MadAsHell

My ideal line up heading into 2014: Geoff Freeman - President, New to the board and comes from a good background. Word is he already has this role waiting for him. John Northey – Senior Coach, Come in on a 3 year deal and to hand the reigns over after that time. Has done the hard yards before and capable of doing it again, still involved in the game. Is experienced and would be a lot cheaper then other experienced coaches. Todd Viney – General Manager - List Management, Change of roles for Todd, is an experienced football man and I thik would fot this role well. Nathan Bassett - General Manager - Player Development & Strategy, Big wraps on Bassett coming out of the SANFL and we need to secure him. Known for his ability to get the best out of players and I'd have him in contention to take over from Northey in a hand over. Neil Craig - Director Of Sports Performance & Football Manager, Now I'm not privy to the job descriptions of both Craig & Mahoney but I'd of thought they could be intergrated into the one role, in which case Craig would be the ideal candidate. If not then Craig could stay in his current role and the club should move heaven and earth to try and land one of Balme or Daniher in the role of Football Manager. Jade Rawlings – Backline Coach, Can stay in his role. Has a contract for next year so anywhere we can save money we should. Leigh Tudor - Midfield Coach, This guys had success everywhere he's gone, we should chase him big time with the view to being in line to take over from Northey in a hand over at the end of Swoopers reign. Will have to fight it out with Bassett and the forward line coach of course. Peter Sumich – Forward Line Coach, Highly regarded assistant coach who's been in line for several gigs but unable to land one. We should bring him across with the assurance that one of he Tudor or Bassett will get the role once Swooper finishes up. David Misson – Elite Performance Manager, Like Rawlings, can stay. Peter Jackson or Ron Gauci - Chief Executive Officer, Would love Jackson to stay on, but if not Gauci would be a great candidate after all the great work he's done at Storm. A more experienced and strong team there. Wouldn't be easy to land, but it's a team of people that i'd be very confident could lead us out of the current mess that we find ourselves in.

Fact of the matter is you not I know that for a fact. It's purely speculation driven by media beat up because writting that kind of stuff when the teams already down sells papers and gets extra hits online. Don't think the title 'Melbourne loose again but otherwise everything all well' would create to much of a talking point for the rest of the week. Sam Blease was going to leave last year remember? Aarin Davey a few years before that. Not having a go at you Dazzledavey, but I'm getting tired of everyone saying player x wants to walk without anything concrete to back that up.

If by murmurs you mean people on here panicking thinking the sky is falling and that every player with any ounce of talent wants to walk out, then yes there's plenty! I'm pretty confident that the club would have done a fair bit of homework on the type of person Hogan is and the likelihood of him wanting to go back home given the investment they've made giving up such a high draft pick fos someone who couldn't even play this year. I reckon you might find that Hogan, Viney, Toumpas, Kent etc are all pretty determined individuals and they'll be keen to help lead the club out of it's current mess. Anyway he can't just leave without the club agreeing to a trade. I think everyone just needs to take a deep breath....

Source? I haven't seen any quotes from any of our players saying that they want to move on. Plenty of media speculation though..........

Early days, but I expect Rodan, Gillies, Sellar, Joel MacDonald and Tynan to b shown the door at seasons end. Hogan will take one of those spots and I'd expect an experienced free agent to take another spot (Daniel Cross or Adam Selwood is my early pick). That only leaves three spots on the senior list and I'm sure we'll see more then that drafted, so it means a big remaining half of the year for the likes of Taggert, Davis, Fitzpatrick and Davey who are all out of contract. I'm very confident that all of Sylvia, Watts & Gawn will sign new deals. That leaves any other vacant spots on our list to be created by potential trade bait of Nicholson, Bail, Dunn, Spencer, Blease etc if there are any takers.... As for the rookies I don't expect any upgrades and at this early stage would only expect Clisby to be there. Magner & Couch came in for certain roles and I think their job will be up at the end of the year. Wouldn't be suprised if they were replaced with the likes of Myles Sewell and Cockie to fill their voids as of next year.

