rpfc

I don't think Neeld was saying his role was to beat a tag. I think he will be given a specific role; as a forward pocket at the feet of Clark with responsibility for the forward press, a HBF role with an emphasis on both defence and attack, or as a high flanking role similar to what Sylvia does but without the marking ie. get to contests and move out the back or get the hands off. He seems to have lost all confidence when given an undefined role to 'get the footy' in the middle and he needs to get back to what he did in 2010 and then move into what he did in 2009. Looking forward to the effect the new coaching group will have on all the players but especially our senior players like Davey.

Of course he would have done this, RB. This honesty will make or break some players. But I would prefer we settle who is ready to put the work in now so we can stop wasting our time with those are wasting theirs. And to personalise it - t'll with either make Jurrah a great player or it will not... But talent like his deserves the chance at greatness.

9 days to go.

9 days to go!

Words feel inadequate but we are lucky to have touched the life of a young man and he ours. The eternity of the internet and the power of this site allow his intellect and passion to be seen past his time and that is a great thing. Condolences to his family and friends.

Anything he says will be juxtaposed against Bailey but that does not mean he is casting judgement. Why bother. Geelong and about 8 other sides judged us in 2011...

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/mark-neelds-hardline-approach-to-lift-dees-out-of-the-doldrums/story-e6frf9jf-1226193168855 He is going to annoy some people at the club...

14 days to go.

Just caught up with this. Nelson Cruz just lost a World Series. Unbelievable.

Was really good for about 3 months. I think he will be special. He has always had the footy IQ, and the workrate has been there since 2009, now he has the hunger for the contest and confidence in his size and ability. I'm going to enjoy his career.

You have family and friends who love you. Maybe Demonland should have a 'Beyond Blue' sticky thread...

I know your pain... My name is rpfc, and I post at Demonland. Hello rpfc...

Really? You tell people you post here?

I was being flippant. You said this: The cash comes from the Board's resolve, quite correctly, not to pay Scully an outrageous salary which would destabilse the team. So I said this: How cash can be obtained by not spending an amount you were never going to spend is beyond me... You are trying to say that we will spend money on a coach as opposed to a player, I replied by saying that the 'extra' money set aside for Scully is non-existent. We have reportedly given his management our 'best offer' of around $3m over 5 years. With that in mind we can now move on because the scenarios are now down to two: 1. He stays on that salary. 2. He goes and we have $600k to spread around. There was never a time when we were going to match the Scully offer of close to $1m - so you cannot reallocate funds that were never allocated. Maybe the next time you don't understand what someone is saying you can ask for clarification.

'Value for money elsewhere'? I don't understand. Yeah, Neeld at $300k would be cheaper, but he isn't a proven flag winning coach who is out of contract. The key to this 'offer' which I am sure was just ballpark figures is that we wanted him to know how interested we are before he is signed by the Hawks.

1. F... the process. If you internally agree that one person is amongst a few targets, their CV is very good and they are out of contract - you let them know that you are an option. 2. Who gives if we push up his price? We are acting now because we cannot act later. Can't wait for him to sign a contract with the Hawks. And who cares if we are showing our hand? Too many on here are worried about perceptions. I think with our problems - people who don't think we are a basket case won't be swayed by trying to get Clarkson.

I wouldn't say that. It's probably a deliberate leak - get the word out that we have money to spend, so that other people know that we can compete in the marketplace. Also, gets the story off 'The Internal Crisis at Melbourne'...

We are far too cynical, DC...

I am ok with the club abandoning a 'formal process' if they get a proven coach who has won a flag. Sometomes getting consultants in to tell you something means they tell you something you already know or they give you glossy BS.

How cash can be obtained by not spending an amount you were never going to spend is beyond me... We can pay for a good coach like Clarkson or Malthouse because of the fact that we have grown revenue streams and asked fans to chip in.

Assuming his body is ok, I think it might just be because he is 28 and they would like to rebuild. But I know it doesn't look great when you are picking up players not wanted by teams that are not very good... Which is why I don't think Warnock is going to get us a second round pick that a poster suggested he might...

You have got to work with what you can get. I would like to get a 27-30 year old (or a couple) pro who will command a spot for a couple of years and is a good leader to help fix our easily pleased culture. Example - Kane Cornes. I would also like to target a 23-26 year old (or a couple) established player that can command a spot in the 22 - must have a good head. Example - Travis Boak. I don't know if either is available, or who else might be but I would love to get a couple of both.

Yeah, I have a similar sentiment. The issues have been laid bare. We can fix them before they become the difference between winning a flag and not... Possibly like the Saints? Just throwing that out there...

I keep getting pulled back into the scrum... I have nothing to say and it has degenerated back to the 'lying-gate' issue (to throw another 'gate' around) of which I feel compelled to respond to for some reason...(ego, probably) But I am weaning myself off of it...

Yeah, I was a big rap for him and can still see what he 'could' become but this year hasn't been great... Throw him in the middle and see how he goes, I want to see him wear a few tackles.