Rhino Richards

With the exception of North, they actually support it.

No he does not. If he aint performing he goes. We already acting as a pension scheme for Yze and one or two others. I think he is line ball and in the new environment I think he will struggle. I suspect he retire at year end. Given we are seeking to build more pace into the side, I think Valenti is no shoo to be elevated at years end. However there is much to happen between now and then.

Its goes hand in hand with the $$$ of the TV rights. We need to get use to it but see for what it is. Articles like Trevor Grant's smacks of the "me tooism" that characterises ordinary journos. Not a scintilla of insight or analysis. Likewise

or definitely?

Its not too early to start earmarking players that wont make it under the new game plan. Already one or two have already shown that they cannot follow instructions and are not accountable. Indeed opinions and assessments are being moulded already. DB needs to identify which parts of the list are going to be able to adapt to the plan and those that cannot. He needs to focus on those who will for the rest of the season and get what value he can from the rest. Its not the dummy spit of frustrated players that you need to focus on but what they do on the field to address it. After 10 years predominantly playing a mainly kicking style of game plan, DB is instructing his players how to play in the modern game. Some will get it, some will take some time and there will be some that dont get it all and will either be traded, retired or delisted. And if they cant apply these principles at MFC what value will they be to other Clubs and they wont find solace elsewhere. When we cleared out the depth and deadwood, we were always exposed to playing the younger kids. But I believe we would get more out of instilling new principles into Morton that keep pedalling NQRs like Godfrey. You are right about where the future of the Club is. Its in the hands of the players. Its a test of individual character that will help identify those that you can build a team plan around against those who want to fall back on old habits that were accommodated. Too many supporters are being ruffled by the media noise and not seeing what is actually happening. By the way Gouga... its embarrassment not embarresment..just thought I'd save you a little.

I think White has been better over the journey but you could add Headland(1998) and Fraser (1999) to that list. Although he has time on his side Cooney underwhelms me.

http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/news/brob...6850812613.html Robert Walls has captured some of the key elements that are happening in todays football. Its worthy of consideration. DB is looking for MFC to play and compete in the modern game. The players have to learn and to follow otherwise its going to be a cold winter for some of them.

From a spectators point of view where possession statistics still seem to rule, Moloney did play a good game. But the problem is his accountability (an issue for some time), commitment to the team plan and adherence to the rules. The game plan under ND did not require the same level of accountability and it acquiensced selfish players and individual acts. That's why Robbo was dragged repeatedly. As Robert Walls said: The worst act of selfishness at the weekend belongs with veteran Demon forward Russell Robertson. Time and again, he leapt recklessly in endeavours to take the mark of the year. As he landed on his back, Bulldog defenders rebounded with ridiculous ease. It's tough and frustrating playing in losing teams, but if individuals put themselves above the team, all is lost. Robbo is going to hate the next 4 weeks. Yze would not like it either and a few more will be added to the list. The survivors will be the ones that have the character and fortitude to commit to a game plan that demands team play at all times.

I think DB could be the instructive coach Colin Sylvia needs. If Sylvia is not happy with DB how the hell would he be happy with a disciplinarian like Craig that plays the same style of football. Get real.

How much weight was lost across the group? The one player that did lose weight was Nathan Jones aka Chunk. In 2006 he had trouble running out a game. In 2007 with the training he was one of the few bright spot. Breaking and holding tackles is not so much about muscles but commitment , accountability and desire. Thats what missing. There are a number of smaller players in the AFL that make tackles hold. Lynden Dunn now has lots of muscles but cant make a tackle stick. We did not lose pace. We dont have it and the modern is punishing the team for it. As far as endurance goes its hard to develop maintain and sustain fitness when we had the level of injuries coupled with an interrupted pre season. There are issues with the side but that was not one of them. And I agree fully with Hannibal. DB is on the right path and some of our "stars" are being shown up. Its a pity too many supports want to believe all the media hype without wanting to find out just whats actually going on.

