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Thats crap, the MFC is a viable business with no debt, we attracted 20,000 to a game last week against GWS, if we play a decent Victorian side we always attract a decent crowd, there one top season off 42,000 members, if they can get it done on the field it would be sky the limits, but as we know thats a big IF, its not as bad as your doomsday posts make it out to be.

Anyone see ch10 sport tonight. neeld was asked some questions then someone asked him about Watts shaving off his beard. Neeld just shook his head in disbelief and wasnt happy with the question. "Fair dinkum, sometimes you feel like saying 'I don't really want to dignify that with an answer'," he said. "If we're going to sit around and talk about the fact that some players have beards and some don't, come on guys. "I'm happy to talk about the game, but for me as a senior coach, come on."

This club is like Game of Thrones. But not awesome.

If Stretch Junior follows this thread, which wouldn't be a big surprise, he'd be hurt by some of the comments about his father. His dad was a really good player for Melbourne, consistently good, and could give lessons to the current crop in running and kicking. So he ducked when he heard Dipper coming - surely a sign of superior intelligence - I'd rather see him duck and play on than wait and have no further input. A heavy collision for the lighter-framed players is potentially career ending. The AFL is waking up to this now, and the bumps Dipper was known for would see him in more trouble these days. Anyway, good luck to Junior, and whether he makes it or not, I hope the MFC does what they can for him. That would be a small way of thanking his dad for his efforts.

To play like Bellchambers, he needs to fall over at the slightest bit of contact.

Its not much different to the forwardline that kicked 12 in the last. Statistically you could say its our best ever

Perhaps Neeld hasn't actually changed, but media hero's and keyboard warriors who have been type casting the coach and assuming his message and game plan was just a copy of Malthouse circa 2010 were actually wrong in their assessment (much of which is not based on any real info). Just being a devils advocate...

Half way through the 5th book (Book 4) and never miss the show, so good. Is Tyrion the small forward many are looking for?

I find it remarkable that people who use this site to undermine people at the club and abuse other posters are in denial about the fact that there are those around who would undermine the club. Mind boggling.

Obfuscating, revisionist and as usual on this subject, another weak attempt to put words into my mouth TimD. You know very well that there are people who were undermining the club for some time. They surfaced over a number of matters including Mifsud/Davey and the tanking enquiry and if you looked closely at what I have revealed in the past, you'll know it's not invention. I certainly know it couldn't possibly be so and my understanding is that the board is aware of them as well. You also know that those elements aren't internal to the club at present and therefore a competent candidate should have no problems dealing with them, particularly if, as you apparently believe, they don't exist anyway. That being the case, you should be extremely excited about the club's future prospects.

Most people tire of condescending posters, clearly the penny hasn't dropped yet.

I now you're challenged in many ways Rhino and that you're used to browbeating posters here by putting words into their mouths but I previously put you above having a dismally poor moral compass. I've already told Bagdad that the only thing that's keeping me from actually naming names is that I'm keeping a confidence but you don't want to understand that. I have elsewhere revealed what I said I would about the tanking controversy and its connection with Caroline Wilson. Now bugger off and if you're really curious then why not ask Bagdad what he knew at the end of October about the extent of Wilson's knowledge and the extent of the AFL's knowledge and where he got his information from? As far as the faceless men are concerned, I did say "their day will come" but since I haven't named them where's the smear and innuendo? In any event, I stand by what I said. I suspect you might read their names in the media one day rather than get it from me but I will happily pass on their names when the right time comes.

If Frawley goes it will be a disaster for us. While I can understand the crud he has had to play through I dont want to lose him. As for Colin Sylvia I would not rush to have him resigned at this point. And a leader he most certainly isnt.

For anyone not a fan of the ridiculous AFL site. Clip's at 5:50.

