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Transcript from the snippet they showed: Sheahan: "When Mark Neeld got the chop, a) were you surprised and b) what was your other emotion, was it relief, sadness or what? Watts: "I guess with the pressure that was building up, it probably wasn't a huge surprise. I think Mark came in and did an amazing job with the boys, and I think he came in with his philosophy of going pretty hard with us, and I think that works for some people and probably doesn't for others.." S: "Did it work for Jack Watts?" W: "I think it worked in a certain way for me, I guess with my training and those standards and that kind of thing. Probably at an emotional level I found it a bit hard." S: "Were you pleased the change came?" W: "I wouldn't say I was pleased, but I think, we probably needed something different, that's what I'd say." S: "Is your relationship with Craigy different?" W: "I would say it's different, yeah. It's a different relationship. I guess with Craigy already being at the club, so when Neeldy came in, went pretty hard, Craigy was sort of that person for me to go and speak to and sort of help me through it." S: "He's more positive." W: "I don't know, would you say he's more positive? He's probably, for me personally, more personable. Different blokes would probably say they got along better with Neeldy cause they had that relationship with him, compared to Craigy who they probably thought was a crazy old man who was yelling orders from the sideline, but I sort of got to know him pretty well early."

Don't give a toss about 2013. Just hope Mitch gets back on the park and gives us 5-8 years of good footy.

Having now watched the game, Griffin's stats flatter him. His impact on the game was minimal. No influence in the first half, a lot of statistics added in our fourth quarter fade-out which wasn't all Nicholson's fault. Nicho's tagging job wasn't flawless, it wasn't even great. He made mistakes in positioning and lost touch at crucial stages. But his overall job in quelling Griffin's impact was felt, and IMO was a good reason why the Dogs were struggling so much for 3.5 quarters. Also don't agree with the notion that we're playing a Bailey-style game of all offence and no defence. I thought our pressing, zoning and pressuring was still pretty good. I also noted from watching the game that, for once in recent memory, our senior players stood up when required (fourth quarter). I noticed Dawes, Sylvia, Watts, Trengove, Garland and Frawley making some key plays and stepping up at key moments in the fourth. At the same time, it was our junior players tiring out late that started to cost us. The fact we'd played as a far better team prior to the fourth and thus had a lead was crucial to us winning, but so was the ability of our senior players to lead us to the end when the younger kids tired out. Gawn's first half was really good, but went too hard, too early and was out on his feet from three-quarter time. With Jamar and Spencer still out, he has to continue to ruck the whole game, but we're going to need to use Fitzpatrick as back up more than we did last week. We can't afford to have Gawn losing all his energy so early. Toumpas again showed improvement (his decision-making is fantastic, which isn't something we say about MFC players regularly), Watts was great, Howe looked dangerous as a forward, Fitzpatrick showed that his upside is enormous and he seems to be developing confidence by the week). Still problems with clearances, still skill errors, but it's clear that we're playing with more freedom and our players seem to be growing in confidence.

That's actually not quite right. If you go back and look at McKenzie under Bailey when his sole task wasn't tagging Jordie showed he did have offensive skills and played some very good games. He's a natural inside mid with very clean hands and his vision in close is very good. He also has very good stamina but hasn't been able to offer spread as he's been following the best mid from the opposition around for a couple of years. I'm a bit sick of saying it but judging players, particularly younger developing players in the past few years is meaningless. Neeld killed them. He shredded their confidence, demanded defence and asked them to play a game plan not suited to the one of the youngest lists in the competition. There is no doubt Jordie has stalled since Neeld came but prior to that many here had high opinions of him. Even in the last couple of weeks under a good coach we've seen significant improvement in players such as Trengove and Watts. I'm backing McKenzie to be one of those. McKenzie, like Trengove, is so team and coach oriented he will carry out the coaches instructions to the letter and it's why both have struggled to make impacts over the last couple of years. McKenzie is no world beater but I reckon you'll see a completely different player in the last half of this season. I reckon James Strauss will improve significantly as well, he strikes me as a player who needs a bit of support which is something Neil Craig will offer. You only need to see the player reviews to see how Strauss is improving with Casey since Neeld has left. One wonders where Taggert would be at another club. Don't underestimate what damage Neeld did to the psyche of our players. Grimes, Trengove, Watts, McKenzie, Taggert, Strauss, Blease, Spencer, Bail as well as experienced players such as Frawley were all impacted by the incompetence of Neeld. Now he is gone, along with others who were not up to the task, we will see what these players can produce given just half a chance.