This topic has been done to death in other threads with far more accuracy insight and analysis than shown here. Its widely recognised that 2001 was a poor draft performance by MFC. In addition in 1999 and 2000 we also had salary cap penalties which has left holes in the maturity and talent profile of our list. 1999 was actually a good draft for us notwithstanding the loss of the 1st round pick as penalty. Scott Thompson at pick 16 was an inspired choice. It is a pity that he returned to Adelaide for family reasons. And if you going to do the job, it is far more sensible to do it on a relative basis re other teams performance as well rather than pick the eyes out to suit a point of view. This topic has been done to death anyway.

Correct. If we finish bottom with less than 16.5 points, then our first pick is No 3. Our 2008 priority pick is pick 19.

Be careful on this as our first pick may not be until Pick 3 if Carlton and Richmond dont win more than 4 games this year.

With Davey out (lose his pace) and you are dropping Buckley who gives us run (albeit with skill errors), why would you consider playing a lazy has been like Yze?

Exactly whether the margin is 100 points or 1 point or even if we crack a win there are some messages and guides to the future already which have been and will be confirmed. I think DB is on the right track and knows what he is doing and what has to be done going forward. Its not a quick turnaround.

It says alot when you confuse starting a melee as drawing a line in the sand. It would seem you have a number of mates who confuse playing competitive hard disciplined football with a melee. Its aggression at the contested ball not the opposition player. Its so basic and fundamental. Neanderthal thinking at best. A disaster in the making.

How would you know if Bucks knows the MFC players better than DB? Any mug can see the problems out there although not many commentators choose to understand what DB is seeking to do. But I glad you rank him on possibly one of the most meaningless statistics in the modern game. I am sure you gain alot of insight from the stat pages of Monday's paper.

When would you have done that Mick and who would you have replaced him our only key forward and only leader. Neitz isnt the one of cattle I would be concerned about. In the selfish queue, Junior and Meitz are a long way up the back.

How would you know? They stick ex players on radio to make critical and hyped statement to impress the legions of supports who still think that in todays game you are always better to kick it long than handball. Your posts fit the bill. You are going to find today's AFL game quite challenging.

I'd probably read at little more on the site. They had one thing in common.......They were no good and were dumped! And 15 other Clubs just passed over them.

It was the !! at the end which was misleading.

http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/news/jesu...6850706999.html "Connolly, himself an off-season signing, said Bailey did not yet know exactly what his players were capable of, and would only decide which players to keep his faith in after another four games. "Once we have a clear view of our playing list then we can move forward as a whole list," Connolly told Triple M radio yesterday."

Absolutely spot on. New game plans and disciplines are hard to train into a side particular one that is young with senior players that are not fully committed and focussed on team aspects. St Kilda is a case in question. Essendon will have a few dips until they get it right. The structure of the side does not compliment Bailey's game plan. Neitz and Robbo are fast become yesterdays footballers. Newton is at a crossroads with questionable attitude and commitment. So what game plan suits all the shortcomings we have. The game of footy has changed so much in the last 3 years that it focussed on the ability to run run run. All positions are mobile on the ground and players need to be both offensive and defensively hard. Thats where our game is going. We must compete against these sort of tactics. We dont have the cattle and the cattle will change. DB needs to find those players who under all circumstances are committed, accountable and able to carry out instructions over the next 3 to 5 years. Most of senior players dont tick every box. Some dont tick any. DB and CC need to look at the list from Davey, McLean and make that assessment over the next 3 to 4 rounds and their plot and plan accordingly.

Mo, they could not be much worse. In 2 years time all the senior list (above 28yo) are likely to be gone. We get nothing from them now. We get less from them in the future. The window for value trading some of them has past. We need to look at the next level Davey, McLean and Co. and see where they are heading and what benefit MFC can extract out of them for the future through development, trade or a bit of both. Also, as is normal, some of the draft picks will not make it. They will go as a well. However we must seek to make changes to the list to address systemic shortcomings that were there well before this cave in. Leadership, pace and KPPs.

You should actually spend the time and energy as to what wins a premiership. You will find that a Coach is just one part of the picture. It will be enlightening for you. How would what the actual situation is with the players and the Coach? How do you know that the players dont have DB's respect, belief, trust and motivation? From what I have seen read and observed, DB has given them an open canvas to all players to perform. He's empowered the players to choose their leadership group and empowered the leadership group to act. Get the picture Mick