timD

DFTT

We don't have to do quite that much. Everything revolves around the midfield. All our eggs need to be in that basket. So, trade out Moloney, Sylvia and Jamar. Use any NQRs if wanted. Target one established mid with a bit of age and character. Get the rest of the draft aimed at mids. All we need is one gun. They are hard to find, but I'm convinced that is all we need. See if GCS would part with one of their youngsters for player +.

I don't think that arguing that Neeld is using a game plan that has not evolved at all since Norm Smith is a credible argument. It defies belief that, after decades of coaching experience at different levels, including coaching the 'pies midfield, Neeld has come to melbourne and thought that the gameplan that will work best is to not run and create. Instead he has gone back to a plan that is largely unchanged from that evident at our club 50 years ago. He is ignoring any trends that have existed in footy and all he has got is "hug the boundary and bomb to the forward"? There is a press conference somewhere where Neeld talks about "possession chains" and being pleased at being able to talk about them. That one example really screws the "his game plan is one thing only" argument. Furthermore, the kind of mental limitation and inflexibility implied in your argument would have impeded his trip from coach of ocean grove to midfield coach at a premiership winning team. While it is possible, I think it is pretty unlikely.

You a re right about the "absolute joke" part, but just a bit off in terms of where to look to find it. To begin, find a mirror...

Great post Paul.

Jordie McKensie does a damn sight more with a damn sight less. Ben is right on the money. What is the difference between Morton and Watts - Morton is showing a capacity to change; Watts is yet to.

Really? You responded to someone else. Well, I guess that was exactly what this thread needed. Responding makes anything you say AOK with me. Rob. Thanks for taking the time. Hey, there is a thread about walls and dermie and I reckon it would benefit too from a mention about what you think about Cook and Darling. Don't worry about the 'responding' pretense - we both know that is a wafer thin excuse at its best. Just so I'm clear, what do you think about not picking up Darling?

I didn't know your position on Darling, RobbieF, so I'm glad that you took the time to come into a completely clean thread and improve it with your opinion. Thanks. Now, why don't you continue this in other clean threads so that you can ensure that no-one misses out on hearing about what you think. A community service, indeed.

Many people have that fear. It's one that I fevently hope to experience at a significant intensity.

Ditto

Huge effort last night. Just huge.

Deplorable? A 6 gamer vs reiwolt and you reckon it was deplorable? do you open you eyes when you watch the game? Tom kept up with him, got lost only a few times, was not out-bodied and was not blown up on the run. He grew in confidence across the game. Seriously...

Guys, everybody knows we will take Viney. For GWS to worry, they'd need some doubt. They also have lots of talent already. They'd get viney - a tought kid that we'd put 2 years into. They'd still do alright. There is very little risk for them and a relatively larger risk for us. There is no doubt and for them little to lose. Billy, I think that you are completely wrong with how you balance these issues. The other issue is urgency. We need to find talent fast because we risk having a black hole of leadership/experience. We are already on the way. I can easily imagine a scenario where scully leaving is typical: we get draft picks, they show a bit and leave because the club loses all the time and have no experienced role models that are any good. WE become an incubator for other teams. Hell, we are just about there now.

someone get robbie a dictionary so that 'certainty' can be explained. Robbie, words are used for a reason. most often because they mean something/s.

I respect that.

that's not funny

And you, where the hell is the webjet reference. Standards, Jose, standards.

My father came from SA and followed Melbourne after barracking for norwood over there. He was raised in a family that barracked for collingwood. All three boys (i.e., my brothers and I) barrack for the Dees. Our kids barrack for the dees. They have no say. I'm not going to suffer alone. All you do is try to make it fun. Try to engage them in Dees stuff away from the game. Make is about 'us'. When we start winning, and we will, then it will just cement the loyalty.

lolz? you mean lulz and if you knew that you were typing, you'd apologise for being unable to understand the words you use and disappear. Yes son, that's a hint

No it was not. HE knows.

Stuie, go get help. Lots of it sunshine. As if anyone gives a stuff about you moaning. Get it into your head: No one cares.

They are getting murdered when they don't have the ball. Their use is fumbly and ineffective when they do have it. It is a straight-up class-around-the-pill issue. It isn't the game plan or the fitness or anyting else. It is that we cannot use the ball and we are not playing a smart midfield game generally.

Listen hear you little short-stepper, I walked away feeling sick but at least I have some sense as to why the team is playing badly and what improvements were evident. i have no need to read you sook. No-one give a rat's about you whining like a spoilt twerp. Get over yourself. Or perhaps you and osilik and old dee and can form a depressed dee member support group. HTFU

Good work stuie. Gutsy. Brave. Far-sighted. Microwave your membership, cry in the corner. Poor darling.

I don't think that the game plan is crap. We got slaughtered in the centre of the ground. Last year we would compesate by playing a man back and winning the ball of half back. Now we do that late, if at all. This exposes a midfield that cannto win its own ball. The old plan worked well if we did win the midfield or if we could sweep effectively. Neeld's plan forces us to win the footy and then use it well. Where we cannot, we will look terrible. Truth is, patching over these flaws is a fool's renovation that we be found out - as it was over and over - against hard teams. Our mids are too slow and lack poise and clean skills. If the engine room breaks down, you haven't got much to play with. One positive was the contested marking. now THAT is gold in finals. WE have players who can do taht. Watts was the best I have seen hin in this department. Now all we need are three mids. Maybe Blease and gysberts and viney...we just need three.