Japaljarri

Had the fortune to meet him on several occasions while he was Coach of MFC. He was an absolutely terrific person, who cared very deeply about his players. From the little l saw they regarded him with real affection for his 'father-figure' role in attempting to 'grow them up' as young players and more importantly as men. He also seemed to have an excellent wry humour, which most of all showed that he did not take himself too seriously. He also seemed to understand the power of football in these (and other) young men's lives and the positive role it could play in society. He was a fine, humble and genuine man. A real loss to the footy community.

If you read the press at the time Ablett was only rated late first round, early second round. Scarlett was rated much later than that.

l'm not sure why people are separating 'the club' from 'the doctor'. He is a club employee and the the club will be held accountable for anything he has done wrong. As per the recent $500,000 fine due to 'club employees'. l also think it is incredibly naive to think that only the Doctor was aware of the extent of this relationship. He was clearly acting as a consultant to the club. He was providing services to the club. This is the heart of the matter, not whether he is strictly judged as an employee or not. As per others dishonest leadership at best from the club. Why not state, at least privately to the AFL (which clearly didn't happen judging by the recent statements from the AFL) of the nature and extent of the Dank relationship. Exhibit Z of the off-field cultural and leadership problems that have permeated at the club in recent years. Hopefully Peter Jackson is good with a broom.

Really good and level post l reckon. Would only add the significance of the Andrews report an independent report that encouraged people to express their honest views about issues and the best way forwards. Which was then shelved because people didn't like the answers. There's been smoke pouring out of the club ever since then. The week/s just before 186... The club has been fragmented ever since then. Hopefully everyone can start to come back together and move forwards. Improving performance will take a long time but it wasn't possible with such discord within the club from the last few years.

l'm not interested in commenting on or about Liam other than to say he has always deeply loved playing for Melbourne footy club, bringing its supporters joy and playing with his 'brothers'. Unfortunately this has obviously been a year from hell for him. His own health and wellbeing is more important than anything of course, even AFL footy! Being with family right now is the best thing for that. But l do want to respond to the suggestion earlier in the thread re. Rudeboy as someone who lives in Yuendumu and who knows Liam and Rudeboy well. Rudeboy has spent literally thousands of hours working to support his friend Liam to return to play with Melbourne this year. Let alone before this year in helping to make it happen with Liam and Melbourne in the first place. Melbourne Football club officials themselves would be the first to confirm this, as they have had constant contact and joint efforts with Rudeboy this year in supporting Liam, most especially through Craig Lees. They should both be commended for their unerring efforts in supporting Liam through his nightmare of a year. l know Liam does. The idea that Rudeboy has done anything other than support Liam to returning to try play with Melbourne throughout the year (as Liams clearly expressed desire) would be highly offensive if it wasn't so laughable.

Would be interested to know if this could be confirmed as had not heard this before. Matthews was certainly a full member of the Adelaide selection panel during this same period.

Not bothering to buy into the broader issues, it is simply too early to judge Neeld although no one can be encouraged by 0-8 etc etc. However just on a more specific point of process surely this can't be true?! Not from first interview to appointment? Melbourne hired Neeld three days after interviewing him, but McLardy stands by his club’s decision. Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/dees-chief-defends-coaching-appointment-20120522-1z284.html#ixzz1vaw0Ll6J

From the prosecutor which may be of interest http://www.theaustra...y-1226359362953 Mr Robson told the court alcohol may have been a factor among some of the witnesses, as many people allegedly present at the dispute had been drinking. "To be fair, there is some disparity in the oral evidence in terms of who did what," he said. Counsel for Jurrah, John McBride, said identification may be an issue in the case.

Neeld. Due to the inability to land the other big fish. Viney just lost to Port and Richmond and just beat GC, surely one of the gun Assistant Coaches out there (Neeld, Richardson, Sanderson) is likely to win out in any objective process?

Understand having a crack but 0 chance. The guy loves Hawthorn, is deeply committed to the playing group and is in the middle of a serious premiership window. His $ value is going up at Hawthorn this year, he is more than happy to wait for a better contract than he would have got at the start of the year.

As others have said both clubs would be really happy l reckon. Anyone who thinks NN hasn't played some cracking footy at times this year, that shows an amazing future hasn't been watching West Coast - or indeed just looking at the numbers. And ditto for Watts if anyone said same of him. Good luck to both young men, its been horrible how much they have been compared. Just let them play and both become stars.

Just to clarify l only meant injury and form. No idea on anything else. l would suspect that one's own injury and form concerns would naturally lead to a greater self-focus and limit one's ability/time/focus on leading others. Perhaps just as applicable to the Skipper.

Great post/concept l reckon.

Bit harsh with the last call in the first post for mine but it certainly has been a challenging year for that group. Thought Jetta showed quite a bit early in the year, he can be quite tough and hungry in the contest which is something the club needs. l think Daveys (and previously Whelan's) leadership of that group has been immensely important and perhaps less possible this year as he has been caught up with his own issues. He has been an excellent servant of the club and is just back from injury....And that Aussie and LJs home situations/personal losses over the past 12 months in the NT would be a significant source of stress and imbalance for anyone playing AFL away from home. Would just love to see Aussie get back........Hopefully they have all learnt alot and can bounce back next year.

You can talk about this in an on-field football sense. But you take it too far by saying " a real leader" or "the Leader he wants people to think of him as". As the first player from the deserts of Central Australia he has shown enormous dedication, guts and effort. He is a Leader, to his Warlpiri people here. And to other remote communities where his journey and courage has a real life impact of thousands of remote indigenous Australians. Including his previous on the ground mentoring work here in the Warlpiri homelands. Which saw him awarded Young NT of the Year in 2009. Much more important than anything that will ever happen on a football field.