Jack, I hope that I don't have to remind anyone that it has been YOU that has talked about the shadow conspiracy at the club - the one that is suppossedly undermining the club. That - your own understanding of the political state of the MFC - is an enormous disincentive for every applicant. Or does the conspiracy only exist when you want it to? I've been waiting for the evidence to come out and there has been none so far. You won't show your hand either. Every applicant also knows this board that flip-flops on decisions, cannot make coherent statements to the media and has presided over the worst on-field performances in decades while stating that they don;t know why any of that is happening. How could that possibly be regarded as a non-issue for applicants? Every applicant would go in knowing that they could be scape-goated and undermined. Exactly how do you frame that positively?

I must be a bit thick but i fail to see how an interim CEO who is only around for 6 months can do the regular job of a CEO in difficult times, find the time to understand how the club works, be ruthless and then disappear. I think you expect too much. No doubt he will form opinions and advise the board but I can't see he has the opportunity for reform given the circumstances of his limited tenure.

So that's the sum of your "proof" that we were fitter under Bailey than under Neeld? That we averaged higher last quarter scores? Its laughable, of course I dismiss it unless you're willing to consider other factors then it is irrelevant. I already outlined what some of those other factors are for you but you appear incapable of applying reason to this subject as it may contradict some of your pre-conceived beliefs. I don't necessarily believe Neeld is the right man for the job (though I would argue for giving him more time) but if he goes down it should at least be on his own merits and not due to false accusations backed by no evidence.

Terrible news for Rich and the Lions. Hate saying "great news" when someone gets injured, no matter how much it may help our cause. Just remember, we are one Nathan Jones injury away from shutting up shop.

We are now a huge show. No Hanley, no Rich, no Black. Bring in Jordie to shut down Rockliff and we are a MASSIVE chance.

and other than body shape, how about footy attributes? Hoping......again. We hear that so often - Sylvia, Watts, Tilbrook, Brommell, Grgic, Gysberts, Morton. etc etc - that I for one have become very sceptical when I hear it.Hope you are right, though.

All others aside a player match report is due. Due to the absolute belting Casey dished out to Essendon the player reports will be on the positive side because they were just far better than Essendons youth- a pleasant change. Fitzpatrick- very frustrating but in a good way. Takes a fantastic mark than kicks it out on the full, next contest drops a chest mark wheels around bags a snap shot goal. So much potential but has always had it. Played an excellent game but still too many problems for mine to play AFL. Hope he keeps coming on. Kent- Personally thought he was very quiet in the first half but worked hard in the second half. I incorrectly labelled him a mature age recruit because he is so body ready you just can't believe he's young. Kicked 1 and was effective going forward but when I chose to follow him individually sometimes his direct opponent did beat him running hard back. Hogan- I'm keeping this short because it can be. He is that good. I laughed at times because as the ball came in you just knew he'd out muscle him. Standing with a big StKilda fan and a current AFL recruiter he couldn't help but notice similarities between him and Plugger at a young age. Huge wraps. Kicking action is super unusual though. Taggert- Hadn't seen Rory play ever and I was really impressed. I had in my head that he was quite small physically but he reminds me both facially and physically of Oliver Wines. It was from a semi distance so I could be way off but ran hard both ways, kicked truly for 2 snags and had a seemingly good motor. Liked what I saw. Rodan- was too silky for VFL. Such a big unit and very smart. He did a beautiful r50 kick that hit Hogan on the [censored] and I immediately thought experience under pressure and AFL quality posssssion. That said, I want him in the VFL for another 1-2 to get back his confidence play 3 games of footy and come into the Dees at full pace not in out in out like at the moment. Couch and Magner, James particularly jst accumulated as usual. Magner falls to the ground far far too often. Needs to keep his feet. Couch was decent but not a stand out. Tynan and Clisby- firstly the defense as a whole were exceptional. As a core group they played brilliantly and the only player who got an inch was Daniher but at VFL he's just too good. Clisby was better of the two played on a tall whereas Tynan played on the VFL small forward and got a bit of it according to stats but to be honest I didn't see much of him. His brother Luke impressed me far more. McKenzie- another interesting one. McKenzie isn't the kind of player who should/would dominate VFL because his style is at the same at both levels. I notice he was given best on but he did butcher the ball on occasion but his in and under work was standard Jordie and very impressive. Seemed like he needed the run and I'm sure could come back into the frame next week. Nicholson- like Fitzpatrick he kills me. More so actually. Takes a great intercept mark, takes 1 bounce and turns it over. Every time. His drive is great but his disposal is atrocious. I think he can be a player of the future but he's not good enough to play MFC this year, leave him in the Scorps to develop his skills and I'm sure by 2014 he can push up and try and win a spot. Strauss- As stated earlier in the thread I disagree with the softness comment but irrespective of that, his game today was very good. He took Dell'olio and Jetta so the best of Essendons small forwards and truthfully absolutely killed them. Disposal was very good but he did butcher one badly in the HB line that was lucky to not be turned into a goal. His kicking style though is so good to look at, should spend some time teaching Nicholson how to kick and Nicholson can teach him how to run off his man and drive the ball forward. 2 good games in a row now though is a very good sign. Blease- decent. I'm not a fan of his, but he gave good drive forward regularly. He is too hungry for a goal though often and it's clear the forwards already know it. They got into him. Does have certain 'Mortonisms' about him though. Spencer- By far best on ground for the Scorps. When the game was on the line he was exceptional and his second quarter was the best I've ever seen by a ruckman at VFL level. His endeavor should be admired by all MFC players and whilst he did make the occasional mistake by foot the speed in which he chased his own error and generally made up for it was to be admired. Made Jamar's play look even worse. Hope he gets a game next week with Gawn because he showed what giving a s**t really is. Overall, very impressed with Casey and seemingly coached very well by the new guy? (Name escapes me). All who were there would attest the way they switched, moved the ball from defence to attack with speed and precision was something I wish Melbourne could do. It was so refreshing to see quick ball movement and I left with a big smile on my face for the first time in a while from watching the Red and Blue. (and white)

