Rod Grinter Riot Squad

If that self centred, autocratic, self promoting, know it all, footballing nuffy, is ever co-opted to our club I am outta here forever.

I also know that many others that I have spoken to think similarly.

Can the club afford a buffoon like him to decrease our current membership numbers?

I am sure he has some supporters re this rumour but to them I say................go and be a Hawks member.

Just remember Hawthorn could not rid themselves of him quickly enough !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So your distaste of one individual is greater than your love of the club.

Sad really.

Personally I'm in favour of it.

What I find more interesting is the comment on how he would come in with a board of 5.

Too many chiefs at the moment, am a big fan of a smaller board.

What the hell is the evidence of a "shocking culture"

No fitness guru and much of what you say is fair, except this first line. Is it serious?

After reading the thread from the beginning it's interesting to see how it's gone from a fluff article about some positive comments from Robbo to a strong, pro Neeld thread.

Masterstroke by the marketing department.

Just for the record as haven't expressed an opinion on Mark, I really like what he has tried to do, he inherited a club with a shocking culture and has tried to fix it. He's rattled some cages and put noses out of joint.

I want him to coach until round 20, give him the free air Peter Jackson rightfully talked about, if things aren't changed by then, we would have to look at a new coach. I do think though that if we have back to back hidings over the next fortnight, I can't help but wonder if we can afford not to make a change, as we will be bleeding money from the lost gate receipts if things don't turn around soon.

finally some straight answers as much as possible.

neeld still talks in riddles.

I didn't hear him talking in riddles when fronting the members last night, rather straight up, very direct and happy to take and answer questions honestly

I think this is a problem that someone else mentioned. A good coach is across the art as well as the science of football, Neeld and Craig seem a bit too enamoured with the science. Surveys and all are great but in the end you take that in have a look at the situation in front of you and make a decision based on what you think works not some number crunching tells you.

As I said, the surveys were in various categories to do with training, preparation etc, how much a player works to get the best of himself. only 2 of the previous leadership group were in the top 15 at the club.

That tells me just how much our leadership at the time stank. Drastic changes needed to be made. Neeld talked about how nervous he was choosing these two and recalled having a conversation with Nathan Buckley who was considering Pendels as captain but wasn't sure he was experienced enough and how Neeld mentioned he had no problems compared to him, as Neeld was looking at co-captains with less than 60 games of experience. I didn't get the impression it was a decision taken lightly or decided by the numbers, but rather a decision forced upon them as they realised that they had to take drastic steps as the leadership there was not leading as they should.

A good night, thanks to OPSM for the facilities, they were great hosts. Jones was a bit late, traffic was horrendous in the average weather last night.

So started off with Robbo questioning Neeld and then Craig. Inexperience was obviously a topic covered by Neeld, Trengove and Grimes being captains came up (and was quizzed again in questions), Neeld explained how last years preseason, they had a number of categories relating to elite preparation and all players and coaches rated the players from 1-7, this exercise found the two Jacks head and shoulders above everyone else. It also found only 2 of the previous years leadership group to be in the top 15. This year, after the Darwin camp (maybe in it), the exercise was done again, the two Jacks again clearly up the top, but gap was much smaller to others, with Jones third in rankings.

Neeld also spoke of how he had been given specific directives when he got the job about changes to be made (took this to mean mainly cultural type issues) and how he has gone about making such changes and seems happy with how he is doing this. It is the first time I have heard him speak about such a mandate for change and he says he was under no illusions as to just how hard the task would be.

Craig talked a bit about his role before the first question. This was to Mark and about the older players bought into the club, how Rodhan wasn't recruited to play week by week, but to fill holes when kids needed a rest and for his influence around the club, Byrnes to bring his Geelong experience and help lead around the club, Sellar bought up by Craig, quizzed on Pedo by questioner and how seemingly little done at Casey, 49 marks and 25 marks in defence last 2 games was Neelds reaction.

The next question was from a feisty bloke who really got stuck into Neeld about his continual use of the word "inexperience" and for making 2 obviously very young and "inexperienced" players as co-captains. Neeld had only just started answering before the guy decided to continue on. Mark again talked about the process of selecting captains and where our players are at, talking about the implications of having so few games into our players and how inexperience does not mean they lack talent and how in his opinion GWS and the Suns are the most talented lists.

Jonesy had arrived and talked about his football experiences so far and Craig recalled his interview with Nathan in 2005 and how he had hoped to draft him to Adelaide.

I got the next question in and asked Neeld what he wishes he had done differently (the others had covered what I had planned to ask), his response was pretty much nothing, how he'd been given a job to do and was doing it. I followed it up with mentioning that at training before Freo he was much more active than I had ever seen before, he said he hadn't noticed it.

