The Chazz

Sheedy, Allen and Vlad did.

Old, I'm not going to totally buy this sorry, and I will most likely get shot down to some degree for it. These blokes spend 5 days a week with each other, they are constantly going over game plans, training/practicing what they have learnt with each other, then going back in and reviewing and doing it all over again. Yes, it will take them time to get to know each other, but I don't recall any other team that makes 10-15 changes in the offseason using that as an excuse for losing games before the season even starts!

That's good then. Will you be my bodyguard BH?

Considering I haven't spoken to you about Watts for quite a while, I am concerned with your definition of stalking.

Am I the only one that is intimidated by Craig every time I see him - even in a photgraph??!! This is a good photo of him, but he's got that look of "Jack, if you don't slam him in to the turf, it will be deemed a failed tackle and you will sprint laps as a result".

Ah ha, have we cottoned on to Neeld's recruiting methods here? He is trying to get rid of players with "difficult for some" surnames, and replace them with short surnames, for the benefit of some supporters. Look at the list of "outs" above - there is a trend here... I'm not looking forward to the first person who gets Kent incorrect, and I also thank Christ we haven't drafted a "Smith".

God, I hope he doesn't play half back flank at all in his first couple of seasons BH! I do think we should be right though. As you said, he's perfect height (and build) for a combative CHF. Surely when people see The Hulk that they realise that Watts shouldn't be criticised because he isn't that type?

B59, I'm not going to complain too much about the list that Neeld inherited (except for the senior players' attitude). The kids that we took with our many early picks were picked with a certain game style in mind. I admire the fact tha tBailey had an idea of where he wanted to take the game, creating his own path, rather than following the leaders. That's why Bomber Thompson nearly fell on his own sword - he was creating a beast that AFL footy hadn't seen, and until it worked 100%, he was in the firing line. I have no doubt that the beast Bailey was trying to develop was proudly on display against the Swans in 2010. The biggest problem was that DB didn't/couldn't change the attitude/culture of the players under him, and this was an epic fail. There was just no consistency in how the Bailey team played, which was probably a mental thing that was in place even in the Daniher days. If they could get it right, would it be a game style that could win finals/flags? No-one knows, but we al lknow that contested footy is what wins flags, which is where Geelong were such a great team - played the free flowing, attacking footy in the H&A games, then could play contested footy in finals. I'm doubtful we had the players that could make that change. Now that Neeld has come in, he has obviously gone grunt, which is great for finals, and gives me every confidence that we could actually win a final or two, three, however many required. The biggest concern I have is winning enough games in the H&A season to get there. Even Collingwood, Hawthorn and Sydeny, the teams I consider to be the best contested teams in the league, can, when required, play attacking, exciting footy, similar to that brand we played in "that" Swans game of 2010. The thing is that a lot of our players that were drafted with that style in mind are now gone (Gysberts, Morton, Scully, even Jurrah/Wona), so hopefully the players that Neeld has brought in over the past 12 months or so can fill those spots. Time will tell if this happens. The one thing that I keep replaying in my mind is the comment made by Neeld (on Robbo's The Coach's Office I think). Neeld said that he had told the entire group that what we do really well is attack, but we get let down by our ability to defend. So, as Neeld said, he wanted all players to keep that great attacking footy that we can play to one side, and we will return to that, but initially, he wants to focus on making contested footy our strength. This to me indicates that we just may see some of that exciting, attacking footy that we can play, but not yet. But hopefully the work we do in the first phase of Neeld's coaching stint, ie increase fitness, will see us playing more consistently when our game is better all around. I have said it a number of times, and will continue to do so, and it has probably been confirmed with the recent departures of some high draft picks, Neeld will be the next Melbourne Football Club premiership coach, or he will go down as the last Melbourne Football Club coach. If he gets this right, it will be something special, and a bronze statue will be erected (along with many other things!). If he gets it wrong, it will go close to ruining this Club. If anyone calls that MFCSS, I will take great pleasure in stabbing them in the eye.

I even hate Al Lynch, just becasue he is associated with $cumbag. Every time I hear Lynch speak, it get a vomit taste in my mouth.

I'd probably do the same if the Dee's picked me up.

