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My jumping the shark moment today was a 3rd quarter kick in. Dunn waving his arms like its some sort of set play. Kicks to himself, runs another 10m metres and proceeds to kick it straight over the head of every single one of our players straight down Jolly's throat. Nobody's on the same page. It's just rubbish and unwatchable

"we could do worse" - I think we need to adopt a different attitude if we are ever going to get out of this mess.

The last quarter and a half we ran completely out of steam. As a result our skills dropped off and our run dried up. Their midfield was too big and too fit and gradually gained total dominance. We also lacked a bail out kick once Dawes went off so we struggled to get the ball forward. I thought the effort was there, though.

OK so we get belted again however we will be elite at trianing and in meetings again this week

Just got back from "walk to the G". Good morning, took my daughter and she got her face painted, a flag and photos with Robbo and the mascots. She loved it, back home to drop her off and walking to the G. A good little gig by the club, my little girl loved it and she provided the highlight for me. She was next to a filth supporter and she saw some seagulls, mistaking them for magpies who have bombed us at the farm she let rip with "Shoo magpies, go away maggies". Fair to say this magpie supporter was taken aback at this beautiful little 3yo seemingly shouting this at her and gave me a good old look of disgust. I was very proud!

Probably not... But I'm sure he's slagged one off before which is close enough right?

Of course it's pathetic but there is no way I couldn't care - I'm way too emotionally invested and always will be, much the same as many on here I'd say. Not a healthy relationship to say the least.

He's one guy with talent that you need to get games into despite the errors.

Wish we had a few more players inept enough to get 23 disposals at 87% DE and take 8 marks.

Col Garland surely just hit the lead in the Bluey race.

Neeld remains the worst coach i have ever seen

Bye next week, that's got to be a positive.

Classic Mark Nerd: push out the door experience (+50 games) and then complain about the age and experience of the list the next year. Classic Mark Nerd: say during your speech at the commencement dinner not to listen to the media, because we're not as far away as people think and then state that it will be 5 years before we're competitive as the losses mount. Classic Mark Nerd: say after round 1 "we didn't see that coming" and weeks later when things have only got worse state "we're exactly where I thought we'd be and I told the Board we'd be when they appointed me". Classic Mark Nerd: walk into the club and tell the players "I don't want you to like me". So of course he gets no emotional buy in and now he's running around giving them cuddles because he realises how fragmented the group is. Classic Mark Nerd: alienate the senior players by demoting them from the leadership group and install two young captains that don't need the burden and haven't earned the right. What better way to fragment a group of people. This guy is one sick puppy. But smart enough to delude some on here.

The club, the coach, the list. Just pathetic and sad. Hope? Where! If anyone ever mentions QB is our GF again I will spew up!

So basically, on the whole, what we know is. We cant kick. There are some exceptions in Watts, Davey,Toumpas,maybe. The other 18 months I have mentioned this point many times on here and as a reason to forget about Jordie Mac, Magner,Joel Mac etc Turnovers ARE the BIGGEST way we get scored against. We cannot use bad kickers any more. Does everyone get that now? It's kinda why they call it FOOTball.

1. Turnovers 2. Lack of spread 3. Missed tackles 4. Hand passing to stationary teammates 5. Lack of fitness 6. Tom Gillies 7. Mark Neeld

