Ron Burgundy

Seems like it's rocket science for you unfortunately hardnut.

?!

Fitness in this context = AFL standard or better. However, it seems when Misson took over the reigns at the MFC, we were less than AFL standard. Notwithstanding that I spoke to John Quinn (Head of Sports Science at GWS) recently at a corporate function and that he confirmed the following view in spades, I'll provide another account for stating this view. I injured my hip flexor earlier this year. A mate referred me to a leading sports physio in Sydney to treat it (he also does the physio for several rugby clubs in Sydney), but takes fee paying individuals as well (ie, me). I asked him whether he knew Dave Misson. He said 'of course, everyone in the industry does'. I then asked him whether he's any good. His response - 'yep, he's one of the best. I don't actually know him very well, but he's got an enormous reputation.' I then asked, 'how long before he gets the Dees up to elite AFL fitness?' His response: 'Probably about 3 pre-seasons - and, that said, he won't even try to rebuild the senior players. It's too late for them - he'll just try to tweak them. Whereas for the younger players, he'll invest the time - BUT it will take a lot of time and patience too. There are no miracles in this space - it's all hard work, and I understand they were a fair way off the pace - so, for them, it'll take even longer. First of all, they need to catch up to the other clubs - all of which put enormous energy into this area as well - but, to then surpass them - well, that's not easy because they also have elite regimes and elite athletes, and they're all going like a bull at a gate on this stuff. So it's not easy at all. I'm confident you'll be happy with the results in a FEW years from now though'. My take out - most lay people don't get this area - it's simply too scientific. They simply want instant results, and, if those results are not there instantly, the supporters get frustrated. BUT I strongly suspect the physio's analysis above is correct. 100% correct. This stuff takes time. And the new regime hasn't had the requisite time just yet. To suggest otherwise is plainly stupid. But then again, the dominant majority at the time also thought Galileo was wrong.

Great post Dee Landing. Just the sort of ordinary response from supporters we need right now - particularly given that your 'analysis' seems to be based entirely on irrational emotional responses, rather than clearly reasoned evidence based thinking. Neeld, Misson, Craig, Rawlings, Brown and a few others have brought a professionalism to this club that it's not ever seen before. That, to me at least, is clear. Doesn't mean they can transform the joint (and the list) in one season though. To suggest otherwise would be naive in the extreme. I feel very confident they will though. All the signs are there IMO. I think you will see a very different team in 2013. It will be a Mark Neeld moulded team. And I reckon it will perform pretty well.

Knew we were stuffed when Jamar was subbed out at quarter time. Prior to that, we were simply smashing them in the contested possessions and clearances. Strauss was only intended to play the last quarter - had to play three. I expect Grimes will be out next week - he is a trooper. Hope Bennell is not out for the rest of the season. As to fitness - anyone who knows ANYTHING about AFL fitness knows you can't turn an unfit list into a super fit list in one pre-season. This doesn't reveal the incompetence of Misson or Craig - rather it reveals the absolutely drop dead ignorance of the posters posting that mindless droll.

I don't think that's what Stuie's saying KingDingAling. That Moloney is out of form, or no longer able to cut it with the new regime (which is clearly what we need), doesn't mean it's acceptable to brutalise the guy. We're not Syria here. Moloney has been a great, loyal clubman for us for many, many years. That IMO is to be respected when comments are made about him.

I wholly agree with the tenet of the article. Garlo's a champion. One day, if the club actually commissions a statue of him, I'll be sure to pay it due respect. http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/7415/newsid/141146/default.aspx

Everyone here is in furious agreement about the state of our midfield. However, we should be able to address the midfield very effectively THIS draft period. I hope this will entail recruiting some very high quality junior mids and an established midfielder from another club. However, we cannot kick a winning score at the moment. This is not only due to our poor midfield - it's due to the poor state of our forward line. For instance, I think we had more inside 50s than the Lions recently and got belted. Mitch Clark has single handedly kept us in games this year. His absence has shown how important imposing talls are in a modern day forward line, and unfortunately also to our team in particular. And that's why the club is having a red hot crack at getting Cloke. If we landed him, literally overnight we'd have one of the most dangerous forward lines in the competition. But that doesn't mean the club won't also focus on the engine room. It actually surprises me to see any debate on this. At all.

