sylvias dukes

He is making bold statements to the media to sound tough. Apparently Paul Roos use to have really confronting chats with players behind close doors but we don't know what was said. He didnt go on radio and single blokes out. I just think that a little bit of support of his players in the media is the right path. That's what Brendan Mccarthy is adopting in relation to Brian Lake who was as disappointing as Davey last year. Actually their years were very similiar

I can't see your point

Lots of far more astute judges of the game then you and I agree with this sentiment, yet I strangely don't. I personally feel that it is the best XI cricketers in the country who should have the right to don the baggy green cap. I can understand people being too old but to me playing blokes just cause they are young seems irrational. Hughes being young is the only reason he is getting a game. Katich is far superior. Water always finds its level and the selectors need to start selecting players on performance

They are supposedly the best XI cricketers in the country and have a responsiblity to play properly. This is why Haddin should be dropped for all eternity, with Hughes, Johnson, and I hate to say it the legendary Ricky Ponting under extreme pressure. They don't need people to oversee the side. Anyway it was the batting that let them down which is purely an individual act. No one can make runs for you, you have to do it yourself.

One Premiership at Collingwood as an assistant just like Dean Bailey at Port Adelaide unless you count flags for Ocean Grove, which I don't. He is a coach who has been hired and without actually doing anything, other then saying a few things, been given the biggest tick imaginable by the media. Admitadly this is no fault of his own but I think these latest comments demonstrate his new found ego. Jack has been in the media recently which is all well and good as far as I am concerned but to single him out and say "there is no point being in ads if you can't play footy" is disrespectful. Especially when he is doing an ad for our major sponser which was obviously organised through the club which to be honest makes Neeld seem like a simpleton. The same can be said about his public comments concerning Morton and Davey. It's okay to have that opinion but whats the point of expressing it to the media. I wouldn't see Roos do it, Lyon do it, Mark Thompson never did it, I can't recall Malthouse singling players out either. Hopefully this is a kick up the bum which makes the players on notice work harder, but I can't see any purpose in it. Overall I think that Neeld has talked the talk but it is going to be time to walk the walk soon and hopefully he is equiped. I can't believe all the people who are deeming this man the messiah already which reminds me of all the gooy do gooders who fell in love with Obama and his premise of changing the world. In the end he is just another politican, and Neeld is just another untried coach which 3 months ago was deemed as inappropriate for our list as we needed a seasoned coach. Sorry to be so negative but the forum seems to be so upbeat cause Neeld makes bold statements to the media

I'm I the only one who didnt like the letter? Bad timing for one. We have been disgusting the last three weeks. Secondly he mentions how he has fought for our future and apart from mentioning the foundation heroes has failed to realise that it was the members and supporters who wiped the debt, not an astute business model. Thirdly he reckons that we are only playing the players 92.5% of the salary cap. Considering that the side consists of no current elite players I find it hard to comprehend how paying 100% of the salary cap is beneficial. It would be good to keep Scully but if we lose him its not the end of the world, we will receive compensation. Geelong can fit their whole list within the salary cap, a list which has earned them two flags with sustained success. It has a stable administration which means that players want to remain at the club and have shown loyalty. Who could blame Scully for leaving? We are a basketcase. I know Jim is currently ill, so I am at pains to criticise him, but surely renewing Schwabs contract for another year is a potential waste of money. Garry Lyon is conducting an investigation which will more then likely show that Schwab has been incapable in which he must sacked, ironically the same verdict the board reached on the Friday before the Geelong massacre. The club spent 80,000 on the Andrew's report that was buried. Therefore before asking members for more money the club needs to show that the administration is in some way functioning. Also the on field performances needs to lift considerably. Why should people invest money in the club other then loyalty?

I dont know why people hate players who go out there and try their best for their side. However in the spirit I would say Buddy annoys me cause he always kicks straight against Melbourne. In hindsight every good player in the AFL annoys me whenever they play Melbourne because they invariably play well. Whenever they dont play well they dont really have to cause their team smashes us. Anyone else frustrated?