G'day. As I said earlier, ill post my views. I haven't read stats or anyone else's posts, but here goes. This weekend I took the Missus down the coast, and I said to her that if we didn't produce a heart felt effort, with intent and desire, after the week (18months) of anti-neeld, then I will jump ship and support the "it's time to go mark neeld" thread. I watched the first quarter thinking we were the team in contention for top 8 and collingwood were bound for the draft. We chased, harrased and tackled in numbers. When we got the footy in space, we looked infinite more damaging and likely. What cost us was 2 posters, and blease missing close by- 1.5 instead of 4.2. You can not understand the importance of scoreboard pressure when we play a team above us, especially when 1-9. The second quarter started very similar, we were all over them but they grappled a goal or 2 against the play. Dawes missed the shot from 50 out and they made us pay directly after. The thing that cost us during the second term, was going forward and instead of kicking from the wing to CHF unopposed, we threw the ball around nf got ourselves in trouble. We then turned a uncontested possession going forward 70 from goal, into a fumbled, rushed kick 50 out that went straight to a 2 on 1 or worse, and watts/fitzy etc were sheperded out and a filth player took a mark and played on down the line unopposed, resulting in a pressure free disposal straight at a filth forward. I'm not sure if they kicked 7 or 8 for the quarter, but every one of those goals came direct from our inefficiency going forward. Again, you can not measure the way that those turnovers kill morale of our players going forward. The umpires definitely hurt us with some soft frees going the filths way, and failing to reciprocate our way, but that said, the inability of several forward passes destroy any team confidence more that anything. The 3rd started with Dawes subbed out, and with that, any attacking mindset we had. We had fitzy and watts across the forward half, but we looked more dangerous going forward with facey, rodan and blease. Again, team motel was offsides by our structure breaking down, but also the ease on which collingfilth penetrated our midfield on the counter. I would hate to see a "score from turnover" stat as I feel we gifted 6-10 goals from this alone. The last quarter, cloke got some junk, and we stopped, basically from sheer exhaustion and despair. Dunn had 5 disposals in about 3 minutes, all of which turned into collingwood scoring shots. The worst thing, is instead of putting his hand up and saying "sorry boys, poor kick" he waved his arms at our midfielders and blames them for it. It's frustrating as he is a good kick, but he doesn't look at where he is kicking whatsoever!!!!! And to blame guys In the centre is a cop out, probably further depleting morale. My summary of all this probably reeks of blame. But if you are on top and playing with confidence in a quarter, you MUST make the most of your shots on goal. First quarter we were a 5 goal better team, yet went in to break with scores level. The second quarter, those same traits came to play, but collingwood took their chances early, and went up 4 goals. After half time is all irrelevant, we were out played but most importantly, we were out structured through injuries and personnel. Positives- garland smashed cloke, and t-mac made lynch look 40. He is a poor kick Tom, but he is athletic, offensive and loves defending. Keep with him as he is a great option across half back and will be damaging when we a-learn to receive his handbills, or b- kicks off 3 steps. Rodan, davey, blease and Kent. I don't know their stats, but their pressure made collingwood fumble and panic early. Inferred pressure I think it's called, and they definitely put it on early. Watts- such a waste. Not his talent, but the way he leads early at the footy, and we kick it 28m to him, but 40m high. Ill admit, I'm not a huge watts fan, as I expected more, but we do him no favours by kicking the footy to him high and wide when he leads to good position. Classic example in the 2nd quarter on the hff, we stuffed around and instead of kicking direct, he got an under pressure bounce pass from 30m away. When he was on 2 opponents. We are doing his footy smarts no favours. He actually hit the body hard today, and I feel that we are a good team going forward with him as our 3rd or 4th option. He hit the post early and had another miss by a bees foreskin, he could've had 2 at 1/4 time. Matt jones, toumpas, Howe, Sylvia and Nate jones- these are our midfielders, add viney and grimes, as well as this years additions. These guys use the footy well and run to great position. The trouble is, our skills and our decision making prior to getting it in their hands!!!! If anyone saw Sylvia run to position ahead of fitzy today, but fitzy hit him with a hand pass 1m behind him, you will know why he isn't a top line player. He ran to the right spot, he got offensive and we just burnt him. That said, he put great pressure on and got to some dangerous spots. Nate jones deserved 5 frees minimum, but he got burnt by being the guy chasing the footy and going harder than all of the filth mids. He is a star, but also, a work horse who does not sulk or change his game on. By the scoreboard. Ill mention trengove, as I think he is playing well. But he is slightly burnt by his own limitations- pace, first option giving and disposal inside f60. But he is a player, and if we can get him a yard quicker, or get him out of the rotations and keep him kicking forward, he will come good. Pederson was ok, gives a few frees away, but depth player... Negatives- ruck- jamar was all over jolly, yet he mistimes his run, or palmed it straight to a filth jumper!!!! So frustrating. We need him to demand the ball around ground as we need the target with no Dawes Clark or marking midfielder without Howe lurking. Mckenzie, tries hard, but he leaves us a player down offensively. Turnovers and decision making are our biggest killer. We run to great spots, yet the player with the ball tries too much, or kicks to a 2-1 and spoils it, and our opposition runs forward while we are offensively positioned and it just kills us. You can't let teams get an uncontested possession in our back half when we are on the march, they score so easily. This isn't a coaching problem, this is a football problem- dont kick off one step, leaning backwards, don't handball 2m to your defensive side to a player shepherding- if you have the ball and under pressure- KICK THE BLOODY THING LONG, High and put the defender under pressure!!!!!!! We are on the right track. Add frawley, Clark, Dawes, grimes, viney and another midfielder and a small forward, as well as a good kicking medium defender, we are on the right track. The tv doesn't give the right indicators, we were the better team in first half, we came to play, we chased and pressured. But, we just showed inexperience and decision making errors.