THE PUZZLE by the Whispering Jack The forecast for Brisbane on Sunday is for a fine and partly cloudy day with the temperature reaching a maximum of 27 degrees. That's not too hot for the visiting Demons who spent most of the summer months training and playing in much warmer and even more humid conditions. The training was designed to help the team overcome the usual hardships encountered when playing under difficult circumstances, to improve fitness and give players the means of improving their skills particularly under duress but, when the NAB Cup practice matches and the the season proper began, things simply didn't turn out that way. The first game against Port Adelaide saw the Demons overrun by a young team that played with greater purpose and desire on the hallowed turf of the MCG. The home ground advantage and the mild conditions of the day did nothing to prevent a humiliating loss by 79 points. Nor was there any respite in the following week when the margin was a whopping 148 point defeat at the hands of the Bombers. It took until the third game against West Coast before we witnessed even a remotely competitive opening half. The team was clapped off after trailing by 10 points at the main break before helplessly ceding 11 goals in the third quarter on the way to a 94 point defeat. Amid the despair, there was bewilderment. The puzzle was that the team had undergone a pre season regime far superior to anything it had done previously and it had been quarantined from the off ground controversies that had beset it over the past two years. How could they be so bad and how could the rot be stopped? The easy answer as it often is in these cases, was to blame the coach and the football department, to turn to past failures in recruiting and player development and point the finger higher to those who run the club. The first victim in Melbourne's case was the chief executive officer but we all knew that his departure wasn't going to turn things around on the field. My best guess at the cause of the malaise was a massive lack of confidence in a team undergoing the transition in style between the game that had come naturally to many of them to that which the coach is trying to instil; a task made more difficult by a dearth of runners, particularly in the midfield. If this was indeed the key, then the introduction of two players whose profile in the eyes of the outside world of the football is fairly low (Rohan Bail and Michael Evans) would start to make a small difference. The run they added against the Eagles in the early part of the game was evident and contributed to Melbourne's improvement, albeit for only half a game. It was the same last week against vastly inferior opposition when half a game was enough to win this time. There's still a lot of work to do to get that midfield and other areas up to speed against the bulk of AFL teams but significantly, the final quarter against the Giants saw a return of confidence in spades all over the ground and never mind the fact that it was against a gang of juveniles who had run themselves into the ground. The Demons are now coming off a 12 goal final term in which everything they did came off superbly. Even the much maligned midfield was functioning perfectly and despite having to play in the heat and humidity of Brisbane this week, they come up against a team suffering its own crisis in confidence and without three players who played significant roles in their midfield destruction in the latter half of 2012 - Black, Rich and Handley. Of course, Brisbane coach Michael Voss would be far more concerned with his team's decline in form across the board than with the loss through injury of a few players. And if that loss of form coincides with a return of confidence at Melbourne after Sunday's final quarter heroics then the Dees must be a chance to win this one. Particularly in view of the fact that Voss is bemoaning the fact that he he's puzzled as to why his team can't reproduce the form they're showing on the training track when it comes to playing under match conditions. Now where have I heard that before? THE GAME Brisbane v Melbourne at The Gabba - Sunday, 28 April 2013 at 3.15 pm. HEAD TO HEAD Overall Brisbane 17 wins Melbourne 21 wins Gabba Brisbane 12 wins Melbourne 7 wins Since 2000 Brisbane 9 wins Melbourne 8 wins The Coaches Voss 2 win Neeld 0 wins MEDIA TV Channel 7 TV Fox Footy (live at 3:00pm AEST) RADIO Triple M 3AW THE BETTING Brisbane $1.15 Melbourne $5.50 THE LAST TIME THEY MET Brisbane Lions 18.14.122 defeated Melbourne 8.13.61 in Round 14, 2012 at the Gabba Hit hard by injury (Clark, Jones, Jamar and Davey all out from the previous game), the Demons had no answer to the rampant Lions and their dominant midfield. They also were forced to recast the defence after Tom McDonald was injured early in the game and J Brown ended up having a birthday. Strangely enough, you can get better odds from the bookies this week than you could the last time they met. THE TEAMS BRISBANE LIONS Backs Jed Adcock Daniel Merrett Elliot Yeo Half backs Joel Patfull Justin Clarke Mitch Golby Centreline James Polkinghorne Brent Moloney Sam Mayes Half forwards Marco Paparone Jonathan Brown Rohan Bewick Forwards Josh Green Aaron Cornelius Dayne Zorko Followers Matthew Leuenberger Jack Redden Andrew Raines Interchange (from) Jack Crisp Sam Docherty Patrick Karnezis Ryan Lester Billy Longer Ashley McGrath Tom Rockliff In Justin Clarke Aaron Cornelius Jack Crisp Patrick Karnezis Ryan Lester Billy Longer James Polkinghorne Elliot Yeo Out Pearce Hanley (suspend) Ryan Harwood Stefan Martin (injured) Nial McKeever Daniel Rich (injured) MELBOURNE Backs Jack Watts James Frawley Dean Terlich Half backs Jack Grimes Tom McDonald Colin Garland Centreline Jack Trengove Colin Sylvia Sam Blease Half forwards Rohan Bail Cameron Pedersen Jeremy Howe Forwards David Rodan Max Gawn Shannon Byrnes Followers Mark Jamar Michael Evans Nathan Jones Interchange Aaron Davey Matt Jones Jordie McKenzie Luke Tapscott Emergencies Daniel Nicholson Jake Spencer James Strauss In Sam Blease Jordie McKenzie David Rodan Out Mitch Clark (foot) Neville Jetta (suspension) Jack Viney (rested) HYPOTHESIS by Whispering Jack I’m working on a hypothesis to explain what is necessary to achieve success in AFL football and, despite the lack of a substantive body of data to assist my research; I’m starting to be convinced that there is a correlation between being an accused drug cheat and winning games of football. You only need to look at the top of the ladder Bombers who, since early in February have lived under the pall of their own drug scandal involving peptides, out of premises injections and accusations about supplements taken by their coach and his previous involvement with shady characters. They’re unbeaten and now, on a weekly basis are handing out floggings to highly credentialed opponents like Collingwood who they tuned into mincemeat on Anzac Day. And the worse the news gets, the better they play. Essendon’s form is totally unexpected and, while several theories have arisen as to the cause of their substantial improvement over what they showed in the latter half of last year, the one that stands out for me is the drug furore. I consulted a leading researcher at a major university medical faculty who explained it all in a single word – “endorphins”. Endorphins are endogenous opioid peptides that function as neurotransmitters. They are produced by the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus in vertebrates during exercise, excitement, pain, consumption of spicy food, love and orgasm and they resemble the opiates in their abilities to produce analgesia and a feeling of well-being. Essentially, the Bombers and their fans are currently floating on air. They’re feeling good. Now, if you look at Melbourne and apply my working hypothesis, it’s impossible to escape one incontrovertible fact. Until a week ago when news of the Danks/Bates connection broke and the Demons suddenly stood accused of … well something to do with SMS messages and chemist’s prescriptions ... the team stunk. An average losing margin over three weeks of 107 points stood as testament to that but when the smoke settled and the boys ran out on to the MCG rattling loudly as if they were full to the brim of a wide range of pills, it was obvious that a different Melbourne was out there wearing the red and blue. By the final quarter, every player was loaded to the gills with endorphin-inspired ecstasy. All I can say is that twelve goals in a quarter after so many low scoring final halves didn’t come out of the blue. On Sunday, the Brisbane Lions won’t know what hit them. Melbourne by 224 points. [Readers should not that the above was written with tongue slightly in cheek] It's been done before but here it is again for those lucky enough to be travelling to the Gabba - 3 Things You Should Know For Your Great Gabba Getaway Press Release