I certainly want him to stay till the end of the year at the very least. If Peter Jackson (through the board) decide that he needs to go then, well so be it, but they better make sure they have a good replcement. It would be unfair to give this task to another rookie coach like was given to Neeld and Bailey before him. If they were to go down the rookie path they may as well give Neeld his final year.

Agree with a lot of what you've said. I've raised the prospect of taking a leaf out of the Swans books in the early - mid 90's when they got Barassi to fix their problems that we do the same but with Northey. Surround him with the likes of Sumich, Tudor, Bassett etc, any of whom that could take over from swooper in say 3 years time. Doubt it would happen but it would certainly generate a lot of publicity and excitment and if there's a better coach out there of generating an us against them mentality then I'd like to see them! He's a great coach, there's a reason he's coached the most games without a premiership to his name.

To be fair to Brown for me he'd be a victim of circumstances rather then McLardy, Harrington, Royal & Mahoney who's weaknesses are probably more blatant. I wouldn't be against keeping Brown, but if we could land someone like a Sumich in his role I'd be keen to make the move.

Pedersen IN for Sellar - Pedo deserves it after his last few weeks in the VFL. Strauss IN for Nicholson - Should never have been dropped and his disposal although limited is that much better then Nicho's that he only needs half the touches. Fitzpatrick IN for Gawn - Gawn's our future no 1 ruck,but he's not a forward, he's a ruckman. Fitzy on the other hand is a forward who can chop out in the ruck and his form for Casey earns him a call up. Gawn to get some game time as no 1 ruck at Casey. Rodan IN for Bail - Rodan's been in good form for Casey and Bail's been in ordinary form. MacDonald IN for Dunn - Joel's had a few games back now at VFL level and is a better defender then Dunn. FB: Garland, Frawley, Terlich HB: MacDonald, Pedersen, Strauss C: M. Jones, N. Jones, Evans HF: Howe, Watts, Tapscott FF: Fitzpatrick, Dawes, Byrnes FOLL: Jamar, McKenzie, Magner INT: Davey, Jetta, Trengove SUB: Rodan EMERG: Davis, Nicholson, Toumpas Nicholson on standbye in case Terlich doesn't come up. Ideally I'd have Davis come in if any of the key position players are late withdrawls. I'd have no real desire to play Toumpas, but need to have at least 1 midfielder in the emergencies in case there's a few late injuries and there's not to many other midfielders to choose from!

Don McLardy - President: Has to go, the club cetainly needs change from the very top and Don's been in charge during a very bleak time. Change is needed to bring about some form of hope. Mark Neeld – Senior Coach: I'll still give him the rest of this year but at this stage I'd say it's 90-95% chance I'd be bringing in someone else, but only if a succesful experienced coach can be found as his replacement, otherwise if he'd only be replaced by a rookie he may as well get to see out his contract. Tim Harrington – General Manager - List Management: Similar to McLardy, been around for awhile with limited succes. Might be time for a change. Todd Viney - General Manager - Player Development & Strategy: As Peter Jackson has said, we lack a lot of experienced football people around th club and Viney is one of the few we have. I'd be keen to keep Viney but maybe in a different role like Harrington's? I'd love to see Nathan Basset come to the club in Todd's role. Neil Craig - Director Of Sports Performance: See my comments above re: Todd Viney, I reckon Craig would be of better use in Josh Mahoney's role. Josh Mahoney – Football Manager: I think Jackson's comments about inexperienced peopel in roles is directed at Mahoney in particular. Sorry Josh, but time to move on. Jade Rawlings – Backline Coach: Don't know what it is, but there's something about Rawlings I like. Keep. Brian Royal - Midfield Coach: First to go. Need to get a good midfield coach replacement. Would love Leigh Tudor, experienced and has had success everywhere he's gone. Leigh Brown – Forward Line Coach: Sorry Leigh, but you're another of the inexperienced lot who should be moved on. Peter Sumich in this role please! David Misson – Elite Performance Manager: His credentials are to good to cast aside. I'd be in the camp for keeping. So for me it's: KEEP: Rawlings, Misson MOVE INTO DIFFERENT ROLE: Viney, Craig WHO GOES: McLardy, Harrington, Mahoney, Royal, Brown WAIT AND SEE: Neeld