I don't fight back, there is nothing to defend at the moment. I just can't wait until the day we are back on top and I will be unashamedly arrogant and condescending of all other teams and clubs.

i care, i wish i didn't but i do.

Incidentally, am I the only one who loved the 50m penalty Garland gave away? Just hurled Cloke face-first to the ground to emphasize his point to the rest of our defence. Beautiful.

Frawley also came out and said he has no plans to leave.

One positive from today is that at some stage those umpires will be dead and insects shall be crawling through their corporate brain cavities. I despise them ,the game ,Westpac ,Hungry Jacks and all the sheep that follow it . Thank you AFL for turning the game into wankfest for the suburban scum that now patronise it .

I don't know if Neeld can coach but I can tell you one thing, I would be bloody frustrated coaching this side. Our problem is nothing to do with our structures and everything to do with our players brain power. They make poor decisions and turn it over time after time after time. Neeld can't improve their IQ's some of them are just not up to scratch. The only way out is to continue to draft the best young talent and keep working with them until eventually we will at least have half a team with ok skills rather than 3 or 4.

Whoo hoooo. I might crack that Robbie Flower Special Edition Port I've been saving up for a special occasion!

Get PJ to ask the AFL for the rest of the year off

Garland

I've taken a sickie to stay home and watch this. Good chance I will actually be physically sick by full time.

I'm still hoping this guy can have a big break out game/season soon. 25 possies and 3 goals!!! wish it started today and then he signs a 3yr contract with us. shove it right up the media. Come on Wattsy!

If as reported that upon Peter Jacksons request Watson has had a chat to Watts about what he went through then it just shows how great a bloke Watson really is. Never heard a bad story about the bloke. And Jackson isn't mucking round either- great to see. And good on Jack too for seeking ways to improve himself.

Neeld was also frustrated at the more senior players not doing the right things. I remember a conversation I was having with a friend of mine who played cricket with Bailey. His words were thus - 'Bails is not worried about the youngsters, it's the established players he's [censored] off about.' Perhaps that residual still lingers.....

You can make your own mind up as to McLardy, most of us have, but I loved his comments today on Kennett: "My preference would be to give no more oxygen to Jeff's comments, but I want to make it very clear to everyone that the Melbourne Football Club has no interest in a man who once said 'my heart bleeds gold and brown',” McLardy said in a pre-game address before Melbourne's Queen's Birthday clash with Collingwood. "Nor are we interested in someone who has suggested the Melbourne Football Club should merge with another club or move to the Gold Coast. "Nor are we interested in someone whose judgement saw them call for premiership coach Alastair Clarkson's sacking after round one this year after the Geelong loss. Needless to say Hawthorn haven't lost a game since. "Jeff, there was a very good reason the Victorian people threw you out of office despite your record, and from your performance last week, it would seem you are the only one who still doesn't know what that reason was.”
 Absolute brilliance, and I agree 100%.

The worst coached side I have watched in 20 years. It is putrid to watch. Anyone who can find a positive spin on this are on another planet to me.

They had a crack in the first quarter, which is pretty much all you hope for these days, but as the game wore on their work rate dropped. Unless you're at the ground it's hard to notice, but Collingwood players continually worked harder and out-numbered Melbourne players at the contest. Lynden Dunn is a disgrace. And a serial piker. You'd never wear the jumper again if I was coach. Pedersen is also a complete piker. Watts - keep your feet in contests. As funny as it sounds, the difference between the two sides wasn't that great. Melbourne lack composure, make skill errors, and some poor decisions that cruel you. But it can change with a couple of guns in the middle, more experience, and a bit of belief.

lol so what if he backed Neeld what the hell else is he going to say?

