Ron Burgundy

Absolutely agree with everything you have said, Nasher - that's a perfect summary of where we're at IMO.

Why exactly? Cannot we take anything he says at face value? Because, if that's the case, he is exactly the type of person who should not be our next club president.

I would really like to know what the players actually think. For me, the signatures of Sylvia and Watts are the litmus test. Some players have reputedly 'bought in', but I want to see 'buy in' from these two players and Frawley (in the form of a contract extension) - ideally, asap. No use entering another rebuild if we can't even keep the required players who are already on our list. In fact, does anyone have any knowledge as to where the contract discussions are at?

I just simply cannot overcome the fact that he said we should merge or relocate. I don't care about his politics at all - I just can't reconcile how a man who quite recently announced that this club should be put to death now possibly wants to be its president. To me, that's the conduct of a complete charlatan.

Not really the post of a bimbo. Absolutely agree on all fronts.

Totally agree.

Like Clark, an absolutely inspired play getting him to the club.

Just like a good politician follows short term opinion polls and kowtows to the thoughts and feelings of the unthinking masses, right?! Great leaders lead - they don't follow. That statement is just populist schmuck. And that's not to express any judgement on McLardy's performance at all - I'm feeling fairly agnostic about his period as President. Hasn't been great - probably hasn't been especially bad either. If anything, it's just been too bland.

Absolutely. Important player for the club off field too. Give him a year, to be reviewed annually thereafter.

You've obviously read Catch 22 Yossarian. You will therefore get the irony of the almost violent criticisms expressed by some of the most passionate (and patronising) posters here. You just have to laugh. It's too frustrating otherwise ...

Can't believe he forgot to mention Nathan Jones. And, even though he was at a different club previously, Mitch Clark.

Yet, ironically - we have treated virtually all of our senior players with disrespect over the past decade or so.

Sydney have had it forever. And they patronise us.

This season has been a disaster - to date, at least. Made me think, what would I like to see before the next pre season commences? Realistically, that is. 1. Number one priority - re-sign Sylvia and Watts, and contract extensions for the likes of Frawley, Hogan and Gawn (ie, keep all required players). 2. Get some experience and stability into the football department. It's hard to see Mark Neeld at the helm in 2014, but any transition must be handled sensitively and effectively. If Neeld is to go, he must be allowed to go with some dignity. And the new coach must absolutely be the guy to lead us for the next 4 plus years, and he must be someone who inspires confidence with the players and supporters alike. In short, we cannot afford another failed appointment. Mark Williams and Junior McDonald seems like an obvious combination and an easy sell (I would be very happy), but the club obviously needs to ensure we absolutely nail the appointment this time. 3. Retain all major sponsors - and shows some genuine signs of returning to 'surplus' in 2014. 4. Draft really well, including securing a couple of really solid, experienced midfielders from other AFL clubs. Not to much to ask. Surely ...

These players are a bit of a litmus test for me. If the club were to announce contract extensions for all of them in the coming weeks, that would fill me with confidence in Neeld. If we're dealing with the opposite situation though, I'd be hoping for a Mark Williams/Junior McDonald announcement before this year's trade period.

Generation Dee's a moron? Really?! I believe Roos is champing at the bit to coach us. After all, you'd have to be a moron to think otherwise given what he's said to date about the possibility of that occurring ...

Dawes was a great pick up for this club. Stunning to think anyone would think otherwise. Players have different values to different clubs - he may have been surplus to needs at the Pies, but he's definitely an extremely important player for us. I also reckon the Pies may come to regret letting him go too.

Leon Cameron can't coach either obviously. I reckon a coachless Hawks team could beat GWS and us by 90 points. The thing is, not all lists are of equivalent quality and experience, but some people just can't seem to get this.

I accept that. PSD comment was just tongue in cheek - there's no way known that'd ever happen.

Nope - Watts is a required player. Get Prestia for some other deal - PSD would be perfect.

I feel sorry for him. That said, I hope we see a Williams/McDonald combination sometime soon. I also think Neeld's done some very good things for this club, and the incoming coach will have a much easier time than Neeld did.

You've already spoken to the next head coach? Who is it, by the way?

Williams has also demonstrated that he can operate very effectively in a resource poor environment. Probably a relevant skill for the head coach at the MFC.

Posted this already on the wrong thread, but Caroline Wilson stated on Offsiders this morning that the MFC Board has met and that Mark Neeld will be sacked, possibly as soon as tomorrow. They're just working out the severance package. Williams and Junior McDonald - that'd be bloody great. Obviously worked together at GWS, and I have it on good authority that Junior has always wanted to return to the club.

Caroline Wilson just stated on Offsiders that Mark Neeld is gone, potentially tomorrow.