TALL DEFENCES TARGETS Todd Banfield (Bris) Age: 23 Height: 183cm Weight: 83kg Games: 53 Goals: 57 Role: Small forward goal sneak. With Byrnes & Davey both getting on cover is needed in this area. Burst onto the scene but has since fallen out of favour. Could be easily obtained with a late draft pick. Dylan Buckley (Carlton) Age: 20 Height: 179cm Weight: 75kg Games: 1 Goals: 1 Role: See Banfields role, however young Buckley I think in time could have an impact playing further up the ground on a wing. Is currently behing Betts, Garlett & Yarran and after 2 years on the Blues list might be looking for more opportunities. Is lightning quick and knows where the goals are. Again shouldn't cost to dear a price. David Ellard (Carlton) Age: 24 Height: 177cm Weight: 79kg Games: 39 Goals: 22 Role: Another hard running midfielder/forward similar to Evans. In his 5th year on the Blues list now and still yet to cement a senior spot due to the likes of Judd, Murphy, Gibbs, Simpson, Carrazo etc... Is very quick and tough at the contest. Travis Colyer (Essendon) Age: 21 Height: 175cm Weight: 75kg Games: 29 Goals: 17 Role: More midfield depth and a very good player around stoppages and could push the likes of Jetta and Magner on their way. Again is lightning fast and has the versatility to play forward and down back. 4 years at Essendon and still yet to secure a spot in the team. Leroy Jetta (Essendon) Age: 24 Height: 180cm Weight: 78kg Games: 84 Goals: 73 Role: Small/defensive forward and would put the heat on the likes of Davey, Byrnes, Tapscott & Bail. Is in the right age & games played bracket that Neeld goes on about and seems out of favour at Essendon. George Horlin-Smith (Geelong) Age: 20 Height: 186cm Weight: 83cm Games: 9 Goals: 3 Role: Strong bodied midfielder/HFF. Will put the heat on the likes of Taggert to lift if he want to get a game. Yet to cement his spot at Geelong but is starting to get more opportunities. Perhaps the lure of more games and money here could get him across. Not sure how much it would cost at a trade? Daniel Gorringe (Gold Coast) Age: 20 Height: 200cm Weight: 96kg Games: 8 Goals: 2 Role: Another young ruckman/forward on our list is essential. With Jamar near the end, Gawn's injury concerns and Spencer not being up to it IMO, Gorringe would be a great get. Into his 3rd year and is 2nd/3rd in line at GC. Would cost a bit, Would our 2nd round pick and Fitzpatrick be wishful thinking? Probably. Dion Prestia (Gold Coast) Age: 20 Height: 175cm Weight: 81kg Games: 38 Goals: 5 Role: Inside/Outside midfielder who would walk into our 22, the kid is pure class and has alerady been linked to us. Would be a bright spark in dark times. Would probably cost our 1st round pick with other dealings. Mitch Hallahan (Hawthorn) Age: 20 Height: 183cm Weight: 84kg Games: 0 Goals: 0 Role: Strong bodied midfielder who is good around the clearances and I've been impressed with him when I've seen him at VFL level. Has the likes of Mitchell, Sewell, Lewis etc keeping him ou of Hawthorns side. Would cost us a 3rd round pick max, possibly 4th if we can give good enough insentive for him to come across. Oliver Wines (Port Adelaide) Age: 18 Height: 187cm Weight: 89kg Games: 8 Goals: 4 Role: Inside mid, goodbye to Jordie McKenzie as Ollie, Jones and Jack Viney would lead our midfield. Would love Wines to come across but I know it wont happen. Would require us giving up our 1st pick and he probably isn't worth that. David Astbury (Richmond) Age: 22 Height: 195cm Weight: 96kg Games: 24 Goals: 7 Role: With all the concern on this forum about us loosing Chip, Astbury could be a handy security pick up. Can play either end and is still very young. First few games looked like he was going to be very good before some injury concerns. Could be secured very cheaply as he's likely in the firing line over at Punt Road. Tom Mitchell (Sydney) Age: 19 Height: 181cm Weight: 83kg Games: 0 Goals: 0 Role: Classy outside mid could mean the likes of Nicholson would be no more. Yet to debut for the Swans in his 2nd year and was a very highly rated junior. You'd expect is some time from getting a game due to the Swans list. Money/opportunity to get him across? Doubt the Swans would let him go or that he'd even want to. 2nd round pick plus a player may get it doen? Brad Sheppard (West Coast) Age: 22 Height: 186cm Weight: 82kg Games: 36 Goals: 11 Role: Distributer off half back, the role we've been waiting for Strauss to make his own but is yet to. Like many on this list is yet to cement a spot in West Coast's 22. Possibly a straight swap for Strauss and a late pick?