Cant wait for 6 to 8 goal losses, thanks Coach , thanks for the progress , FMD what a a [censored] disgraceful progress, what happen to the hardest team to play against , [censored] off MN , next please.

they've been saying that for weeks now.

Positives: Kent, Fitzpatrick, Blease, Toumpas, Terlich, and Jones all showed plenty. Our youth look like they can develop into the core of a really good side given time and games. Nate Jones continues to fight against the odds. Sylvia and Davey are showing some of the best form we've seen from them in years, in Sylvia's case ever. Jamar got involved and beat Jolly both in the ruck and around the ground. Watts had a real dip although he lost enthusiasm as the game wore on. Still did some very good things and should have had two goals. Garland fought a great battle against Cloke. Always undersized, he nevertheless took it right up to the big guy and can be proud of the way he went about it. Negatives: Silly turnovers in the middle of the ground. Twice kicking across goal to a small target when Harry O was lurking. Consistently poor delivery to our forwards. Letting Tommy Mc Kick the ball. Getting sucked in to having two tacklers, allowing the opposition the extra man to run free on the overlap. Not looking for, or finding, the open man on the wing all game. Poor co-ordination between players leading to slapstick-style errors and turnovers.

Geeze you'd be brave giving him a "cook" after the way he has busted his guts this year.

Queens Birthday and our biggest stage for the 2013 season (although I'm discounting the fact that its still mathematically possible for us to make the finals if we win every remaining game and improve our percentage). And with us on the big stage, it gets really weird. The Ox gets death threats? Please, if the perpetrator of that little piece of nonsense is reading this, turn yourself in - you need help! On the field, I'm full of hope that the team will respond today. It used to be a non negotiable that Melbourne would come out and perform at its best against the old enemy. I suppose that's ancient history but it would be good if we had a dip and gave them a scare like GWS did v Geelong on Saturday. The changes to the team (apart from Frawley's outing by injury) give me some confidence.

Blease continued pathetic defensive efforts have kept blease from playing. Not neeld.

Oxley will probably play a blinder on debut. We do that for teams.

I've had a week to forget the last loss. I'm confident of a good performance. I feel the same every week. Things will start turning around today. Where is that "relax we've got this" thread? Go Dees!

An enjoyable read - and thought provoking. I don't know what's coming over the media with balanced articles these days. Whether or not Watts' selection as #1 draft pick or his initiation onto the big stage four years ago were justified is now a matter for history. I note Essendon gave Joe Daniher his debut in an important fixture in front of 80 thousand and the decision didn't raise as much concern. On the other hand, the drafting rules have changed now so that Watts would only have been eligible to be selected via something like the GWS mini draft (which is gone now). Jesse Hogan who is the same age now as when Watts made his debut can't play AFL till next year. Of course, during the tanking inquisition there were claims that Melbourne held Watts back to only three games because of its tanking policy. Go figure? I suppose Jack's time at the MFC could well be running out. He's still popular with my grandkids who wear his number on their backs but I suppose, like many others at the club, he and the club have 12 weeks to do something.

Why do the f**king media do this all the time!"i dont care if its a good article or not it is disgraceful that they keep trying to kick a kid while he is already down. Why not just let the kid play without any media scruitny for once! Where are the tom scully articles? What about Sam Day? He was pick 3 and he has done eff all! Jeez Matthew Kruezer seems to be a coasting alright, what has he done so far that screams gun number 1 draft pick? And for some of you supporters saying its a good article ffs tell us something we dont know about jack!?

If you can't be bothered reading all of it, don't comment.Peter Ryan is the afl.com rep embedded with the club - he's the Peter MN refers to in most of his pressers. He knows what he writes about. But you who obviously knows more than anyone else would be FAR better informed. FMD

Sad how few posts there have been in response to this article compared to the endless sack everybody calls in other threads. (This may be wrong as I've given up reading the other repetitive threads and maybe the article has been quoted there.)

Bailey. He may've had the team unfit and not up to AFL standard in that area, but atleast we were in Finals contention under him and we were flogging a few teams (freo and crows). His game plan may've been completely one sided and when it went bad it went really bad but atleast we were competetive for most of the time. The players played for him, they don't seem to do the same for Neeld.

Settle down gossip girl, it was Brad Green the former skipper.

PSD...doesn't want to stay at GWS so we can get him with the second pick

is this a serious question?