Binmans PA

You're joking right, Chook? Freo took the foot off the gas and we played with no structure whatsoever. I'm reasonably apathetic toward today's result, but it's indisputable that being thumped week in, week out is slowly crippling this club. As it did under Bailey, it hammers home an inability to win even once developed and experienced. Fresh blood and structures. I'm getting sick of saying it. Further, those that are saying Neeld should fall on his sword, you're kidding yourselves. Would you give up a $400,000 contract?

"Well, we were competitive in the second half and won the third quarter."

See you later Tappy. You're gone. Pathetic. Stuck by him long enough.

Apparently has his hand up for the Essendon job. Hopefully doesn't get it though. Wouldn't mind him. Met all the KPIs at Storm.

Watts was pretty much the only bright spot for that quarter. Attacked the ball and was involved in our only string of uncontested play (Davey, Watts, Dawes, Howe), where Jetta again failed to attack the ball when it was kicked to him at the top of the square. Davey also failed to attack the ball in a separate incident.

Yep, Collingwood look very ordinary. I could see Collingwood doing a Freo and hiring a new coach behind Buckley's back for '14.

Having just watched the press conference, Neeld looked shattered. Dawes looked angry. I much preferred Dawes' approach. Neeld's path was sprouting "rhetoric" and IMO dangerous messages, but I think his demeanour spells that he knows he's gone. Neeld's never been a particularly eloquent speaker, but he could barely string a sentence together in that press conference.

Probably the best post of 2013.

Clarkson certainly has a reason to lie. If it was confirmed we approached last time, it would seem logical we'd go at him again if Neeld wasn't working out. Either way, he's covering himself.

I've said it before. I don't care who coaches us. Just win a bloody flag. I think Clarkson is our best chance.

Wouldn't mind him bringing that guy either.

He sits on the bench most of the time, so that is interesting.

I'd like Clarkson and I hope he brings Ratten as midfield coach.

I prefer Clarkson's game style to Roos, but also believe it's more suited to our list and he is still coaching, rather than in the media. Of course, I'd take either in a heart beat, but dreamworld, I'd probably take Clarkson. I've got a mate who works on the Hawthorn bench and he says Clarko is a hard [censored]. It doesn't take being down on the bench to see that either really. But the important thing is, he has the respect of the players on his list and he is an innovative coach. Truthfully, I think it's their dearth of A grade defenders that has cost them. Lake is their only true key position sized defender. Yes, it's up to Clarkson to get that right come draft time, but it's tough to go out and get an A grade defender, when you're paying the likes of Buddy massive amounts. What I really like about Clarkson's style is his balance of defence versus attack. No one could ever accuse the Hawks of being a boring side to watch. Obviously, they have a lot of players with flair (Buddy, Cyril, Burgoyne etc), but he has them playing disciplined, yet attacking footy. Although their list (to an extent) is hamstrung by this lack of back half talent, his game style manages to hold up in finals series' and has got them over the line once on the ultimate day. If Hawthorn fail to win the flag this year, he might decide he's up for a new challenge. Either way, we have to ensure the offer is too good to refuse.

Thoughts, in no particular order: Jamar was playing on a no name and continues to fall over at almost every centre bounce. Every time he seemed to get a hit out in the defensive fifty, more often than not it was a dinky little knock to his feet. He tried harder today, but against half competent ruckmen, he's embarrassing. He simply gets shown up around the ground. Mind you. Gawn was shown up today too. Very, very, ordinary game from Maxy. His kicking is back to what it was prior 2013 too. Liked Dawes' game and I haven't seen Davey hit the scoreboard or influence the contest as much in the last four years as today. Some of Tappy's decision making and kicking is ordinary, given what a talented boot he has. Though he did some good things in amongst the turn overs. Trengove's pace is a worry. He really has slowed since coming to the club. You only have to watch his video from the '09 Championships to see the difference. I used to find Nathan Jones a one paced, poor decision maker, who failed to notice his limitations. Under Neeld he has turned into one of my favourite players. You can never question Jones' endeavour, but quite often now, he makes good to great decisions with ball in hand. Magner was solid too, as was Matt Jones. Frawley played quite well on Riewoldt, who I thought had two goals he shouldn't have. He beat Chippa at the end of the third quarter in that contest, where he snapped a goal from forty around his body. Outside of that, Frawley tends to always have Riewoldt's measure. I was really disappointed in Garland's game today. He played long parts of the game on the likes of Martin and a resting Cotchin. He's a foot taller than these guys and is playing key position most of the time. He was out-marked far too many times today. I think he'll be disappointed in himself. Howe doesn't work nearly hard enough up forward. He becomes really lazy. I thought his move into the sweeper role in the final quarter suited him though. It also allows him to read the play a bit. Very defensive move though. I hate that we've supposedly got a more defensive-minded coach, yet we continue to leak goals. Our midfield was better at times today, but we were shown up for pace, as was expected, and lacked sound decision making coming out of the back half (again). How many times did we turn it over directly from kick ins? I'd love to see a stat on that. Our defence were also sucked too high up the ground on a couple of occasions, which resulted in goals out the back. The same thing happened against Carlton. Not smart football and still hasn't been addressed. Understatement of the century, but it's horrible being a Melbourne supporter at the moment. I only hope that a change of coach (implementing stronger, more viable structures, with an ability to instil confidence across the ground) and the injection of midfield talent (experienced and young) will help right this sinking ship.

At least Newton had size about him. Bail has "run" in him...apparently. He is exposed further in a poor team. He offers little. I'd say he'll go soon too.

That's not the point, Stuie. While Moloney's body size would provide a bit of a chop out for Jones and the rest of our young midfield, I don't miss him. You only had to watch him play after round 12 last year to see his heart was not in it. Not to mention he is not a leader and was a lousy downhill skier. Not missed at all. The Moloney decision was the right call.

That footage from '09 shows a vastly quicker player. Though some of that could come down to confidence.

I wonder if he'll accept any responsibility for the MN appointment...

It's exactly what he would have done at Melbourne. He continues to substantiate his down-hill ski work. Very, very, very rarely does he get it done against good opposition.

Buddy's contract talks are clearly hampering his onfield performance. No doubt one of the top 10 players in the game. I'm probably a little unfair. He's probably top 5 in the game.

It's a bit defeatist though, rpfc. He's been a frustrating and inconsistent player over the journey, but his experience and body size are a requirement for our list. Particularly in the midfield. At least he has the skills and ability, rather than having to recruit a far less talented, experienced player like a Gilles or Pedersen, whose skills aren't up to it.

Thank you for your eloquence, Colin. I was trying to get there. Well said though.

The one man not on this list that I'm hoping will be available is Clarkson. With every day that passes I prefer Clarkson to Roos.

The Essewobbles!