I find it quite extraordinary that an 18 year old can lift his body weight from 69kgs to 87kgs in two pre seasons, more than 25% of his body weight. It seems that there are some clubs who have the happy knack of doing this, West Coast, Essendon, Collingwood, Hawthorn, Adelaide, Brisbane and Geelong spring to mind. Funny that most of them have won flags too.

My knife and fork are well and truly ready. They have 6 years of rust on them so it might be a bit of a sour meal. I want him to succeed, I really genuinely do. It just worries me that on one hand we have to constantly hear about accountability and work rate and on the other hear how the players are so far behind other clubs (with the insinuation that Bailey was a hack). Management is about 2 things - responsibility and performance. The performance is very ordinary as we all know and too often it's because our training wasn't right before. That doesn't sound responsible to me. Unfortunately he doesn't have time to mould the club into exactly what he wants. To do that is to ignore the business realities of the sport. To the original point of the thread he is learning, but we don't have time for too much more learning. If his track record remains after 40 odd games the industry will do what it's always done and cut him, and they'll do it because the performances aren't good enough and ultimately he is responsible for that.

That would be the worst forward line I've seen for a very long time if not ever.

Nothing has changed just because we smashed GWS in one quarter. Neeld knows this. We have to turn up on Sunday, otherwise it will have all been for nought.

As today's ANZAC Day game is showing... David Zaharakis is the man we want. Quick thinking, agile and in the right places when the ball is forward, much the same and certainly fit enough to run through the midfield. Adds a bit of the speed that we're missing as well. 23 years old, too. You'd have to think Zaharakis would be exactly the kind of player that the club is hunting. Contracted until end of 2014, unfortunately, so I guess he would be the final piece of the puzzle that gets our midfield up to first rate, along with Billy Stretch, of course!

I've just been watching the first half of the Anzac Day game and trying to compare it in my mind with last Sunday's game. You can sum up the difference in the intensity and the fact that the players in today's game are able maintain their skills at a higher level under greater degrees of intensity. I suppose that's obvious really but it's amazing that we did lift our intensity last week when GWS fell away and, in doing so, our skills improved. Notwithstanding, I suspect that we're a long, long way off the levels of Essendon and Collingwood (again self-evident because the Bombers beat us by 148 three weeks ago). However, with improved confidence, I think we can go a fair way to bridging the gap.