Rather than get into a debate on socialism - let me draw the parallel to the EPL where the governing body and their process and structures are fairly unrestricted - there are only approx 6 clubs that can win the title with the balance trying to stave off bankruptcy and just stay in the premier league. Even up and coming teams outside the big 6 dont make bold statements about winning the trophy as they know it is unacheivable unless a gazillionaire comes in and buys the club and sinks trillions into it. Compare this to our league where there are levers that the AFL uses to try and level the playing field giving all clubs some hope of rising to the very top. I know which one I prefer.

vs See the difference? Jack Watts is great and all, but he was by no means ready-made.

[screaming at the heavens] Oh, Jebus!! He does not speak for us, Jebus! We throw ourselves at your mercy and hope to see him play a few games in 2014 injury free and extend his contract in due course! DT does not know of what he speaks! We pray that you will not take The Chosen one to Blacktown, or give him seemingly debilitating physicality issues, or continual problems with OP, or a rare impact injury to the Lisfranc in his foot. In the name of the Barassi, the Norm, and the Holy Jimmy. Amen.

Stuff this keep a lid on it bullsh*t I for one am over the moon we have finally recruited a player who can step up to his tag. He is a powerhouse and I saw him play against North Ballarat and he tore them a new one. Just keeps getting better. Another pre season more weights and used to being around the Melbourne boys will be so handy next year to make his transition smoother. We are onto a winner here and I swear people only say keep a lid on it because they have been hurt before with picks... Well safe to say 5 months of solid form is enough for me to say we got this pick right.

Byrnes won't play, because someone at the club has finally realised he can't. I hope.

Hi rjay. I'd do it because Howe doesn't look like he is developing much as a mid, doesn't play back well because his attention and manning up sucks and will be one of five marking forwards next year. He doesn't play the crumbling role at all and fades out of games completely. His speccies are good but I'd trade the odd speccy for a good mid without feeling much regret.

Because our list is THAT bad. Clark and Dawes for 12 and 20. Find their midfield equivalent and it would go a great distance to making us competitive.

I believe those so called rules are just guidelines are they not? Obviously Eddie is delusional enough to believe results of games may change by not having Rocket Eade do whatever it is he does but maybe Hardwick is more of a realist. Plus I heard Peter Jackson say he'd approach peoples current employers before the person they want to speak to anyway. Which is a smart way to operate. The way I see it happening is that we wont rush to form our panel or advisers and we may even focus on the GM of footy first. I think the ideal time for a coaching appointment is no later than after the second round of finals. So it's a month to trade week and plenty of time to organise a preseason schedule. Luckily that fits in with the time that Rich and Coll should be finished up by! Next Monday's on the couch will again be entertaining viewing if Healy hasn't recanted or Roos confirmed by then. Thank the lord for Mike Sheahan who has that art of being able to grill people without being obnoxious or stepping over the line. He uses very clever phrasing to get people to give up more than they want.

Option A - ND1: Priority Pick before the draft. Option B - ND11 and ND20: Mid-1st round and end of round picks. Option C - ND11 and ND20 Trade Tied: Mid-1st round and end of round picks, one or both must be traded out. AFL can ratify use of picks should suitable trade not appear. Option D - ND11 and 2-player State League Exception: Mid- 1st round pick and pre-draft selection of 2 players in any State league. If I was Jackson I would fight for each option until rebuffed and not accept anything below Option D. If I was the AFL I would leak Option A as a possibility and then give Option B.