Peter then let Nathan know that despite the criticism, the bulk of supporters were right behind the boys, something I backed up to Nathan after the presentations.

There were a couple more questions I have forgotten the bulk of, though they talked about how they try and stop other teams when they get a run on. The final question was about how Nathan is handling being tagged this year, something he has hardly experienced before but has happened a lot this year. He mentioned how he investigates the opponent he is expecting to be tagged by, watching footage of them and watching footage of other players who have been tagged by said player to get some ideas on what they did differently to beat the tag.

Afterwards, had a quick chat with Neeld, asking about Sam Blease, who I'm a fan of, he mentioned that while devastating in attack, that Sam needs to continue to improve his defensive efforts and how he is hoping Sam plays in at least 8 of our remaining games, though probably not till after the bye.

I then asked Jonesy to show me the tatt of his Grandfather, as my bro had told me its great and he wasn't exaggerating. We had a chat about training and how it is frustrating that what they are doing on the track is not really showing itself in games.

That about covers it as best as I can recall. Thanks again to OPSM and the club, was an enjoyable night.

A good night, thanks to OPSM for the facilities, they were great hosts. Jones was a bit late, traffic was horrendous in the average weather last night.

So started off with Robbo questioning Neeld and then Craig. Inexperience was obviously a topic covered by Neeld, Trengove and Grimes being captains came up (and was quizzed again in questions), Neeld explained how last years preseason, they had a number of categories relating to elite preparation and all players and coaches rated the players from 1-7, this exercise found the two Jacks head and shoulders above everyone else. It also found only 2 of the previous years leadership group to be in the top 15. This year, after the Darwin camp (maybe in it), the exercise was done again, the two Jacks again clearly up the top, but gap was much smaller to others, with Jones third in rankings.

Neeld also spoke of how he had been given specific directives when he got the job about changes to be made (took this to mean mainly cultural type issues) and how he has gone about making such changes and seems happy with how he is doing this. It is the first time I have heard him speak about such a mandate for change and he says he was under no illusions as to just how hard the task would be.

Craig talked a bit about his role before the first question. This was to Mark and about the older players bought into the club, how Rodhan wasn't recruited to play week by week, but to fill holes when kids needed a rest and for his influence around the club, Byrnes to bring his Geelong experience and help lead around the club, Sellar bought up by Craig, quizzed on Pedo by questioner and how seemingly little done at Casey, 49 marks and 25 marks in defence last 2 games was Neelds reaction.

The next question was from a feisty bloke who really got stuck into Neeld about his continual use of the word "inexperience" and for making 2 obviously very young and "inexperienced" players as co-captains. Neeld had only just started answering before the guy decided to continue on. Mark again talked about the process of selecting captains and where our players are at, talking about the implications of having so few games into our players and how inexperience does not mean they lack talent and how in his opinion GWS and the Suns are the most talented lists.

Jonesy had arrived and talked about his football experiences so far and Craig recalled his interview with Nathan in 2005 and how he had hoped to draft him to Adelaide.

I got the next question in and asked Neeld what he wishes he had done differently (the others had covered what I had planned to ask), his response was pretty much nothing, how he'd been given a job to do and was doing it. I followed it up with mentioning that at training before Freo he was much more active than I had ever seen before, he said he hadn't noticed it.

Peter then let Nathan know that despite the criticism, the bulk of supporters were right behind the boys, something I backed up to Nathan after the presentations.

There were a couple more questions I have forgotten the bulk of, though they talked about how they try and stop other teams when they get a run on. The final question was about how Nathan is handling being tagged this year, something he has hardly experienced before but has happened a lot this year. He mentioned how he investigates the opponent he is expecting to be tagged by, watching footage of them and watching footage of other players who have been tagged by said player to get some ideas on what they did differently to beat the tag.

Afterwards, had a quick chat with Neeld, asking about Sam Blease, who I'm a fan of, he mentioned that while devastating in attack, that Sam needs to continue to improve his defensive efforts and how he is hoping Sam plays in at least 8 of our remaining games, though probably not till after the bye.

I then asked Jonesy to show me the tatt of his Grandfather, as my bro had told me its great and he wasn't exaggerating. We had a chat about training and how it is frustrating that what they are doing on the track is not really showing itself in games.

That about covers it as best as I can recall. Thanks again to OPSM and the club, was an enjoyable night.

Miserable day here in Melbourne and rain has put me off dropping in on training today.

