Nasher

I'll be file, HT and JCB can be rank

Good. Mood of the members is a very important thing to gauge. That's got absolutely nothing to do with making critical football department decisions though. If it did, we'd have drafted Serhat Temel last year.

If that is true then I believe we should all loudly post a MASS Popular Opinion that they should all quit their jobs and make way for someone competent. Their job is to do what is best for the club, not what noisy members demand.

6 whole games! Wow, he sure showed us all! I can't see how Meesen as a player could be assessed as anything other than an abject failure. Injuries notwithstanding he showed next to nothing as a player at either club. With that said, I don't agree that that has any bearing on his ability to coach though. Being able to critically analyse physical techniques is a completely different skill than applying those techniques yourself. If he really does have an eye for coaching then best of luck to him.

Hale takes the spot PJ occupied for eight games this season. For the remainder it doesn't have to be one of the tall forwards that falls out, as Hale should be behind them in forward merit anyway.

I'm having a hard time making the connection between playing on in the goal square and the shape of the ball.

Got to take your hat off to the guy I think. One of the few coaches that goes out truly on his own terms. Even Matthews and Sheedy had to 'quit' because the writing was on the wall.

Agreed. He gets a lot of love on all the MFC forums, and I just can't see why. At AFL level he has no real strengths (oh sorry, except "a bit of mongrel") and doesn't have a position with his name on it. I understand the logic in the two year contract he was given, but I think it was for naught. Won't make it.

Yes, you would. Until the names become public*, any futher posts naming names or giving clues will be deleted. No, I'm not going to issue any PM's and I'm not interested in discussing it further. *Definition of public is fairly fluid, so we (mods) will use our discretion, but no, BigFooty does not count as public.

It was horse crap to begin with.

Shane is off to work under Voss at Brisbane.

Tas, NSW, SA, ACT. On the topic, doesn't feel like GF day to me either.

In what capacity? 'Director of coaching'? Past his used by date IMO.

It was entirely unexpected from my POV.

Measured against what baseline?

Absolutely nailed it.

Reckon Fidge and H just about have it covered, but I'll add my take anyway. Director of Coaching is the job you give experienced, successful coaches when you want to have their name on your payroll for publicity purposes, but don't actually want them as your coach.

Bail asked for 44 when Valenti went (Bail was 41 in '09), so it must have some meaning to him.

Totally agree; and assistant coaches come and go like the wind. Plenty more fish in the sea.

What you have prescribed there is Paul Johnson - he is a second rate ruckman, why couldn't he fill the spot for a couple of years? Answer: Because he's useless as a forward. I agree with old that we need a second ruck, but the most important factor is that he offers something as a forward (i.e. a ruck/forward). "Not completely incompetent" is my only requirement for him when he's in the ruck.

I'd prefer PJ over Cloke as a last resort.

He might indeed be the Messiah, but if I were an Essendon fan I would be crapping myself. There doesn't seem to be a lot of science in this decision.

Could it be that the 'doubters' have changed their minds? This happens y'know, when the information at hand changes. There were very legitimate reasons to question his role this time last year.

I have absolutely no love for either side, but I just feel totally shattered with that result - simply because I know that if it was us in that situation I would not be able to cope with having to go through it all again next week. Supporters and players alike throw it all on the line for the grand final, so with every ounce of physical, mental and emotional energy now depleted, they all have to go and find a lot more. Awful feeling. I know that as a neutral I certainly can't be stuffed going through it all again next week!

And this guy: