Leaderboard

I don't understand that argument. We also have pi$$ed away money in recent years, so on that argument we don't deserve financial help. What do we 'deserve'? Deserve is not the right word. If the AFL wants us to not go down the gurgler and be competitive then they should help us in whichever ways achieve that goal most efficiently. If that involves a PP, so be it. To those Demon supporters who say 'we don't deserve it', I say get a hairshirt and do some old fashioned self-whipping if it makes you feel more pure. :>) To other people who say it, I'd just repeat what I said above.

I was impressed by Craig asking a journalist what his name was. When the journo replied that his name wasn't important, Craig responded that it was important to him. I thought it showed respect, something that's lacking these days, and not just around the football club.

Take it from a South Australian, Neil Craig is a class act. And the coincidences regarding Neil Craig & the MFC abound. The game that probably "put the writing on the wall" for Neil Craig at the Crows was a 96-point defeat at the MCG against Melbourne in 2011. Neil Craig played 319 games of SANFL football (in an era when SANFL was arguably nearly as strong as VFL). He played 11 State of Origins (including state captain in 1984). I will list some of the players in the 1984 state side to give Demonlanders an idea of Craig's standing that he could be named captain of such players & to justify my statement about the SANFL competition in the 1980s: Michael Aish, Stephen Kernahan, Greg Phillips, Mark Williams, Garry McIntosh, and John Platten. Most of Craig's SANFL games were for Norwood (for two premierships) & Sturt. He also coached Norwood from 1991-95. Norwood wears red-&-blue. Norwood & Sturt's club songs are "The Grand Old Flag". I can add a personal note about Neil Craig. I understand that the Crows "19th man" slogan was Neil Craig's idea. As part of that, he asked the Melbourne office of the Crows in 2007 to invite the oldest Melbourne-based Adelaide Crows member to a game as the guest of the AFC. My family is very strange! I am an Adelaide-based MFC supporter & my Dad was a Melbourne-based AFC supporter. Anyway, my father, who was 89yo then, "won" the prize. I took him to the Melbourne-Adelaide game at the MCG in 2007 (which Melbourne won by 17 points) as guests of the AFC. It was the last outing that my father & I enjoyed together, and I thank Neil Craig for that experience. I provide these facts & reminisces about Neil Craig so Demonlanders can appreciate the football experience that Craig brings. And when he talks about "culture" at a football club, he knows & "is" exactly what the MFC needs. We are in good hands & I truly hope that he remains at MFC in some capacity in 2014.

Thoughts? We cannot afford to to let this talent slip. Is generally an immaculate shot for goal. Is getting better by the week since his round 3 omission Had a solid night v Saints Was a dangerous target at times. Showed some hunger for the contest, a few pressure at acts Has earned 3 brownlow votes v essendon as loose defender. Jack Watts is Melbourne. Jack watts is class. Jack Watts will be the central figure in our revival next year and beyond

Essentially, if you don't think the MFC should get any draft assistance - you don't believe anyone should get any draft assistance ever again.

Craig spoke beautifully. Totally disagree, RM. Neeld never so categorically and matter-of-factly demanded we need to lift our performance as Craig did today. Neeld was still banging on about the importance of contested possessions, yet we were suffering possession differentials of staggering proportions against us. Not once did Neeld emphasise the importance of team improvement, over individual improvement in such a way. Tellingly, he also never spoke of protecting the players, in fact, when he first addressed the players in 2011, all that went out the window. I think the most telling moment in that press conference was Jack Watts' ability to crack a joke at the end. He would never have done that with Neeld sitting next to him, yet Jack played one of his best games for Melbourne today. You can tell just from that press conference that Craig has the respect of the players. Craig carries himself in an intelligent and insightful manner. Neeld always came across as arrogant, emotionally retarded and stubborn. Light years, RM. Light years. Craig was not happy and demanded the players raise the bar after a six goal defeat. He said so in a respectful and constructive manner. In comparison, Neeld was happy with a five goal defeat to Brisbane and could only point to specific players, rather than the team to illustrate improved output. It's laughable, farcical to suggest Neeld's been saying the same things for the last few months. Neeld's been saying gems like "it'll take five years", having changed his tune from "things will turn around quicker than people think" prior to season 2013. Importantly, Craig also pointed out that it was his responsibility to create an environment at the MFC that would entice players to re-sign and re-committ to the club.

lol i was just praising him in another thread as you wrote this did a number of jaw-droppingly good things tonight, as he has done the last few, is also representing the club well at press conferences, love this guy

Rubbish call on Dawes. He was either unfit or unwell, from varying reports, yesterday. His first half against Collingwood, pre-injury, was outstanding, and he was one of our best against Hawthorn the week before. He's one of our best players, and when he has a full forward line (i.e. Dawes, Clark, Hogan, Watts) he'll be even better.