Some much happiness in that post thanks RG! 1. That Nicholson is in the Casey group means we likely won't see him this week. 2. I've been waiting for even asked the club twitter for Neeld to get involved in training more. I thought there was a degree of mixed messages sent by Craig and the assistants largely running training sessions and then you get to game day and Neeld is addressing the players. I'm all for delegation but he's the boss and I think he'll get more respect from the players by being out there

Sorry to disappoint, Nicho with main group.

Wasn't clear in my post sorry, it was main group doing end to end stuff while Casey group on rugby oval

Also got down to training, about where our correspondent was leaving, or just before.

With the Casey players on the rugby field, the team practiced kick outs and clearing from deep in defence. Moved the ball well, end to end with out the opposition touching the ball except when Nicho hit one of them in the chest. That said, the opposition was 2 or 3 of the coaches, so there was no pressure at all.

They did various other drills, things we have done before. I noticed Neeld is definitely doing things differently, having probably been to over 10 sessions this year, and found him to be more involved and addressing groups more than I have seen in probably the rest of the sessions combined

Dare I say, a new coach...

Seriously, don't know if I want to see any of the game. Time to check Casey's fixture

Did anyone else see that incident in the fourth quarter? I think it was Dustin Martin? Knocked Dunny to the ground. Three umpires standing RIGHT THERE, not even a word said. I had to remember last week, when a GC player got knocked the ground, got a free kick and got a goal. Not that giving us a free in the defensive goal square would have helped, but fair is fair. And what are the umpires there for if it isn't to make sure the game is fair? Three of them, all managed to 'not see'. Should have gone to Spec Savers.

Must have been a real hard knock to make Dunn go down..... The guy has form

Are you for real?

Offer the man a 1.5 million dollar 7 year deal.

Won't get another chance like this in a long time.

I hope that this is actually being discussed at HQ.

Would be great insurance if Hogan gets injured.

Give GCS (and their puppet masters) the middle finger, get Prestia with the first pick in the PSD, which we will probably have then jump for joy!

Well given that there's a bye in there as well, doesn't that mean he's out for at least 8 weeks from now anyway?

Good question.

I have no idea if the bye is taken into account or not.

It's bad news on Grimes though. He's out for another 8 weeks as I think that's the minimum for LTI unless there is some transfer arrangement for the mid season promotion.

Not necessarily, it's why they put him one the LTI list last week. He's out for another 7

But that is not the inference on here. Those that want the AFL to save us from ourselves would not expect that to involve a majority of the curent board.

But I am here to tell people that that is what is expected from the few I have spoken to 'in the know'. A few additions, a few subtractions, an we move into 2014.

So those 'in the know' have already decided for us what changes will be made to the board already??

Wonderful, a new thread on a topic we haven't discussed

He has shown more than enough to be in the firsts as a forward and can't get a crack. Mind boggling really.... (along with upgrading Magner)

He has only played 3 games so far this year and while I have been impressed with what I have seen and was hoping he would play last week, I can understand and agree with not playing him as it was effectively a choice between him and Max. If later in the season Jamar is injured or out of form, I would love to see Max as the first ruck and Fitzy as his back up playing forward.

I want an explanation as to why Magner was not upgraded and played last week, or this week.

I am expecting Magner to be upgraded today and to play against Richmond, I know he is hopeful

No and No. We need good kicks down back.

I feel as a dees supporters we are investing in someone here who is not going to make it. He had the worst skills of any recruit I've seen since Steve O'Dwyer, and although he has obviously improved, its probably a sign that whilst he is getting in the bests at Casey, he still is not getting games for Melbourne when we had no talls up forward.

I'm happy to develop players at Casey for a few years, as it it works for the Geelongs in the comp, but I can't see it happening with Jack.

Happy for others to argue their case.

Can't see Fitzy playing CHB, but can see him having a decent career, hopefully with us.

He has had an interrupted preseason so has been left at Casey to get his match fitness up - I find it hard to believe either Gawn or Fitzy have the match fitness to play a full game as number 1 ruck due to their preseasons, so ATM it's Fitzy or Gawn, Gawn having played more games this year and has done well in the seniors, so Fitzy just needs to keep working and continuing to do well at Casey. From the Casey games I have seen, I thought his field kicking has been good, am nervous about his set shots but he has been accurate in the two games I have seen him play.

Fitzy is a forward and second ruck IMO and as such I worry about where he will fit in with Hogan, Clark, Dawes and at times Howe and Watts forward, so while I think he will have a decent AFL career, I fear that it won't be with us.

Good on him for saying it as it is. If it gets noses out of joints, tough.

"That sort of effort shouldn't need to be coached, and the fact that this week it does need to be coached is an indictment of the playing group"

Well said Chris.

For the morons calling this piece fluff, thank for reminding me of why I ignore you!

Can anyone list the current board members?

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/the-club/people/board-members