I don't give a stuff about lids or hexes Hogan is the talent we've been missing for 40 years. His work ethic matches his ability, which is nothing to sneeze at. Not to mention that he has bucket loads of you know what. Also, it's worth noting that in 9* VFL games he's been named BOG 4 times and kicked 4 goals, or more, 5 times. He has the strongest presence on the field and is usually the youngest player. Be pleased you're about to live through his era. *He's played 10, but in round 4 he left the ground with an injured knee early in the first quarter and didn't return.

always better looking broads around around at our games too

Watch the game from last week again and see how many kicks he butchered. HARDLY ANY! In fact some of his kicks were a high degree of difficulty and pinpoint perfect. Also take into consideration that a tagger is constantly chasing, then running off his player. This constant physical exertion makes it a lot harder to kick with composure. Yes, his disposal has been woeful in the past but he has obviously worked hard on this area of his game and it is starting to show. 17 disposals at 82.4% efficiency - 6 marks - 4 clearances - 3 rebound 50's - 3 inside 50's - 11 tackles - 112 Dream Team points. All while chasing one of the best mids currently in the game. FCS start giving our young players a chance to develop.

What do we need? A senior coach who knows how to win, and knows what success looks like. But above all, we need someone with EXPERIENCE!!! Now let's look at the candidates: Paul Roos: Out of the game for 3(?) years now, lives in Sydney, and has his whole life set-up there. Reknowned for the culture he set-up at Sydney, which is still seeing dividends to this day. I don't want a coach who hasn't stayed in the coaching arena since his retirement. He's an alluring prospect, but I don't know if he'll live up to the hype. Rodney Eade: Stayed in the game, which is a positive. But he has had two opportunities at two different clubs. Will he really be able to make it at his THIRD club? Highly unlikely, I would have thought. Mark Williams: Also still coaching, and apparently has the fire to coach again. But I'm worried that the way Port played in the final few years of his Port Adelaide stint is way too much like the way we're playing now. I don't think he can bring what we don't have. To me, he's a definite no. Neil Craig: This is a guy who has all of what we need in a coach, but also already knows their strengths and weaknesses. He knows what success looks like, he knows what professionalism looks like, and he knows what motivates his players, because he knows who they are as people. All this adds up to Neil Craig being the best candidate. I would like to see what Al Clarkson's position is with respect to his relationship with Hawthorn, but I think Neil Craig is the second-best candidate for us after Clarko. Is there anyone else out there who thinks Craigy is the man for us?

I agree with rjays description and I'll add that if we don't get one I won't be jumping up and down.If we get one I'll take it because we need all the help we can get. If we don't qualify for one I'd argue that no one will ever qualify until they have had 8 years like our last 7 which I hope no supporters ever have to go through. edit except for Collingwoods, Essendons, carltons, Richmonds, hawthorns, Ports and GWS's.

There are too many assumptions that those who didn't rate Neeld, hated him. Are we not allowed to critique anybody or anything without hating? If we were to critique a player harshly it wouldn't then mean that we hate that player. The opposite view is equally absurd when rating Mark. His tenure never had anything to do with hate or love. It's just a ridiculous notion. For those wishing that all talk about Neeld ceases, good luck. Bailey was and is still discussed to this day. Neale Daniher is often mentioned in various threads. I'm not necessarily disagreeing with the premise of your post, Mb38.

Don't fall for this smoke and mirrors call for an expanded salary cap - it is a trap. We get a bloated salary cap. So we overpay all our players, and then we are told 3 years later that we can't have it anymore and we will have a terrible time trying to fit back into it. We need talent, we HAVE plenty of cap space as it is to keep and attract. We need talent. We need draft assistance.

The press we implemented was critical, especially in the first half. They were completely unable to clear the ball from our forward 50 and regularly just hoofed a guy on our team standing on his own in the middle of the ground. It was like we were playing against us, honestly.

And at a time when we're trying to get more people to the 'G' taking away one of our most exciting players could make us even more passé than before. I acknowledge that winning games with an improved midfield will drag supporters back but Howe is still young and has a lot to learn. I really rate Taylor Adams and hope we make a real play for him but Howe's flexibility will be important down the track and c'mon who doesn't love going to the footy knowing that Howe more than likely is going to stand on someone's head and claim the mark of the round? GWS screwed us with Scully let's offer Adams way more than he is worth and grab him in the Pre-season Draft. Adams, Pick 2 mid and a B+/A- grade free agent midfielder would be a dream result.

The next 2 weeks will show whether the players have improved or whether our opposition just created that impression.