As has been mentioned, I think Watts is to important to the club to let go. Loosing another No 1 Pick isn't a great look. The fact that Jack isn't a free agent leaves us in a decent position to retain him anyway. I wouldn't be suprised if he signs a Tippet type deal in that we sign him for 3 years (up till he's a restricted free agent) and if he wants to walk after that we'll let him. I'm also confident Sylvia will stay (very loyal bloke), Gawn will stay (don't even know where this rumor came from, and I reckon he thinks he owes the club) and we don't really have to worry about Chip for another 12 months, so not loosing any sleep there. Some may say I have my head in the sand, but I'm not concerned at all. These poor excuse for journos have to sell papers some how and we're an easy target!

Sylvia, Watts, Frawley and Gawn have all just finished going up to Neeld one at a time and demanding a trade at seasons end, apart from Sylvia who said he'll walk) as they've told Neeld they have no confidence in him....... I kid!

IN: Byrnes (if fit), Blease, Watts (if fit and to play forward!) OUT: McKenzie, Nicholson, Toumpas (inj) FB: Garland, Frawley, Terlich HB: Dunn, Sellar, Strauss C: Evans, N. Jones, Bail HF: Howe, Watts, Tapscott FF: Gawn, Dawes, Byrnes FOLL: Jamar, Trengove, Magner INT: Blease, Davey, M. Jones SUB: Jetta EMERG: McKenzie, Nicholson. Pedersen McKenzie & Nicho out for me due to their less then impressive performances last weekend, however I'd still take them over as emergencies due to Nicho's run and McKenzie being one of the few inside mids on our list in case there's a late injury forced change. Time to stick Watts forward and Trengove in the middle where we drafted them both for. With Freo's injuries there's no reason why we shouldn't be able to give them a fight for their money. Lets go Dees!

Agree with The Master here, I don't see Gold Coast's need for him as badly as say St Kilda. As jman has pointed out it appears that Harry Taylor will be on the move, but to the west, meaning there's a good chance that Mitch Brown who St Kilda have been targetting will be caught up in that trade meaning St Kilda may re-focus their efforts onto Chip. Frawley's a must keep for me and hope we re-sign him for another 3 or 4 years. But worst case scenario the only reasonable trade I could see coming from that move would be: Frawley & one of our late picks to St Kilda Saints first round pick to Gold Coast & Seb Ross to Dees Gold Coast trade Prestia to Melbourne Gives us two good young mids who have had a few years in the system. I'd prefer to keep Chip however. Let me stress that! Edit: Spelling

If I may play devils advocate it just seems a little coincidental to me that this rumor comes out a couple days after Melbourne make enquiries to extend Col's contract. Sounds like the classic case of Col's own manager putting this rumor out there to increase his clients income. And as has been stated, Col's a very loyal person to the Dees and I for one would be suprised if he walked.

Here we go again. As has been discussed on several different threads, Byrnes has come to the club for just as much if not more his off field influence and leadership as much as his on-field due to our severe lack of senior players. Any games that Byrnes (or Rodan) play should be seen purely as a bonus. Byrnes has played a role as far as forward pressure goes and we do lack small forwards. I expect Kent to push for Byrnes spot in the team as early as next season. But Byrnes influence can't be measured on stats alone. I would be suprised if he didn't come into the 22 next week.

