Dr. Gonzo

I thought that after the first few games as well - it's because most of his possessions seem to occur within packs.

Daniher stuffed our list beginning straight after the 2000 GF. He tried plugging gaps at CHF/CHB with guys like Miller, Robertson, Ellis, Bizzell and Rivers. None of them are KPP, Miller you could make an argument for but he didn't have the talent. Not to mention the fact he persevered with his favourites and accepted mediocrity from players who continually fell apart in big games (Yze, White, Johnstone, Bruce etc). Was a one dimensional coach who was good for the first 3 years but gave us nothing after that. Couldn't make a game day move to save himself either.

Hawthorn's base is out at Waverley - I doubt you'll see too many heading out there to meet up before games/after games. For some that live in the area they might head there during the week/for training but it's not like it was in thr 60's or 70's with training after work on a Thursday, sausage sizzle and team selection. Most training sessions occur during business hours now. The sport has become professional. I think there's an argument our Admin & FD should be housed in the same building but I don't see the benefit of a social club in this day and age. There are the rooms at the G where premium members can meet and have a drink/feed and hopefully the southern stand facilities will be upgraded soon. I don't like the separation with MCC especially due to so much of our support there and the change rooms hidden away where most people can't access them but at the end of the day every club has to deal with that now. If we ever do get that elusive premiership, celebrations aren't held at social clubs anymore - a function room will be hired at Rod Laver or Crown or something where the players will go back to celebrate with those of us lucky enough to get a ticket.

His first half last night was very good. He'll be a gun once he matures and has a season or 2 training in the AFL. He's one of our youngest on the ground and you can see him directing players where to run when he has the ball.

You mean the one where he was running back with the flight and was unable to get back quickly enough because the ball was kicked over his head so only stuck one arm in the air trying to get fingers to it? I don't think he "squibbed" it at all, I think he was trying to get back but the kick was so poor it looked like he dropped under the ball instead of keeping on running backwards.

Neeld could take some pointers from Lyon about how to speak to journos without actually saying anything.

Support publicly, critique privately it's fairly simple. The coach should be shielding the players from the media's rubbish not adding to it.

So who is the "one" who you have heard stuff that indicates they want out - if it's the one I'm thinking of it's the one of the three we can least afford to lose.

Some of us want to hear what he's got to say and don't read every single thread on here so want him to keep posting. If you don't like it put him on ignore, simple.

You seriously can't see the difference between clubs who lose A player and us who could potentially lose 5 of our top 10 (or at least starting 18) in 2 years plays a number 1 draft pick the year before?

Supporters are for the most part realistic. They're not going to hang a coach for not making finals in his first year or a GF in his second but it's not too much to ask to see some improvement and an indication they are on the right track. That's all we ask is to see we are on the right track but nothing in the past 2 seasons shows that at all.

Well what do you expect? The man is a cokk.....roach.

Agree, I'll freely admit I know nothing about the relationship of those in the club and can only go off what's reported in the media and on here, all of which I take with a grain of salt. On this thread I have one anonymous person telling me he has links to players and player managers and saying there is an issue and another anonymous person telling me knows an employee who works as a fundraiser within the club saying there isn't based on their observations in the rooms on matchday. Taking them at face value I'd have to go with GNF's comments over yours and remembering that it is with a grain of salt. I only say IF the relationships with Neeld are an issue then he has to go but ultimately I'm not in a position to make that call.

The same people were in charge of the club at that time, just had a different coach and now a new (temp) CEO. And, with all due respect, a fundraiser wouldn't have much idea of what's going on with the relationship between coach/club and players regardless of whether they have access to the rooms or not.

OK maybe saying we can't afford to lose Watts is over the top because it would depend what we got for him. If we got a good midfielder in return it wouldn't be a big loss. But we certainly can't afford to lose Frawley and we can't afford to lose Sylvia for nothing. Davey is also on his last legs so if we lose all of them I can't see how the hell we will 1) field a team next year who could beat even Port Melbourne let alone Port Adelaide and 2) meet the minimum cap requirements for next year. The club needs to make retaining these players a priority as we will be in big trouble if they all walk considering the dearth of talent on our list and the plummeting "games experience" stat that will be pointed to as reason to give the club/coach more time to be even competitive. If Neeld has to go to make sure these guys are retained then it has to be that way. You show me our best 22 next year if these guys all up and leave.