What's flippant? We have 5 marking forwards next year. Five. We need mids. Howe is not a mid; what he does can be done by others; he cannot do what we need him to do up the ground. His defensive efforts on saturday night were poor IMO. Loose doggies players had to be pointed out to him several times - he just sorta stood around looking vague and frankly unaware of what was required and the state of the game. When Clisby is telling him where to run then that says that his head goes a wandering. He might well be leading our goalkicking but who else has played forward? Clark has been out; Dawes out; hogan prevented; fitzpatrick earning it and Watts playing back mostly. He's had more opportunity than most - good that he has made something of it. He has worth - we might as well use it when we can. Don't get me wrong, I don't want to trade him. I just think he is an option that other teams would go for and it would be a win win. Best type of deal.

I dont want him to go but you have to give something other clubs really like. He is over the odds for a good trade, but then, i thought that about Brock!

You all have short memories he played some good games in his first three years.

I would strongly consider Dangerfield for #1 & #20.

I hope they rap him up in cotton wool for the end of the season, give him a full fit pre-season and onwards to 2014 with Hogan and Dawes.

Howe is pumped up by media and supporters and his lack of defense has been ignored. I wonder if he is a bad example to other young players. I love his speccies but he is a one trick pony for some-one who is supposed to be very fit.

BB - re Clark, Misson seems quite confident he'll return this season. If he returns and then goes down again with a foot, panic button will be at the ready. Sorry to go off topic, but Clark does me worry me also. Would be very Melbourne-like if he was maxy gawn.

I'd do it for Howe in a heartbeat

Adelaide are locked out until 3rd round too. I'd imagine they are looking for a top 30 pick. Vince just might be available.

information, disinformation , misinformation Remember rule #1 of the media " when any real news doesnt exist, make it up !! "

No but two picks in the top 20 can allow a team to draft in Clark and Dawes. That can change fortunes quickly. There may be midfielders of a similar ilk that we can get.

I think there may be some confusion in this thread regarding the differences between democratic socialism and a communist state. I'm not sure we need to have any discussion about the political ideologies and can keep conversation focused on sport and footy ie should the competition "self level" or should clubs be able to do what they want to win. I have a number of equalisation measures but at the moment they are not equal to the disadvantages the top clubs have gained particularly in the last decade as sports science and coaching has come into our sport. Gone are the glory days of just playing footy and the gap is growing and is starting to look insurmountable without additional equalisation measures.

I would not be so sure. We will see.

We were also robbed of top draft picks in 2010 and 2011 where we should have had pick 5 in both years and finished up with pick 12. Now, I doubt we would have traded pick 5 for Clark but we certainly wouldn't have wasted pick 5 on Lucas Cook. If we get a priority pick it will be for consistently poor performance and it will be used to do exactly what it was designed to do; help out a struggling club. The Bulldogs finished 15th last year and 10th in 2011, but prior to that they finished 4th in 2010, 3rd in 2009 and 3rd in 2008 not exactly struggling there. They had the opportunity to top up, but we only had the opportunity to rebuild a side from as poor base. The members of the Melbourne Football club haven't caused this problem it's been poor administration and coaching but we are the ones who suffer; I know we elect the Board but when there are no alternatives, how can you choose who you want? As much as it may go against the perception of the stereotypical Melbourne Supporter we are among the most loyal group in the competition; I looked around at the crowd last Sunday and there was as much passion there as there is in any other group of supporters yet we get kicked by every journalist and the rest of the media. They want us to fail and that's why they don't want us to get any assistance from the AFL, priority pick or otherwise.

I don't like the idea of a pick that must be on-traded. Generally teams are reluctant to deal a player unless there is a reason to move him on, but are much more willing to give up an as yet nameless and faceless draft pick. It's simply difficult to get reasonable value when dealing for established players. If all we get are draft picks in return, or draft picks & rodan-type players, what is the point? Just give us a mid-1st round pick, I say. Or pick 1. I won't complain.

Pre-purchase wouldn't you. Good question it's been so long since I've been to a game that I've needed to by a visitor pass for and to be concerned about. If in doubt either call the MCC or tweet them. As a side note I went to the Rich v StK game and the members reserved had a completely different feel about it. Much less wine sales much more hot chips sales. Much less scarves a lot more kids in weird track suits and otherwise unattractive people. I'd like to congratulate Melbourne supporters on not just being better than everyone but also appearing much more hygienic.