HAHAHAHA. Cut the crap you were captain of a soccer team yet want to make a comparision about leadership with a bloke who is a captain of an AFL side. Please make your point but to mention yourself is an embarrassment. Brad has had a bad year but there are 22 blokes who take the field each week who have been collectively terrible with the worst coach of all team. Seriously Dean Bailey has been the biggest hindrance. Worst coaching record of any coach over 80 games in the history of the afl/vfl. Melbournes last two weeks have been that embarrassing. 186 points followed by 70+, seriously. Dean Bailey need i say more

The administration has not been that good. Stynes, god bless him, lead a board who publicly asked members to dip into their pockets and basically bail the club out. He was successful in this instance because he was Jim Stynes. A man able to unify the club, however he has been ill. The men he entrusted to help build the club however have let him down and the club. Schwab was seemingly sacked from Freemantle for interfering in the football department. His whiteboard stuff was good in the beginning but when he started talking about football matters it looked pathetic. I have no doubt he is a capable CEO, but I can believe that he is interfering in the football department and it is obvious that his relationship with Bailey became untenable. Same can be said with Conelly who did not even show up to the Bailey press conference. When Bailey was asked about the support he received from the administration his answers spoke volumes. Did not even mention them. Heard Don Mclardy on 3AW and he knew nothing and just sounded so incompetent. Was prepared to go on air and didnt even listen to Baileys press conference. His demeanour is in sharp contrast to Garry Lyon, who has been excellent this week and MUST come in and help clean up this mess. The Andrews report being buried is astounishing. 80,000 for what? As a supporter group we have the right to be [censored] off. Jim Stynes kept telling us with certainty that Bailey was going to lead this wonderful era. Facts are for a coach over 80 games he has the worst winning record in history. I know this is testing time for the club but it is the administration, and playing group who have got us to this position not the record 36,937 members. I can't see how they current administration has done more for the club off-field. One of our major sponers, Kaspersky, was actually discovered by a Melbourne supporter overseas who alerted his boss about the seemingly unsponsored Melbourne which was a perfect fit for the company as they were trying to invest in Austraialia. Struck gold there. The new facilites at AAMI Park was actually Park Gardiners idea, as was Casey. One thing that has annoyed me is that Jim never acknowledged the work Paul Gardiner did for the club. Stynes was needed and has delivered all he can to the club, by essentially getting us members to pay more. His administration has been rubbish. How the hell does Schwab have a one year extention? It is telling that he has not spoken in the media yet, especially for a man who thrives on attention. Really needed to get that off my chest. CARN DEEESS!!!!!!!

I saw Tapscott and Trengove at Boutique on Saturday night/early Sunday morning. I was seriously [censored] off and didnt believe it at first. Even my mates who don't support Melbourne were surprised and frankly found it hilarious. They even realised how much of a joke it was. To top it off Tapscott bought a mate of mine, that he just meet at the bar,a drink and he is a Geelong supporter. I remember reading somewhere that an ex melbourne player at Hawthorn said there is a distinct difference in professionalism between the two clubs, and I now whole heartedly agree. I saw Andrew Gaff there as well but his side had won and he had gathered 31 possesion and kicked 2 goals. There is a time and a place for a drink but after you lose by 31 goals its probably not the right time

Great Post. I admire the way Richmond are building a winning culture. Halfway through last year betting agency's were paying out for Richmond to finish last. There were bets on when they'd actually win a game/or would win one. Hardwick has installed some pride into the club. Richmond play with some passion and a real desire to win. I'm not questioning whether the players are trying but surely deliberately losing has some serious consequence on the club. We took tanking to a new level in 2009. Prior to the season I was certain we were better then Richmond but now I have my doubts

If he doesn't respond then drop him but he has been one of our better players over the last couple of seasons. I have faith that Aaron Davey will play well this week. He gets tagged week in week out for a reason, he is a good AFL footballer and our most damaging player. Playing well in the 2's will mean nothing as he is clearly way too good for that standard. Anyway we have no competition for spots at the moment. Newton, Bate, Joel Mcdonald, Warnock, Bartram would struggle to play for any other side whereas Davey, although out of form currently, would make any side in form. Melbourne are in the business of winning games and lets be honest it was his "squib" of a contest on the weekend which has been the cataylst for people calling him to be dropped. It did cost us a goal but Bartrams butchering cost us a couple of goals as well. No one is calling for his head

