Binmans PA

It may also take him time to get used to running again after his hip ops.

Yep. That's the truth, I'm afraid.

That's a reasonably generalised comment, but the fact that Neeld isn't teaching anymore could speak volumes. Don't get me wrong. Being a teacher doesn't make you a good communicator, but you would have thought it would offer you a little more foresight about how people respond to autocratic leadership. Someone described the way he came into the club as subtle as a bull in a china shop. Reasonably apt description. Surely he'd know this approach wouldn't work with everyone.

I'm not a school teacher. I just prefer to spell things correctly. And his boxing sessions were about emasculating the younger players, just as it was for Brock McLean. Moloney made his own call. If he hadn't been lazy and egotistical, he'd have played a role for the team. It's not about any one individual. I agree a good coach gets the best out of his players, but what Bailey got out of him was not the best and if it was it's not worth it. Moloney was endemic of the Bailey era. If we were playing an interstate team at the 'G he'd turn up. He rarely got it down against good opposition.

I agree. Although this problem stems from simply not following Heppell or Priddis around the ground. We are so loose and our midfield structures are hopeless.

Disagree jnrmac. We were still as loose as gooses in the first half. We took the game on with more attacking flair, but still failed to stop them from scoring. Our tackling was almost AFL standard in the first half. In the second half, our players "went into their shells" (to quote Grimes) and this further exposed our lack of accountability.

Doesn't it just defy logic that he's clearly not a good communicator, considering his background in education?

Good point. McKenzie is perhaps a big out. Still, he's a very limited player. But so was Ling to an extent.

Neeld has denied we're playing a zone. He may not want to call it that, but it's that or deliberate unaccountability. It makes absolutely no sense that a coach would come in, looking to strengthen defence, but play zonal defence. This teaches a side about manning space, not accountability or winning one on one hard ball. Neeld must finally feel how Bailey must have felt. Neither of them are up to it either.

Roos and Clarkson are the only two I'd touch out of that list. I'd have Ratten back as a midfield coach though.

I think "done as a club" is a bit excessive, but I understand the urgency with which you view the situation. I'd take Leigh Matthews over Neeld. Wow, what am I saying. Yep. I would.

I don't disagree RE: backline needs to improve, but there was a guy called Priddis who was this week's Heppell. He ran around seemingly by himself, which allowed other Eagles players first use and usually made it very difficult for the defenders. Essentially, the midfield didn't do our defenders any favours.

I'd counter this though, Stuie, by saying that the defence of the Bailey era never had the midfield backup either, yet they managed to repel attacks far better than 2012/2013.

Pretty much. What the hell have we been working on for two pre seasons? My god.

So why are you a supporter of his? Reasonably contradictory statement, especially given our "culture" and defensive side haven't improved an iota.

I wouldn't have thought he left the dogs in decent shape.

Our lack of midfield structure already exposes the likes Trengove and Jones for pace. We don't need even slower mids. Magner tries hard, but shouldn't be AFL standard, while Couch certainly isn't AFL standard.

Yep. Another bad move.

It reminded me of Adem Yze actually. Used to do that all the time in his heyday.

Wellman. Garland used to be able to position himself a lot better. Now he panics and I don't entirely blame him, given the lack of support and the ease with which the ball comes in to his opponents.

No, thanks. His teams have always faltered at the last hurdle. We need successful people.

Personally, I don't think it's as simple as throwing in a Judd or Ablett, although they'd certainly help. It's about structures. We have absolutely none.

Moloney, spell it correctly, was a down hill skier who was not a leader. Neeld was trying to teach him some semblance of discipline. Moloney wouldn't cop it. Off he goes. It's the way Neeld has treated the rest of the players and generally the place, rubbishing it in the media etc. that has left a lot to be desired. I agree that it will be tough to retain Watts and Frawley if Neeld remains at the helm come season's end.

We might actually be able to do that, now that Patton has done his knee. One less tall target for GWS. I think we could play McDonald and Sellar as key backs, with Garland as the third tall. Give Chip a week on the sidelines.

Perhaps, but as soon as Grimes handballed that off, he should have been looking to shepard. He had time and space too, but he didn't. Despite a number of skill errors and poor decisions, Grimes was good today, but he put Toumpas, a man playing practically his first game, under pressure.