Nicholson, that's easy enough, Blease will replace him once he's pulled his finger out and re-discovers the form he showed late last year. I also think Toumpas would be good off half back and also watch out for Clisby on the rookie list who's shown some nice signs IMO. McKenzie is our best tagger but needs to be replaced with someone who can cover the ground better and get the ball ans hurt their opponent the other way if they're not accountable. I always thought Bail could fill this role, however his forms been concerning. I reckon Matt Jones is another who could fill it, certainly has the work rate for it. Otherwise in the off-season I could see us chasing Adam Selwood or Farren Ray to cover the role on a temporary basis.

If you're talking about last year then no they didn't finish below us. In fact they've only finished below us twice in the last 6 years.

Back in 2011 my expectations were to push for finals (probably not make it) and to be competative and have no more blow outs. What happened in Geelong that year was totally unaceptable and I don't begrudge the club for sacking Bailey and they should have sacked Schwab then also. Since that time we've learnt that Bailey let the players call the shots, didn't push them enough and there was a divide between players and admin. Whether Neeld is the right man or not remains to be seen (looking at this point in time that he isn't). But no one can tell me that he hasn't been given the most difficult job in footy in re-shaping a club culture and setting new standards where players have gotten away with to much for to long. There was always going to be collateral damage, it just seems that there's been a lot more then anyone expected. eg. Loosing the amount of senior players we did and the blow outs that are taking place. We have only 14 players on our list that have played 50 games or more and only 8 that have played over 100, none of those having got to 200. Those 8 players are Rodan (won't be there next year), Davey (same as Rodan you'd think), Sylvia, N. Jones, MacDonald (see Rodan), Frawley, Byrnes, Dunn. The point of this is although we shouldn't be loosing by the amounts that we are, until we get more games into the likes of Viney, Toumpas, Hogan, Evans, Kent, Evans, Blease, McDonald, Tapscott etc then we can't expect to win to many. Throw into that mix the names Gawn. Howe, Trengove, Grimes, Garland, Taggert, Clark, Dawes, Watts, none of which have played 100 games and I see a very reasonable base, unfortunatly it's very inexperienced. That's why IMO if we can keep the group together along with our required experienced players (like Sylvia), throw in a Prestia, 1 or two quality mids through FA and this years draft and that's where I see the improvement coming from. Whether Neeld's the right man for the job or not I don't know, but the talent is there, it's just which coach can light the fuse. As mentioned I don't think Rodan will be there next year, nor Gillies. Pedersen I don't agree with a 3 year deal, but as I said in his thread I reckon he'll simply be a depth player in case Frawley or McDonald go down for the next two years while we draft another young tall and allow them 2 years to develop at Casey. So all I can say is expect 1 or 2 more senior recruits at seasons end to provide some experience and leadership to the player group and that will be whether Neeld's there or not. And if we can't get stars then they'll probably look at the likes of Adam Selwood, Farren Ray etc. You may not like it, but it's where we're at. Doesn't mean that once our young core have got some games into them that the improvement won't come quick though.

Disagree and agree at the same time. They have much more established talent then we do at the moment, but we've got a heap of un-tapped talent. I don't want to use that dirty P word!

I'm not by any stretch suggesting he's best 22. I'm saying he'll be handy depth down back for Frawley & McDonald if either were to be injured while we develop another young tall defender as I suspect both Sellar & Davis will be gone at seasons end. I agree he's certainly struggled so far this year. http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2013-04-08/round-1-vfl-player-review I'm led to believe he played down back in the VFL often before he was drafted to North Melbourne.

I think Pedersen will be a handy back up backman from next year onwards for Frawley & McDonald as there's a good chance both Sellar & Davis will be gone. Gives 2 years for another young tall to develop at Casey I guess?

He's an intelligent bloke Mahoney. Know him through a friend but never get any good info out of him. But your right, it's a bloody big role for someone as inexperienced as he is.

I'm on the record in another thread as saying I reckon we could be back in the finals as early as 2015 if we can keep this group together. The big question for me is if Neeld can last that long?