Bang Bang Bang

A few thoughts on the matter... Firstly, if this doesn't prove that $cully had signed with GW$ late last year (I personally think it does), at the very least it shows he was being totally dishonest in his March presser. A lot of us held him to this presser all year, gave him the benefit of the doubt.The offer was there and he said it wasn't. Lied to our faces. Even lied to the great Jim Stynes shortly afterwards! Secondly, I find it funny that this guy has spent his whole life waiting to play AFL, and in the space of 2 years (probably less), has totally destroyed his reputation beyond repair. Diddums. The only way he can redeem himself from here and justify everything that's happened... is to play some seriously good footy. I'm talking Judd-level footy, maybe better. Given his limitations and frail body, I can't see that happening. Finally, I never considered late-ish first round picks as compensation fair. However, upon reflection, we are better off without this cancer at the club, regardless of what we end up doing with those picks. If we can nab a couple of stars with them, then that will be the icing on the cake. The guy has shat on one of the oldest sporting clubs in the world. I hope the money is worth it.

Can't believe people aren't enjoying what Neeld is saying. He's clearly a no nonsense coach who expects nothing less than 100% commitment from all within the club. If he had said something like "Watts is a big softie, I want him to harden up" then I could understand the concerns, but all he has said is that Jack should forget about TV ads etc and focus on becoming the best player he can be. Woahhh, what a travesty! How dare he say that! Let's bring back Bailey who can put them all on the head and tell them how great they are for beating Essendon. At the moment it's all talk and the proof will be in the pudding (game plans, W/L, effort etc) but as far as I can see, Neeld is exactly the kind of hard head we need. He would have been a scary teacher

Just something else I was thinking about before... the aftermath of our win over the Bombers. While it was a good win at the time and DB can be forgiven for showing a bit of emotion afterwards... I don't think we'll be seeing a repeat of those antics under Neeld. As I said, it was a great win but I saw the aftermath of it recently and watching us strut around like we had won a GF was kinda cringe worthy in retrospect. Hopefully under Neeld we should expect to win this games and celebrate the victories appropriately. It's these little things that I want to see change in 2012.

I don't normally buy too much into fluff articles quoting coaches over the off season, but this article is REALLY pleasing to read. No more gifted games and skulking around for cheap kicks in 2012 Aaron, if you don't put in the hard yards you don't play. Names and reputations mean nothing to MN. For too long (Bailey and Daniher eras) name players could do as they pleased. Not anymore! Still, it's the players that have to put the ball through the big sticks. I've been super impressed with the coaching team we've assembled, but it doesn't necessarily mean success is imminent. 2012 will be a very interesting year.

As I said above, the "uncertainty" didn't stop Trengove, Tapscott, Gawn etc from putting pen to paper. Really Mr. Moneybags should just come out and say "The money was too good to pass up. You only get one chance in this game and I had to cash in while I could." It wouldn't make us like him but at least its the truth.

""I didn't know sort of where the club was at . . . all that crazy stuff going on when Dean got sacked, it put a bit of uncertainty in the minds of the players," Yep clearly it did, and it justifies you leaving Thomas. Let's try and forget that Jack Trengove made a statement at the same point of the year and signed a long-term deal.

November 2011: "I know my future's here and I anticipate I'll be here for the rest of my career." March 2011: ''I'd love to end my career and say I was a one-club player, and anticipate that will be the case" Pure drivel from a money-hungry cripple with a bad haircut. I was foolish enough to take him on his March press conference for much of the year too, as were several key figures at MFC. Anyway he's their problem now. Good player but its money down the toilet.

Massive coup and getting him for just pick 12 is a bargain. This guy was a #9 pick originally, has fulfilled the promise you'd expect as a top 10 pick and is approaching his prime. It's a big win for us. The coin he'll be getting is excessive - but I'm comfortable paying him overs to get him signed. We had a war-chest waiting to be used anyway - and I'd be a lot more comfortable having Clark than A.Davey as our highest paid player.

Played like Superman for one quarter against North. Unfortunately one quarter in 7 years ain't quite enough. Curtains.

I reckon he'd be worth around pick 12 and a downgrade of a second round pick. I think he'd be a great fit, although not gonna hold my breath. How long is it since we landed someone of quality in trade week? Probably Moloney all the way back in 2004. And this week has already started poorly (IMO) with the mini-draft picks going elsewhere. Hopefully we can land him, not looking forward to seeing that awful sleeve tattoo he has on a weekly basis though ;-)

I don't wanna lose this guy. Sure he's no star, but he's hard as nails and an experienced head down back. Unless we absolutely have to axe him for list management purposes, then he stays for mine. Would get rid of several others before him. He's not that old anyway is he? 26-27?

Not up to it IMO. Sure he has a crack and I respect him for that, but his foot disposal is diabolical. Honestly, his technique is as bad as I've seen at AFL level. I watched today's game and just cannot envisage someone like Bartram being there when it's our turn, if that ever comes. Will be interesting to see what Neeld does with him.

I don't hate the Pies as much as others, and there's something about Geelong I don't like. A certain smugness about them. Having said that I'll be supporting Geelong, but don't really care either way.

So we beat 4 other clubs for his services. If that's not hot property then I'm not sure what is.

People forget that Neil Craig actually has a damn good record as Crows coach. Yeah sure they sucked this year but before that it was finals every year. Back in the mid noughties they were just about the best team going around (except for the choking at finals time). Furthermore we've got him in a role that suits his expertise. The fact so many other clubs were after him makes me happy. Interestingly, Craig and Bailey were both sacked this year as many predicted. Since then, Craig has been hot property, while Bailey has been left in the lurch. Kinda sad isn't it? No doubt Bails was a great guy and had the right intentions, but if he was up to it, he would have found a new gig by now.

Funnily enough, Jade Rawlings was coaching Richmond on that fateful day in 2009.

Good. I wonder if Mahoney and Royal will follow? I think the latter is signed up for another 2 years.

Sounds like we've got a good one on our hands. Even if he does turn out to be a flop (doubt it, but you can never be sure), at least he has got us excited for footy again. $cully who? Now I await the "Sack Neeld" threads after our first loss in Round 4 next year. ;-)

1. Frawley 2. Watts 3. Sylvia 4. Trengove 5. Jamar 6. Moloney 7. Howe 8. Garland 9. Jones 10. Jurrah Very rough go at it.

Just had a look at the compensation formula on the AFL website. We will almost certainly get 2 first round picks. One will be pick 11, the other will be dependant on where we finish in the year we decide to take it. Good chance that will be next year, and will equate to around pick 10-12. Given the compensation is determined on the player's age and contract offer, there is no way in hell the compensation will be any less than band 1.

How long until they convince themselves that Hurley's foot is shot and that they'd be better off with the 2 first round picks as compo!

Almost the final nail in the coffin. Respect to those still trying to water down the situation but this news has just about done it for me! Thanks for the memories Tom. I'll miss your sprints out of packs and floating kicks to the opposition. B)

I saw that, was gonna post it here but I think we are clutching at straws. Then again he is his best mate....

I know Caro isn't hugely popular, but it seems strange of her to suddenly say it's a done deal/certain etc when all year she has been sitting on the fence. The article worries me, but it won't be long before Scully's future is made official. In fact, I've been glued to the computer all day waiting for news. Maybe the thread should be locked until an announcement is made, I'm sick of checking back every 5 minutes to see the same old faces arguing ;-)

Hutchy last year said Gary Ablett would stay at Geelong, literally a day before Ablett strutted out in his new Gold Coast polo!