked enough times, something else comes along. This is just about the biggest kick in the guts I could ever imagine. Never thought I could feel so low about footy and this club, but there is just no hope left, no light at the end of the tunnel, just nothing. We pluck this guy out from nowhere, we support him, we set him up, and he gets into trouble and spits in our faces. I can't judge him, I simply can't, but FFS this just kills. Football just cannot get more painful.