I'll have a crack too........MFC will lose next week............Casey will win..........Jesse Hogan will miss a goal and his set shot kicking will be called into question. Scorpions.....and dees

Dunn also points. Pointing means nothing. The difference is elsewhere. Dawes leads by example on the field, which Dunn doesn't do. He also leads by example off the field, with maturity, sensibility, and measuredness, which Moloney didn't do. When you factor that in, you see Dawes' 'pointing' as being indicative of a true leader. Moloney 'led' when he felt like it (i.e. when Bailey was letting him do what he wanted, as opposed to when Neeld was trying to implement new ideas/structures for our stoppage work). Dunn is just an annoying [censored].

I'd reply to this thread but then i'd probably receive ANOTHER private message from ENYAW having a go at me in the special way that only ENYAW can. It's an interesting read, i have actually considered posting it on here as we all bloody well could use a good laugh!

What the hell did I just read?

Watts will stay and he will be a very good player for us, we are headed in the right direction and given another 40 odd games he will be too. Two years on from now, we will see just how good he is.

Neeld said it will take three to five years to be competitive. That is competitive, Bing. He said nothing of making finals or even winning them. With regards to the quotes, Neil Craig is a respectful guy. He has been sure to acknowledge his predecessor and his contribution to the footy club. He has been mindful of this at each press conference he's done. Mark Neeld was the exact opposite on Dean Bailey's tenure and failed to do anything but criticise his predecessor's era. Arrogance and disrespect all over the place. Failing to recognise any development or achievement from the previous regime. Craig isn't as stupid. I'm not a Bailey apologist, but he and Neeld have shown themselves to be absolutely inept, though the latter probably more so. Bailey didn't have the same public arrogance that Neeld had though, which you could argue was his first mistake. Let's for the moment take Craig's comments RE: Neeld on face value though. The training and preparation may have been better than the Bailey years, but those years were never going to be particularly difficult to outdo. In fact, Craig's comments are ultimately vague. He says nothing specific of Neeld's ability to coach or instil confidence amongst the playing group. If you fail to differentiate the nuances between the way Craig handles questions of development, expectations, gameday output etc in comparison to his predecessor, then I urge you to give Craig's another watch. He is very careful to demand more of his players, but in one, demonstrate a willingness to nurture and support them during this. The manner in which he expresses these feelings is a world away from Neeld's approach in the same arena.

Maybe I'm delusional but I thought that was a lot less painful to watch than usual. I know St Kilda are crap, but at least we managed to stay in possession of the footy for more than 2% of the game. Yes we lack run, yes we are still poor defensively and yes some of our players should never kick a footy. But at least nobody packed up and left when they kicked a few goals in a row. We fought every single quarter, which is a good start. Take out passengers and hopeless players like Byrnes, Pederson, Nicholson and so forth, and get Jones some help, and the turnaround will be quick. Not to mention a seriously good coach. Tommy Mac destroyed that sook Reiwoldt, and Garland who continues to kill it like a boss. But the biggest positive for me today was Watts. He was angry, he was animated, he worked hard and he showed more today than he has in a long time. I walked away today not wanting to slit my wrists. I'm calling that a win.

I don't know what I'll do but seriously. Spencer should be suspended. Ever since the Daniel Bell incident we've said front on contact is dangerous and can results in concussions and the great worry of broken necks. Big Jake the giraffe didn't know what planet he was on and clearly came through with too much speed although he was barely moving at time of contact. The slide rule being a contributor in this as well. Now McEvoy contributed by fumbling the ball and [censored] himself and ducking into it instead of turning sideways and avoiding contact but all that is irrelevant. So I'm thinking it will be assessed as negligent, high contact, high impact due to McEvoy getting subbed (which I believe didn't hurt the saints as he was getting a bath anyway and they were too tall up forward but that's for another day). The way the points end up he'll end up getting 2-3 or more at minimum but we live with that because (apparently unless you are Hodge) that AFL is trying to protect the head. But ... Simpkin's punch has got to be the closest thing to a king hit since Barry Hall. If this doesn't get serious airplay then the AFL should rename itself the Friday night/big club league because the rest of the comp doesn't matter. But Dawes has copped one flush on the chin behind play. He was struggling anyway but it certainly wouldn't have helped his day. It will probably be assessed intentional (or reckless), high contact and medium impact. So if the tribunals funny point system has awkward bump with little malice ranked higher than a fair dinkum off the ball smack across the chops then I'll be damned.

I'd like James Aish and Luke Dunstan plz. K thx bye

Am I the only person who thinks adding white to red and blue causes more confusion than it solves. Is there anyone else who thinks we need a third jumper, either a red one or the old 70s/80s jumper as a clash strip. Would have worked much better yesterday

Lol at supporters who don't want us to get a priority pick. I want all/any advantages we can get.

As I get older I realise theres a lot I dont understand ( a lot I do , just thought Id get in first ) but theres much that happens and in reality you just have to think, well , how about that. So if the AFL in its magnificent wisdom ( or panic of our demise and associated knock-ons ) thinks its a good idea to provide truckloads of folding stuff and to add to that byfurbishing a PP who am I to argue. Not that what I would say would matter. In reality just one word suffices : THANKYOU

There needs to be a message pinned at the top of every whiny article about Melbourne getting a supposed free ride that says "You cannot be too crap to receive a priority pick".