Absolutely I wanted him to do that DF. I nearly spewed when he said that he hadn't watched any replays of our games prior to starting, and that it was a clean slate, and all that other BS he told us. Ok, I can understand the clean slate attitude, not saying I agree with it though. But if there were to be one replay he HAD to watch, it was 186. There were senior players playing in that game that delibrately sabotaged our football club, yet some on here were happy to accept that. I hold the onfield leaders on that day 100% responsible, and would've moved as many as possible on. It took him 12 months to do it, which is great that it has actually been done, but I would've beaten him by 12 months. And, a bit more on Rivers. In 2011, Collingwood made him the laughing stock of defenders in the AFL. They highlighted, on a big stage (QB Monday at the MCG), just how incompetent he was as a key defender. Sure, he came out in 2012 and had a good year, but that was more to Neeld playing him in areas where he had very low responsibilities, and it was more his natural football brain that got him through each game playing "well". I wouldn't say he had a great 2012, his output would be barely satisfactory in the top teams, it's just in ours, he was a standout because so, so many other were more pathetic.

It does make for an interesting game against Carlton when we play them. I'm quite sure there would be a few of the new blokes not impressed to be lining up against blokes that called their new team "bruise free". As long as we hit them (fairly), and hit them, and hit them, I'll be happy. Not fussed about the score, as long as brainless Robinson is hurting by the end of the game, I'll be satisfied.

With you all the way there WYL. I will never like GWS, and I will never forget nor forgive what cnut face did.

He's not a normal 18 year old though Satyricon! I think he could be the next actor in one of those Tooheys 5 Seeds ads. Looks like an 18 year old, but not as sweet as you think.

I would hope they are in the mix B59! Imagine the outcry if we drafted a 25 year old and Neeld said "with 2 or 3 preseasons under his belt, he should start to press claims for a senior spot"! Just because they are in the mix, doesn't mean they are best 18.

Except for injuries, I can't see how this can be changed in any way whatsoever.

Absolutely I'm serious. For Terlich to come in, you need to remove one player. You've named Garland and Grimes in the position that you think Terlich could play. Sure, you could remove someone from the midfield and put Grimes there, but why wouldn't you have him in there in the first place?

Clint, if Terlich is to walk into the back pocket, who does he replace - Grimes or Garland?

Sorry Rolly, but how anyone can have Kent, or any of the new draftees (other than Viney and Jimmy), in their best 18 is beyond belief.

Ron, I am man enough to put my hand up and say that I had concerns of a few things that Neeld done throughout the last 12 months, none more so than making Trengove a co-captain. He even summed it up perfectly during the year when he commented about putting blind faith in players. Well, I refuse to put blind faith in Neeld. I want wins, followed by premierships. Yes, I acknowledge the fact that he had to make changes, and those changes were going to take time. I have patience, it is a prerequisite to barrack for the MFC, but he also has a timeframe where I expect improvement. This is the year (2013) where I expect it, and the following year, and the years after that. I'm quite sure Neeld himself wouldn't want it any other way. He would want people questioning his decisions, that's not to say that he should be a puppet, but it's the sign of good management if you process the feedback you get. He's still learning, he will make mistakes, but it's what he learns from those mistakes that will decide if he is a good coach or not. Until then, I'm on the fence, and will try not to get splinters in my arse. As long as the evidence keeps coming in, like it has over the past 6-8 weeks, I'll be happy to keep an open mind about his coaching ability. The thing that I'm the happiest about is that he has/helped remove players like Petterd, Rivers, Moloney, Green. I think this was 12 months too late (I know I'm likely to cop it for that comment), and have no doubts that Neeld should've made those decisions this time last year.

Wow, it's great to see that we finally have someone in charge of recruiting that has a clear direction, and is willing to introduce innovative processes at the club. I'm pleased to know we're now doing what the other 17 clubs would be doing.

I am amazed by this "solely an outside player" talk. It's quite simple, regardless of if you are an outside mid, inside mid, half back flanker, forward pocket, if the ball is there to be won, you go and win it, regardless of your position. You don't day to yourself "oh, I'm an outside mid so I don't have to get the ball, it will come to me". I don't know any player that doesn't go and get thier own ball when it's their time, and yes, I have watched Morton and Watts before. If they can't get their own ball, they don't make it to U18 TAC Cup or National Championships, simple. If he's there, we pick Toumpas.

Is there another Reiwoldt that we don't know about? I know A Lockett (Anthony, aka Tony), but not sure who that A Reiwoldt is. If he's as good as either Jack or NIck, he'll be worth looking at.

So would I considering we'll be promoting him to the senior list tomorrow night.

We need to catch up for a beer one day DC, I like your humour. Was it next to her Billy Joel poster?