I agree it should be on them but the fact is there's no way we can afford to lose one let alone all of them.

IF (thats IF) we lose Frawley, Sylvia, Watts & Davey retires/leaves or signs a much smaller contract how in blue hell are we going to meet the minimum salary cap requirements next year?? And don't say we'll poach players from other clubs (Dale Thomas) because there is no chance in hell he would want to come especially when other clubs (eg GWS) could offer him the same amount of money we could to play in a rubbish team albeit they have a rosy future. Pedersen will think he's hit the jackpot as we'll have to restructure his contract to pay him $600K/year just to meet the 95%. This is my fear about Neeld. Losing the games, losing members etc I can cop to give him a bit more time to see if he can coach but if we are going to leak all our senior/best players because of him and have to field a VFL side next year he's gotta go now. Losing the players is what will hurt the club, members and sponsors will always return when we start winning but losing the players will mean we are just another 3-5 years bckwards from where we are today. The person who mentioned Fitzroy losing Lynch, Roos, Pert, Osborne etc hit the nail on the head.

Where's Collingwoods social club? At the Lexus Centre? I don't buy it this isn't the 60's/70's anymore who would even go if we had one anyway? Far more important things to worry about.

Eltham College or Eltham High? Gee it's lucky we didn't end up with him, we all know Geelong only picks up one dimensional spuds.

So you saw a 2nd year player with only 25 games experience playing in the 17th side twice on TV and once in the flesh and are prepared to write him off completely as ever being able to be a decent player in the future? I am assuming one of those games you watched on TV was not the game against the Cats?

Yeah I don't get the Tebow move either especially if he's just gonna sit on the bench for all but about 4 snaps like he did last week. I'd love to see him in a different position like the RB where he can use his strengths to his advantage. Would keep opposition on their toes as well as they wouldn't know if be was going to be passing or running. Not all that confident against Miami but thinking we should be narrow favourites. They did touch us up in week 17 last year when Holmes cracked it in the huddle so who knows hoping for a win though because after that we have a tough 4-5 week stretch that includes both the Texans & 49ers though they are at home.

Got a 10 leg multi on Monday mornings games - for a $5 outlay looking at a $2700 return if it gets up. Left out my Jets because they're as schizophrenic as Melbourne were under Daniher so not a good team to bet on. Looking forward to Pats/Ravens and seeing how the Jets back up from last weeks debacle against Pitt. Loving RGIII at the moment though with those injuries last week and the fact theyre in a pretty tough division could make it difficult for them to get a playoff spot. Will be keeping an eye on them though.

Not better than Jones - Jones showed this year he is one of the most consistent midfielders in the comp, he can win his own ball, disposal has improved and he can kick goals. Vast improvement from where he started where he tried to bullock through everyone like a rugby player. Caddy would sit comfortably in our starting midfield though I feel. Better than Moloney and actually reminds me of a younger version of Sylvia though without the "off-field" issues. Is a strong player who can find his own ball and can hit the scoreboard. Haven't seen enough of him to really comment on his defensive side but I don't think there's much doubt he would make a better option than some of our starting 22 this year.

Well he was injured pretty much his entire first season. No-one is suggesting he will be a franchise player, but can he be a good 10-year midfielder who can kick goals and win his own ball? Absolutely.

He has proven he can play midfield in the AFL in a crap team against significantly better opposition most weeks. He has proven he has the body to match it with more senior players. And most importantly he has proven he can kick multiple goals a game, something which none of our midfielders bar maybe Jones is capable of to date. Is he Gary Ablett Jr.? No, and he's not even Nathan Jones, but getting him at pick 13 would be about right. It probably won't be enough though as I have a feeling either Carlton, Richmond or Saints will offer a pick just before ours and Geelong will also offer their inactive compo pick, something which is of worth to the Suns considering they have to downsize their list this year so they can bank the pick for next year.