jumbo returns

David had so many problems to overcome and he can't believe the opportunities some blokes have been given, considering his career was so cruelly curtailed. Unfortunately, who will listen?

Granted - but footy is such a changing beast that even two years ago is like two light years away. Of course, the free flowing game is fantastic as long as players have the mindset, discipline, fitness and skill to go into lockdown when they DON'T have the ball. The players are being taught every training session - at some stage, they'll learn to trust and respect each other. Right now, there's a toxic element in that club that needs to be dealt with. Using Jack's first game as an analogy of the current problem is misguided. Is Jones ignored? Clark? Jack has to do something about the perception that surrounds him. And no, I don't think we've seen the last of the Warlpiri Warrior's bag of tricks - watch him flourish next year and become a leader.

Why would they listen to him? Their massive egos prohibit any constructive feedback or reality to strike a chord.

Deemanding, salient points, but therein lies the problem - the players are not up to any elite fitness to do that gut busting running. They either choose not to (in that case, the exit's thataway) or they can't. Did you see the example of Daniel Kerr, SPRINTING 100 metres to take advantage of a rebound press and KICK a goal? I have not seen any of our current list do that for the best part of five years!! In his short stint here, Scully ran hard to make position and that's the closest we've ever had to an elite runner. Something must, and will, give.

Captain Obvious.

You've got to want to come to a club 1st - atm, we'd be lucky to get a Jehovah's witness knocking on our door.

Let's not forget that the young fellas come to us with exuberance and amazing skills. In some ways, that flair is coached out of them.....but, there is no excuse for lack of preparation, elite fitness and the appetite for a contest. At the moment, 90 - 95% of our players are not up to acceptable standards. Footy is an ever changing chameleon and every player needs to be ready and adapt. FWIW, I watched the 2005 Grand Final and it seemed to me like I was watching a game that was 20 years old!!! Like Outside fifty said, Mark Neeld knows success and I hope he succeeds - we ALL have to get ready for the ride and dig in.

Fired up, we need to stick fat more than ever. Support those players that are trying.

Tell Jack to draw a line in the sand and after his suspension, play him every week.

He's played 17 games? C'mon, cut him some slack.

Jose, this is scary, but we're on the same page for the second time in 48 hours. Training time trials don't lie. The coaching team were shocked by the times the players were registering and kept it in - house. The players need to harden up.

You and I have been supporting each other in relation to Scully leaving. Now, since then I've heard from a mate (who's a journo) that Scully couldn't believe the culture he had been drafted into. Carefree, intensity free, egotistical and undisciplined. I'll take his words with a grain of salt, but if all the coaches tell us that our players aren't fit enough, we need to listen. This morning on the Sunday Footy Show it was revealed that Essendon's playing group, hit the bay to work on their recovery at midnight. Further, they presented for individual rehab sessions 8.00am this morning. I wonder what our players did?

Oh, for FWIW, Geelong didn't get out of 1st gear!! We were witches hats that day

WYL, you're as passionate and articulate as anyone of this forum - you CAN see what's unfolding. The problem is that solid answers will become evident with a win. The salient point might be that this win will be achieved without the minority who are passengers and wannabe footy players. In my workplace in 2008-9, several Carlton supporters were maligning the direction of the club and their draftees 'hadn't come on'. Don't think they'd be having the same conversation now....

I seriously think that this will take most of the year. I just listened to Neil Craig on the Sunday Footy Show and reading between the lines, they know they might be 0-15 or 0-17. He spoke about 'combative' spirit of Nathan Jones, the learning curve of Jeremy Howe (17 games?) and the leadership qualities of our Jacks. Further, Mark Neeld has had one of the toughest initiations and he (Neeld) is as determined as ever to help this club succeed. Please think about the low base we're starting from.

As much as Jose and I have agreed to disagree, he's right. Watch the game closely and you'll see much of that. I'm sure you've noticed how players are so fixated with the contested ball that they ALL get involved, allowing space for the opposition (and free players) These things will take several weeks to get right. They need to learn to stop playing like tackers and get smarter.

Good move - it was quite painful.

It wouldn't be a bad idea.....offer more support.

Maybe the board are meeting with Neeld to ask him how they can support him further? Most of the posters can see which players are responding and they can see those that are going through the motions.

Does Cameron Schwab really post here? Really?

Sounds okay, but I feel we need to blood another youngster...

Anybody want to go first? Or is the loss still too raw? Jurrah - (if injured) Magner - needs a rest? Sylvia - is the back still dodgy? IN: Couch - time to try Dunn? Cook? Tapscott? Dunno...

The problem with my thinking is that I want to see him pick up a man? The problem with my thinking is that he affects a spoil? Blocks? Become accountable? Attack the footy? Tackle? I'd rather see this rather than his tip-toeing.

Please take a breath and assess those touches.....how is Jack going to learn hard, disciplined footy if he's a 'loose' man in defence? Where's his accountability? Where's his discipline? Where was the GUTS to fill the hole? Neeld gave him the opportunity to show the footballing world he was ready, but, alas, he failed again. Soft, bruise free footy. Is that what you want, BIG JIM?

BIG JIM, Watts was the best? Really? Really? *sigh*