I find it hard to argue with too, because it is so illogical that I can't get my head around how to reason through it.

Ok, that is just bizarre...

Jake Spencer looks like Napolean Dynamite.

AFL are a joke if Spencer gets suspended, he was going to tackle, that spud McEvoy fumbled it and stuck his head down, Spencer pulled up as best he could, contact was inevitable and caused by McEvoy fumbling. Free kick, nothing more.

And gets dropped.

stay tuned for my next prediction.

Just watched some of the replay My favorite moment of the game was 14:10 left in the 3rd theres a loose ball at centre half forward and Jimmy T charges in and puts his head over the ball with no fear, takes clean possession and is rewarded with the free kick for high contact Kicks it to Watts who gets a free then goals. This moment told me that Jimmy T is going to be a player and that he is far from just an outside receiver some on here perceive him as.

I was yelling very loudly at my Radio yesterday whilst at work. Does that count?

Of all the things that MFC can be criticized for, fans that are still going to games are not one of them. Melbourne fans, per head, make as much noise if not more than other teams. It's been shown numerous times over this terrible period. An inept start is hardly going to gee up the vocal chords of supporters. Not to mention that there'd barely have been 10,000 Dees fans in attendance yesterday. We make noise, there just aren't that many of us.

The key is that Craig doesn't have to prove anything to anyone - he has been a good AFL coach. He has proven that. The players don't need to wonder whether he can be a good coach - and what he says comes from a place of personal knowledge and experience.

Our best "other" jumpers were based on Red. Tending towards ; stuff it, just play in our normal jumpets. It worked for years...even in the mud. Yes Martha , they once got dirty

The white clash jumper makes the clash with St Kilda's normal jumper worse. Really would like a second away/clash jumper. Keep the white one I don't mind it, good for kids to get autographs as well. but add an all red one or the 80's Royal blue for when the white one won't work. Much like the EPL home away and clash kits.

unless youre essendon apparently

I was very surprised by the lack of Craig love on demo land leading up to this week. He is a class act, a bloody respected bloke and really is someone who sees the best in everyone and everything. I haven't seen yesterday's press conference, but I've met him numerous times over the years. Paul roos would obviously be a fantastic get for the club, but do not discount Craig. He builds a mutual respect with players and will implore them to get better individually and as a team in a very similar manner to what roos does. You can say what you like about culture, but that has to be built on mutual respect. Neeld didn't, he went the wrong way about it. Craig won't. He has to be a part of the future in any capacity.

He's fed up, and he is doing something about it. Leader.

I was previously sucked-in by Schwab's public facade ......... how wrong I was! He has set us back a lot of years and a lot of dollars. Shameful stuff, and I was so naive.

How does it tie in with the rest of the salaries, future salaries and so on? You can't really work out what is reasonable to pay one player when you don't know what the rest of the players are getting.

He was discussed on SEN in their "Not So Obvious AA Team." Suggested by a caller and got some serious backing. Sadly I can't see the actual AA selectors agreeing. We're just not trendy enough.

He didn't. Neeld came out breathing fire in 2012 and then claimed it was a 5 year plan and that 90 point wallopings were part of the plan.

I find it funny that he's come out and said exactly the same things that Neeld has been saying for the last few months, and suddenly people are saying it's no BS, honest and to the point. I also liked Watts saying he wants to be around to see things improve having spent five years here. A good sign.

I've only been able to watch some of the highlights and the most encouraging passage I am saw was the first blease goal..and it wasn't because of the goal, it was the fantastic bump watts applied on the st kinda player after giving the ball off to blease. It was exactly what we need from him.

It's great. Honesty is what will save this club. The Delusions have been pulled back. Keep Craig at the club next year. He is an assett we need.

I must have had too many at the ground, because when I logged on here I expected to see a wave of appreciation for Watts as a key forward. He only kicked 2, but it could have easily been 5. Put big mitch up there with him and a bit of extra performance from the midfield and JW is a complete weapon

I thought you were generous with Byrnes and Pedersen.

Continues to defy logic wearing the clash jumper against St.Kilda. It is an even greater clash than if we wore our traditional jumper.

If only we could go back to 2008 when Jim gave McNamee the flick, and decided to go with Stuart Fox over the bespectacled one.

Does anyone else think Howe has appeared a bit deflated the past couple of games? It's not in anyway surprising however I gave some thought to it during today's game. While I'm on the subject of players have I mentioned Garland is a gun and is hugely underrated??

To simplify what I said I've played many games of footy and whenever I went out there I did knowing full well I could get on the end of a bump like McEvoy got from Spencer. It's part of the game that those collisions will happen. I certainly never expected to be on the end of a punch like Dawes was unless it was in the middle of a good old all in brawl when you'd be looking for it. http://www.afl.com.au/video/2013-06-22/simpkin-decks-dawes