That could very well be true. I am not at all knowledgeable on the WAFL or its players. Was simply speaking to someone who appeared to be in the know, and he simply said this kid could be a steal. Hence, just wanted to put his name on the MFC radar.

Cloke + Boak + 2 classy young mids with picks 3 and 12 + Viney under F-S + a great Misson-led pre-season in 2013 (Mitch Clark and others raring to go) = simply mammoth transformation of on-field performance in 2013. Unfortunately it seems Cloke will re-sign with the Pies shortly. Hope the club has a red hot crack at Boak. What other mature age talls could the club look to snare (assuming Cloke stays)?

I expect you know my views on young Tom, old dee! This kid however is apparently a team player. I was merely trying to emphasise that he has good character. Not for a moment suggesting he's another Boba Fett.

Whatever happens with Cloke, I love one simple fact. And that is this - we clearly have loads of cap, and picks, and the intent to get serious in hunting the quality players in the league. In short, we are becoming the hunters. Our offers now scare some of the big clubs. This is a lot different to previous seasons where we're either not taken seriously when big names are discussed or we have to pay 'overs' simply to retain our own senior players. Despite our ladder position, I'm actually enjoying this aspect of the year.

Apparently this kid has character in spades. Doesn't drink, doesn't party, lives with his parents - in short, a very humble young man. That said, this is ALL hearsay - I've never met him. I think he ranked in the top 5 for 400 metre sprints at the AFL Combine too - so he's not slow. And he's a ball magnet.

And you say I've got my head in the sand?

Could be our next Magner. Clearance specialist. Racking up possessions in the WAFL like nobody's business. Nailed the AFL Combine last year. St Kilda thought he lacked pace, but his stats suggest otherwise. Perhaps a potential rookie selection for next year? Mark HUTCHINGS (West Perth)

This is the worst post I have ever read. And that's saying something. Well done tonatopia.

I had thought the club rates Evans quite highly. He's been injured all year, so some of the assessments on this thread don't seem to founded on fact. Why do some people here not rate Evans?

It's clear to me that Neeld is a good coach. His methodology is there for all to see - in short, he has a disciplined focus on the fundamentals. He has a system which he will implement, but this will take TIME. Neeld has come into our club (less than one year ago - think about that), quickly assessed the list and the club culture, and determined what needed to change. He immediately recruited some mature, hard bodies (some of whom are already in our best 21). He changed the leadership group - fundamentally. It wasn't just about youth, it was about type - it's about building a professional club culture. He immediately secured one of the best fitness guys in the business in Dave Misson. He also convinced Neil Craig to buy into the journey/approach - and Craig was apparently fielding offers from left, right and centre. Craig's no idiot, so this in itself has got to say something. (And, for what it's worth, Malthouse also rates Neeld as highly as anyone - and he's worked alongside him, day and night, for years.) Neeld then convinced Mitch Clark to buy into the journey. And Rawlings. And Leigh Brown. I have never seen so many quality types come to this club in the face of competing offers from other clubs. And much of this can be attributed to Mark Neeld. This guy has the goods. Of that I am absolutely convinced. I'm not sitting on the fence with this 'only time will tell' stuff. We're bloody lucky to have him. And, as to all the holes that even Blind Freddy can see that so many people are cleverly pointing out here - cop a tip, I reckon they're very obvious to Mark Neeld and his match review committee too.

You bewdy.

Good games - Colin Sylvia and Jamie Bennell. Well done.

Will be stoked if we win this. Cannot see how we'll kick a winning score though. Clark is without doubt our most important player.

Would love to see Junior back at the club in some capacity. If we landed Ling, I'd be absolutely stoked - I don't think we could hope for a better midfield coach.

My thinking too Old Dee. I was slightly nervous about this decision when we delisted him - he appeared not to have been given too many opportunities under Bailey. Clearly we needed a small forward. Still do. I'm now hoping that will be Aaron Davey.

Why? As an aside, would Addam Maric be in our best 21 had we not delisted him?

Picking up a couple of Shaun Griggs' style players would be fantastic.