I can fully understand why people are calling for Davey to be dropped, however I don't agree. Davey was bad on Saturday but lets be honest we are HOPELESS. As a leader he needs to respond this week. One bad week, and one particularly bad effort, should not warrant a player who has been a good servant of the club to be dropped. I am really keen to see how he responds this week

I think the natives would tear down the MCC if that occurred

You say Watts worries you and then praise Grimes for standing up in beltings. Im not trying to knock Grimes but his kicking out was a disgrace in the first quarter and general kicking was pretty average on Sunday. Only a young player and will improve and hopefully become an excellent player at Melbourne but just at the moment is the love child. His only played 20 odd games. He has a long way to go, as does Watts who plays a lot harder position against better opposition and i feel is gradually improving. Hopefully they will be great players for the club

Bruce finished in the top ten for Melbournes best and fairest between 2001 and 2010 every single year. He won a best and fairest in 2008 in arguably the worst afl side of the decade. Surely he was reasonably consistent. Anyway I would be more concerned with Melbourne players. Moloney seems to be quiet when we play badly, maybe its due to our reliance on him to get so many clearances for us that when he plays poorly it invariably effects the team. With such a young team its too early to determine whether they stand up in defeats. Dunn is always terrible in defeats, Miller was also. Harsh on Robbo i thought. Admittedly im still coming to terms with Robbo being delisted and Brad Miller retained on our list, defies logic really

Just wondering if anyone else believes that this young fella deserves to be in the side. Was impressive near the end of last season and according to the Herald Sun was our best player for Casey last week. Assuming Newton gets dropeed (which he must) then I feel McNamara could be an inclusion this week or Martin. Nevertheless it is fantastic to see blokes putting pressure on from the reserves something that hasn't occurred whilst Bailey has been developing our young list

He has played more then two games. How come people are paying out Bruce who played in the backline and did his job. He wasn't our best player but ffs he was far from or worst. His defensive side of his game was excellent, I cant recall an opponent kicking a goal on him. However Bate must go. He is slow and does nothing. I'd keep Bennell in the team, when he pulled out it wasnt good but he also contributed well today.

I dont understand all the bruce bashing on this website. He isn't an overly physical player but he still tackles and wins his fair share of contested footy. He was bad last week but he is surely the least of our worries, he has already established a career. I worry more about Jones, Warnock, Dunn. These kind of middle tier players are the ones that have not improved under Bailey. Compare these players to Essendons middle tier players such as Ricky Dyson, Dempsey, Winderlick, even Watson was a middle tier player when Matthew Knights took over. Same with Hawthorn with Osbourne, Bateman, Sewell, etc all improving dramatically under Clarkson. We drastically need our middle tier players to improve

I just disagree with selection. Sure I dont have the same insight as Bailey and the selectors have but surely its not hard to see that Spencer is not up to it at the moment. Stefan Martin is a much better option, especially in rotating throguh the forward line. Bate I felt was as bad if not worst then Miller last week, Dunn was terrible, Strauss wasn't great but I would have still kept him in the team as well. Tom Mcnamara looked good last year to me so im surprised he isn't in the side. I dont really rate Bail but i hope he does well. The more I think about it we just had so many players last week who simply were not up to AFL standard. If they are down by more then three goals by quarter time on sat I'm gonna be seriously [censored]

I cant see why you wouldn't take Luke Ball. A good footballer. At least we get a good player with pick 11 if we take Ball. Considering Dunn, Bell, and a lesser extent Jones were all taken around there, i'd much rather Luke Ball. I know he has had his injury troubles but is an A grade player when fit. Seems pretty simple to me get Ball

WTF is going on with this Mcdonald not being in our best 22. Also he will not prevent the progress of the young players

He said he was only 50- 60 percent fit so the fact he finished 11th isn't too bad. In 2008 he was our best player. Pick 11 better be a good player cause we sure as hell are losing one. He busted his gut for the club and the fact we didnt even try to convince him to stay frustrates me. He clearly became disenfranchised with the club and is probably the best move for his career. All those who are saying the writting was on the wall with his spot in our team have rocks in our their heards, and a very short memory.

I really hope we dont draft this bloke. Played sport with and against him a long time ago and he seemed soft then. Maybe times have changed but all this injury talk has me concerned. Too big a risk

Ghambir is an absolute machine. The guy should have the ICC player of the year. Much better then Mitchell Johnson, he just makes so many runs