Redleg

The problem is that the vibe/rumour is that MN has lost the players and if that is so, he has to go. BTW they play like he has lost them.

Suppose so.

Interesting article in the Age by Michael Gleeson, on Dees and Dogs. It shows that the Dogs have performed worse over the last 18 games and despite the extraordinary events that engulfed the Dees and their injury list, we cop it, while the Dogs fly under the radar.

Correct and that is the purpose of the PP.

That was not what I was actually getting at, as of course Gys was pick 11 and not the bloke we all thought we would get. But then again we aren't as smart as BP.

If we continue on like we are and don't get one, no one ever will again, under the current system.

What, you don't think we will get at least one PP and a high draft pick? I can see a high PP and maybe a lower PP and us in first or second position in the draft. Worthy recipient first!!!!!!!!! What about 7 sh-t years and then this year of sub standard AFL footy. The Dogs are better than us and played finals a few years ago.

I never understood why we seemed so desperate to get him. BTW how is Gys going at Werribee?

You can add Byrnes to that group.

Bob while I am as depressed as any Dees fan, I agree with Jackson that it is not a hard fix. First he gets the right people in place and clearly defines their roles and the goals. Next he ensures proper governance. Last we need to get the perfomances on field up to a proper standard. That of course will not be his task but rather the FD. As for the List, I am sure we all thought that while not great, it was reasonable at the start of the year. Clearly the performances are far below what we could have reasonably expected. Those performances can color one's impression of the list. If you analysed the list, you could say it was reasonable in the back half, ok in the forward half when you accept Hogan is to come, lacking in the midfield and ruck and lacking strong leadership and talented experienced players. IMO the club sought to remedy the last bit with Gillies, Byrnes, Rodan and Pedersen and IMO has failed dismally. Admitting the error at season's end and moving them on puts us back one year only if that. Playing younger players adds experience to the list. I can see a PP or two plus another early pick and that should allow us to improve the midfield if we get it right. A free agent or two could further add to the midfield. We have several young players to come, in Toumpas, Hogan, Barry, Tynan, Fitzpatrick, Blease, Taggert, Davis etc. On the horizon is a young Stretch and maybe a young Grinter and others. The key is getting the right people in place and especially a Coach that the players will work for and learn and develop from. The culture, that wonderful word, can be created with all of the new breed coming in. The bad press needs to stop and I accept that will only happen when performances improve. We need fairly soon to end the Coach speculation, even if a fill in takes over until a new permanent Coach can be appointed. We have significant assets and no debt at the moment. The membership will rise when we improve on the field. WE ARE NOT A BASKET CASE, WE ARE JUST PLAYING LIKE ONE.

I would imagine that since the glowing recommendation he gave to Lyon, Malthouse would have him at Carlton.

He has been more successful so far than I thought he would be. He has composure and disposal skills, unlike so many other Dees and can find the ball. Good selection at around pick 50 I think.

On Hannath, any one of those picks given for Gillies and/or Pedersen would have got us Hannath, before the PSD where he was taken by Freo. So I think it is someone's fault if we wanted Hannath.

Our football has destroyed my interest in the game for this year at least. I actually think I am getting numb to our performances. I thought there were several seagulls who played better than some of our players last sunday. PS. If the Coach had any positive input into getting Pedersen, Gillies, Byrnes and Rodan, then he has no idea of what is needed in modern AFL football.

What, he's deaf as well?

When you think it can't get worse it does.

Agree with you RR entirely. The AFL would be greatly embarrassed by our position. We are non competitive and a non viewing TV option. That hurts the AFL. We are also unbalancing the ladder, by who we play. I can see the AFL quietly "directing" other clubs to not poach MFC players this year. I can see us getting not 1 PP but maybe 2 or even more depending on our finish to the year and where the PP's are placed. I don't think you would get that much argument from the other clubs given our situation and their need to keep the AFL happy. I can see us getting a large AFL grant to pay off the extraordinaries this year, like the fine, the CEO termination , the Coach termination and any other staff terminations. I can see some help from the AFL on sponsorship in some way. I can see another favourable draw next year. I can see the AFL leaning on certain personnel to join the club. I can see Jackson staying on well after his suggested 6 months, to get the ship going the right way. As I have said previously I think we are in bed with the AFL now and clearly need to be and this will provide a lot of help. I pray to God Jackson gets the right people in place in the right structures and that they all do a brilliant job, that is our only hope.

That of course doesn't explain the onfield perfomances.

That may be far easier said than done. Who do you know that is smart, steeped in corporate ways, succesful, wealthy, has time to devote and is motivated enough to drink from the poisoned chalice? Oh yes, you need to find several of them not just one.I feel that this Board would walk, as the previous one did, if there was a viable alternative. I would imagine they are devastated at the current situation. PS. Lets also not forget one positive while we are sinking the boots in, this board, together with their mates and other supporters, wiped off a $5million debt left by the previous Board. I don't blame the previous Board for that, as they, as do all Boards, tried to do their best. Nobody deliberately goes onto a club Board to stuff the place up.

You are right I used the wrong instrument to attack BP. I stand by this comment however and am willing to look at any argument you want to put up to counter it, "BP is the main cause of our on field problems."

I looked it up. We took Juice Newton and John Meesen, a totally wasted rookie draft. Newton went early and later came Barlow of Freo and Daw. Just these two players would make a huge difference to our side. A great mid and an exciting young Forward/Ruck. I know I shouldn't do this as everyone agrees hindsight is a wonderful thing, but Lewis Jetta went after Gysberts. You can blame whoever you like for our woes, but IMO, BP is the main culprit. With or without development, if MN had a few of these players, how different would our side be? We drafted abysmally for a few years, end of story. PS. The fill in recruiter Todd Viney will IMO prove more successful with his batch in one year, than BP did in several.

Has anyone brought up Majak Daw yet? I recall at the time of the draft there were plenty of Demonlanders who wanted us to take him. Does anyone remember who we took instead? I would imagine whoever it is has probably already left.

and

I wasn't surprised, I was just showing that people like Denham and Russell, have no comprehension in their Melbourne bashing, of any fairness, when looking at a timeslot and opponent, to guage support of a club. I recall Russell bashing us for getting about 21000 against an interstater on a sunday and remaining silent when the Power drew about 13000 on a saturday. I am just annoyed at the hypocrisy of some media people.

Pretty strong GC outfit this week. Our side is far from our best. This could be another awful result for us.