I refuse to believe we have 'ruined' Morton to the extent you imply. We took Frawley the previous draft to Morton and we developed him into an AA defender. He was a tall rake winger who didn't get any better than he was at 18. He was chosen before he should have been.

So is your position that instead of recruiting Nicholson, we should have recruited some other guy from the ammos who also probably wouldn't have made it? I'm all for moaning about our drafting, but honestly, WGAF if we drafted an ordinary player with pick 14 in the rookie draft. The probability of getting good players that deep in to the draft is slim, so the consequence of blowing it is immaterial. If you stood it next to the consequence of those botched first rounders, you wouldn't even be able to see it.

Any more comments like this and there will be hex on the kid... Repeat after me people: Non-Demon friend (trying to have a chat about footy and being nice enough not to mention this season) - Hey, that Hogan looks good! Will be good next year! Dees fan: Yeah, he looks alright. Hopefully we can bring him at some point in 2014...Need to improve that midfield though. CHANGE SUBJECT TO MIDFIELD ISSUES. Let's not hex the kid. Remember, this is Melbourne. If we like something enough it will be taken from us.

what are you, high? every club in the comp would consider that kid to be the biggest asset in football.. there are plenty of midfielders bouncing around, but an 18 year old key forward like that is pretty much unprecedented I don't care what anyone says, to turn Scully's betrayal into getting Hogan, Viney and Toumpas in one go was an absolute masterstroke by those involved

Joel Macdonald is available, Jack Grimes is 'likely', whilst Jack Viney and Jordie McKenzie are said to be 50/50. Sam Blease has received 'positive news' about his injury but has to pass a test. Mark Jamar and Michael Evans have both been pushed out to 4 weeks. Round 15 Melbourne injury list Jack Grimes (shoulder) available Joel Macdonald (foot) available Sam Blease (ankle) test Jordie McKenzie (elbow) test Jack Viney (foot) test Nathan Stark (ankle) 2-3 weeks Rohan Bail (knee) 2-4 weeks Michael Evans (foot) 4 weeks Mark Jamar (foot) 4 weeks Mitch Clark (foot) indefinite

Would be happy with any of Sheed, Kelly, Aish with our first pick. They all have class, find the footy, make good decisions and execute their skills well. I haven't seen as much of Aish due to his injury, but Sheed and Kelly have both been consistent in displaying the skills which will make them good AFL players. I say we go for the most talented midfielder with our first pick and trade for a midfielder with another pick. Someone like Craig Bird from Sydney would be ideal. He's the right age bracket being 24, experienced with close to 100 games, comes from a good culture and has developed well. He's also a premiership player! He's played defensive roles, played inside midfield roles and has kicked goals. He'd provide ball winning ability and good work ethic with his tackles and defensive pressure. Good role model for our kids as well as being a good midfielder for our team IMO.

Dunstan won't be a top 10 pick. More likely around 20.

17 disposals at 82.4% efficiency - 6 marks - 4 clearances - 3 rebound 50's - 3 inside 50's - 11 tackles - 112 Dream Team points. All while chasing one of the best mids currently in the game. To add to this he gave away 5cm in height, 7kg in weight and 146 games in experience. On this game he a least deserves a bit of credit.

I actually hope that they will NOT play Clark in a match this season What is the point? He knows how to play and won't forget. He needs to be 100% ready to start and complete the full preseason with the rest of the team, not recovering from any further setbacks. I have no doubt that he is maintaining his general fitness in a non weight bearing manner

There's so much love because we've seen what he can do at Casey. The dropped marks are basically nerves, and the more games he plays the less we will see of it. He's hellishly fast for a guy his size, as we saw when he ran away from a couple of mids today and slotted the pass down the throat of a leading forward. He's a good overhead mark (despite what he's done the last couple of weeks) and he's 2m tall. He's been regularly getting 4 and 5 goal hauls at Casey, dominating both forward and in the ruck. What we want to see is an extended run in the seniors to work the nerves out and show some of that ability. Right now is the ideal time for this since we're short on tall forwards.