This furphy is getting to be yet another Demonland reality that has no basis in fact. Not directed at you per se, but what the players, coaches and staff have repeatedly said, is that we've been training and aiming to play the same way over the whole pre-season and into the season. Nothing has changed. Garland's comment above is in regards to Neeld (and the other FD staff) sheltering them from the external stresses, so that they could just concentrate on playing. It has nothing to do with a change in directives to the players or the game plan.

There is no way that being the CEO position at the Dees is considered "the poisoned chalice". Our onfield performance has been atrocious, but our off-field achievements over the past 3 years are substantial. Once we start winning, all the positives of membership base, Casey link, Darwin link, no debt, new sponsors etc... will click into place. Interim CEO Jackson does not have to reinvent the wheel or look too closely at personnel. His main job is to help detach us from the Red and Blueprint that was all words and no substance, and help us find a new CEO. It also looks likely that some major Board changes will occur during his 6 months and Jackson will be the main hinge around which all these changes move.

What a strange little statement. What more would you have them do? Be ten goals up at halftime against WC or kick 15 goals in the last against GWS?And to those questioning the validity of the whole 'fitness' thing, surely hearing it from the players' mouths might lend some weight to the issue? Unless they're just liars...

Be good if Brown was playing in Blacksville.

I can't believe the odds on this game. I know we've been ordinary to date, but the Lions at $1.15 to win. Bloody hell.

How about we win cause we play better brand of football. Thats what id like to see.

It all helps....Sorry for Daniel, but our club needs wins.

Does sound great but we need people in the middle to get the ball. We also need Frawley Watts and Garland wanting to play for the MFC.... We need all our listed players hungry for the contest....however we will potentially have the best forward combination in decades.

Not sure I agree with the last line. A confident and capable CEO, or, rather, a person who thinks he/she is, should prefer a role with massive upside rather than one where the only way is down. For example, how would you like to take on the job of CEO at Geelong if Brian Cook were to quit now? Sure, there are no apparent problems, but how does the replacement CEO stand to benefit from the possibility or even likelihood that things will go backwards, even just a little?

You = a bigot Strauss has come back from a shoulder reconstruction and a more recent broken leg- tell me how that is soft.

From what I can tell if Trengove has either intravenously or orally taken the AOD9604 synthetic peptide he will be in big trouble. IF he has used it in the form of a cream as licensed by Phosphagenics and sold as "BodyShaper" in such outlets like Myers, David Jones, Pulse Pharmacies, Priceline, Terry White Chemists, he has nothing to fear. My take on the text messages is that it's the later of the two.

Life just isn't as funny without it. Some of their stuff was pure gold.

There's this kid I hear knows his way around the goals. Something Kent... Not sure anyone would have heard of him though.

I think it’s imperative that our 100 gamers are “guided” into breeding with tall sporting women.

Le Cras... get a mid and crumbing forward all-in-one.

Neeld deserves until the end of the season to show his craft, we gave him 3yrs, the least the MFC can do is give him 2 seasons, if we sack him now they will struggle to find a decent candidate.

Mark Neeld has been the subject of a number of whispering campaigns that have found their way quickly to the media and later found to be untrue. I think his suggestion about taking this sort of thing to court was probably a timely warning not only to the journos who spread the scuttlebutt but to the bottom feeders who originate the stories. I suspect that in some cases the club knows who they are.

We'd still finish ninth...

i cant wait for Peter Jackson to come in and i hope he is as ruthless as possible in his review of all facets of the club

Stretch, Viney, Spalding, Johnson and Dean all came to the Dees around the same time and gave the club a badly needed boost after nearly twenty five years of nothing. He was a key player in that 87-91 period where we won a host of finals and should have won a premiership.