Craig Drinker

Thinking outside the box which I've got to admire. However, a bit too disruptive and a bit unethical which would could affect our future business dealings.

Agree! Jeff certainly fits neither category. Subservient minion or AFL friendly.

Okay, he may be backing someone then. I just don't think it will be Jeff and I certainly won't be voting for him. I believe we need an AFL friendly President at this point in time in order to move forward quickly.

Nice work on the report, much appreciated!! Do you think that this now means curtains for our current list management guy? As you seem pretty well informed, what changes are you expecting?

I personally don't think Jeff will run on a ticket , but Neil Mitchell. Maybe????

I got a feeling Neil Mitchell might have had a bit of a hand in this.Maybe agitating the board a little. I can't see this happening with Jeff, but seems another ticket is possibly mobilising in the background according to Robbo and Gerard on AFL 360. Also it seems that McLardy is going to give members a bit of a heads up as to what is progressing before the game against the Pies. Will be interesting to see what he has to say.

Watch your mouth when you have NFI what you are talking about!!

I think that we will end up with an AFL friendly Football Dept manager.Having said that I don't know what available candidates who would fit into that criteria? The choice of candidate may reveal the path we are heading down in regards to how big a say the AFL are having in our revival!

You're right! I remember them troubling us last time and eventually running over the top of us!

Does anyone think we are a realistic chance against the bye following the Magpies game?

The most encouraging thing we have going for us (imo) is that we seem to have the AFL on board at the moment.In a perfect world this is not an ideal situation having 'Big Brother'watching you because they can't trust that you wont keep stuffing things up. At this point, in the situation we currently see ourselves in, I see this as a good thing.I believe Peter Jackson(as others do) is an AFL appointment who will regularly be reporting back to the AFL on the state of affairs at Melbourne. Football people unaligned to Melbourne's past will be able to look objectively at the best way for the club to move forward.The AFL will assist with Melbourne's rebuild because it is in the best interest of the competition to have a thriving and successful Melbourne Football Club. I will be very interested in the Football Department head appointment.I think this may tell us something re AFL involvement. I have no idea who it might be?

I would expect some sort of announcement of change today, whatever that might be. Maybe McLardy gone as he really didn't want the Preisident gig in the first place and took over to give Jimmy a chop out. I think the club will be keen to sell some sort of hope to it's members and supporters prior to the Queen's Birthday game.

Is that the Brad Miller room?

Yeah, but our jumper is far superior to the Hawthorn jumper and that's all that matters!

Silence from the club is deafening at the moment. If there are no announcements next week for whatever reason then the whole PR department needs to be sacked. Supporters and sponsors need some sort of hope going forward.

Okay so I've had a couple at the local whilst watching the game but I'm trying to remain positive. Firstly, this may be the thrashing that needed to be had. Board meeting Monday, maybe some changes to follow. I actually think we have some decent players emerging. I am liking Terlich, Evans, M.Jones, Fitzpatrick and others. Some good boys at Casey also! Howie is a very impressive player.N. Jones, make up your own mind and I would be devastated if we lost Watts. I'm a big Watts fan under the correct environment. I would think a propective experienced coach from the outside looking in would find the melbourne coaching gig reasonably attractive. The big concern for a prospective coach would be the administration. Unfortunately for Mark Neeld it just isn't working or likely to ever work. He needs to be cut loose and at least he won't be financially disadvantaged.He had a crack, stood by his principles/visions and was his own man. Credit to you Mark! I believe the MFC need to act quickly and make some important decisions for the future in a very short space of time! My opinion.

A couple of observations from Sandy (I was there to watch my nephew go around in the development squad): A few people I spotted: Paul Gardiner, Choco Royal, Col Garland. Hogan took a terrific contested mark in the 1st quarter and is a very strong kid! Will be immovable in a couple years. Blease kicked a belter of a goal from near the boundary in the 2nd. Regardless of whether he played a good game or not Jimmy Toumpas makes very good position as an outside mid.Will prove a good choice in time. Magner shouldn't have been dropped. Casey seem to be well coached.

Magnificent! Take a bow!!

Didn't see that coming!

My feeling based on nothing other than a gut feel is that the game against the Hawks will be Neeld's last in charge of the MFC unless: We beat the Hawks or make a reasonable fist of it. There is a board meeting Monday. I would love to know what is on the Agenda (possibly structural change?) What do you think will be on the agenda?

A little reality, but a lot of sensationalism/scare mongering in Jon Ralph's Herald Sun article. The sky is not currently falling!!

Jimmy Toumpas not on your list?

I don't believe the list is that bad. It appears that way because for whatever reason they are not responding to the current coaching group. I personally think the only way forward is with some coaching changes.We need someone who the players, understand and are respond to. The chemistry just isn't right at the moment.

I suffered through most of the match telecast which wasn't nearly as painful once I turned the sound down. Dwayne Russell was doing my head in!! Never offers anything constructive just seems to delight in bagging Melbourne for some perverse reason. Takes a lot of courage to belt someone when they are down!

Would prefer the 'hard ball' gets (getting in first for the ball) to be a priority over the tackle count.