The Chazz

We have one on our list, if he could just get his sh!t together. L Jurrah. Remember the thread that was started a couple of years back asking if LJ was a star or not? Someone might care to dust off the cobwebs so we can go back and have a look waht was written. (apologies for being slightly off topic).

I'm going to throw this one in before DaisyCutter does - if the players decide not to "Jacking Up" this preseason, would it be fair to say that they would be "Jacking Off"?

If this was done in Bailey's years it would've been seen as tanking! The plan all year was obvious, kick along the boundary line to create a contest/stoppage, try and run down the clock by playing more contested footy, ideally reducing the amount of floggings. But, as AFL does (ie changes from year to year), the stoppages were cleared quicker, which meant we were too slow and good opposition found holes in our zones everywhere. In the 2nd part of the year, we were using the corridor a lot more, which would've been the start of seeing some form of our future game plan taking place. This gave Neeld about 11 true match simulation training sessions to see what still needed to be worked on. I'm not buying in to this business about us being better in the 2nd half of the year. We played far weaker opponents, so I don't see how this can be somehting to hang our hat on. The biggest concern I have is Neeld getting the players to play exciting football, and be excited about playing. He's stripped the players of both areas, and will take some work getting it back (especailly the latter). If he can do that and we can see obvious improvement, his next challenge will be to keep the players focused on becomming the best, and that such a title takes continual hard work.

Normally get my mother a membership for Christmas. For various reasons, she didn't go to a game this year. This year, she will be getting a coffee machine. It will be up to her to re-sign if the Club calls. For those that talk about jumping on bandwagons, etc, that's fine, I'll cop that criticism, but I would equal anybody in the passionate stakes, so if I re-sign or not is a choice I make based on a number of life's circumstances. I know this year I've had to try and relax a bit more, as the MFC was making me an angry man. I don't know who to blame for this, perhaps Neeld. When I watch the MFC I want to try and experience every part of the game as if I were playing it myself. Every goal they kick I want to feel that I'm in there giving the high 5's and getting a pat on the back myself. This year, the club has played with no enjoyment whatsoever, and that meant that I stopped enjoying it. When you stop enjoying a sport, you really should give it away. That'll never happen, but I've soon realised that I live a happier life when I find that balance of life and the MFC. I'm not sure what the future of the MFC will be. I thought $cully was going to be our saviour, so was shattered when he left (still am, even given his current form!). It was more about the fact that we "lost" a player who demanded a certain level of professionalism that we hadn't seen at the MFC for decades (in terms of work ethic and prepartion for a match). I felt that his departure was the beginning of something potentially dire, and as such, gave myself a reality check in regards to concerns I had, such as "what would it do to me if the MFC folded?". 12 months ago I would have said that I'd be hanging from a tree somewhere. Now, I'll be bitterley disappointed, but will get through it and enjoy the next phase of my life with the MFC chunk obviously missing. That's some deep sh!t, but that's how it is with me after 2012. I now look forward to spending the weekends going fishing, enjoying my new family, and appreicating the things in my life that I have control over. The MFC in 2012 has taught me perspective, and I thank it for that.

That might just be the case after this week DC. Don't they have their individual season reviews and medicals all this week? I'd imagine a few home truths will be bouncing off the walls in "The coach's office" this week. Would love Robbo to leave his camera rolling so we can have a listen to what is said! I'm on the fence with this Mad Monday stuff. When I played footy, we always treated it as a celebration for either making the finals, or winning the flag (not that I did the latter). I think there was one year where we didn't make finals, so we just had a bbq and a few beers on the Sunday at the club. While it's a long year and you train hard for a long time, there's nothing to celebrate when you don't make finals. The thing for me is that they are employees of our club. If their boss (Neeld), is happy for them to be tearing it up in Thailand, then we have to go along with it. I think the AFLPA have a rule in place that preseason isn't to start before a certain date, but I'd imagine Neeld and Misson will be putting in high expectations of the level of fitness that the players will be required to return to the Club at from day 1. I would also imagine that reaching these levels will be hard if you go on multi-day benders at the Full Moon parties, etc. Will be interesting to see how Trengove goes, considering he's one that is going to Thailand I believe. Not sure how many other AFL captains do that? Can't see Grimes doing it.

What sort of player do you believe Motlop is BH? It's only early is the kids career, well actually, he's been on the list the same time Watts has, but I can't see Motlop being a long term player for the Cats.

Dee, I'm just concerned what our expecations are on this Hogan kid, IF we were to get him. Yes, he will be on our official roster for season 2014. Yes, by the sounds of it he will be able to play senior footy in that year if warranted. Yes, by 2015 he will be a year older and bigger. But at what stage do we expect him to have an impact? Patton looked good at times this year, and will no doubt be a star in years to come, but I'd imagine Sheedy won't be expecting him to be a game changer until at least 3+ years in the system. I'm not against getting Higan, but if we get him, I'd hate to see us putting to greater expectation on him, especially in the initial couple of years of him being on our list.

Gee, you really don't rate Watts do you BH? I think your list of names above is expanded due to your disliking of the fact that Watts isn't the type of player (ie Key Forward) that you obviously had him earmarked to be. Put half those players in the number 4 red and blue jumper and you would have a totally different opinion. I'm amazed that considering you beleive you have such an eye to see talent, that you have been caught up in the Motlop hype. I thought you were better than that.

I don't understand why everyone is relying heavily on the Free Agency to get us the player we want. FA isn't a free for all, there are certain players that are eligible, and looking at the list of them, I'm not overly enthused by a massive majority of them. And I also don't understand why Gold Coast would give up Pick 2 in this year's draft for Pick 1 in the MD (especially considering it will mean GWS have Picks 1 & 2 in the main draft), just so they can take a punt on a 17 year old that is far from a standout (in the same cateogry as O'Meara).

Getting experinece playing at the "G" is no good to you if you're bundled out in the first round. I;m quite sure 99.9% of Freo supporters, players and the Club in general would prefer to play Geelong in Western Australia.

Good one Oli - nearly choked on my afternoon tea! Like the time when I thought our very own Ben Hur had made news in Los Angeles... http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/moviesnow/la-et-mn-gore-vidal-charlton-heston-ben-hur-20120801,0,4632567.story

Then go away and vomit somewhere else rather than all that verbal spew that you've just come up with.

In a nothing game at the end of a tough year for members, sponsors, coaching staff, admin staff and players? Regardless of the result, this game will have no bearing on what has been achieved this year. It will not undo any hard work the FD have done over the past 12 months.

I would imagine it would be in Port's best interest to try and get suitable compensation for losing Boak. By trying to "outbid" us to get Moloney could see them paying overs. If they want the best for their Club, they would listen to a Moloney & Draft Picks trade offer from Melbourne. If he was unrestricted, different story obviously.

C'mon Dr, I don't understand why you would put this in as part of your argument. I know it's tounge in cheek, but it iritates me that you would say something like that to try and get your point across. For mine, it gives your argument no credit whatsoever. Then you follow it up with the old beauty of "I know what the coach is doing". You say that he is being played back there more for the benefit of racking up possessions than his own development. How many "experts" that have actually had a long career at the top level came out and said that the best thing for Watts' development would be to play back to learn how the opposition forwards play? Do you really think Neeld is playing him back to get cheap kicks? If so, sack the coach immediately.

I belong in the camp of Beamer and our 2nd round pick for Boak. If that doesn't work, Beamer and our mid first round compo pick for Boak.

Yeah, he does have that "something". I just hope the players see it though, otherwise it'll mean nothing. That was sort of the angle I was taking with this weekend. If the players can see that Neeld has that flexibility when required, that it may help them while they are thinking about things during the offseason. The problem in the past is that when we have given players a bit "freedom", they abuse it. Just could see this weekend as a perfect opportunity to see who will still do the right thing when let off the leash (looking for players who will still ensure they do those basics right that they have been working on all year, but still taking the game on). I think that's why Sam Blease has caught the eye of us in the latter part of this year, and given us some excitement. I just want to see 21 players doing it, just for this game, especially after the season from hell!

I can see your point, and I'm sure some will agree while others don't. And I would imagine Neeld is of the same opinion as you. I said months ago that Neeld will go down as the man that led Melbourne to their 13th premiership, or he will go down as the last coach of the Melbourne Football Club. His ruthless ways will lead to one or the other. Ahh, I just realised why you disagree with my post Rangey, it's because I said we should play Watts at CHF. How could I forget that he is nothing if not a hlaf back flank, and even then we don't want him playing there. Keep your Watts conversation to the relevant thread.

***Newsflash*** Season 2012 for the Melbourne Football Club has been terrible. Ok, so I'm not telling you anything that you didn't already know. But this Saturday, we finally get to play the final game of our season, and can then look forward to what is hopefully going to be an active trade period, followed by the draft. But, before we look to far ahead, we have got 1 game to go against a finals contender. Now, before I start, I'm not saying we stand any chance whatsoever, and will predict a 50+ point loss. For the 2nd part of this season, it was made quite clear that a number of players are playing for their career, and as such, these players have been getting a fair run at the top level. I would imagine by now that the decision on those careers has been made. Early this year in one of The Coach's Office segments on the MFC website, Mark Neeld made comment about the different style that he is getting us to play this season, being the more defencive style, and learning some of those simple fundamentals of the game. The comment Neeld made was along the lines of "We've said to the players that the attacking part of our game is very good and we do it very, very well, but it's this defencive side that we are going to focus on this season". He told the players "Don't worry about our strength (the attacking side) at the moment, we'll come back to that, we just want to get some of these basics right first". Well, as this is Round 23, and as we the suporters have put up with probably one of the worst seasons I can remember in over 3 decades, can I ask for Neeld to give us something this game to bring us back next year? Can he please "release that shackles" off our players and just let them play an attacking style of footy, one that they can do well, and let's see some enjoyment on the faces of our players. I'm not saying that they shouldn't defend, but let's give us a glimpse of what 2013 could look like. Let's see Watts play at CHF. Let's see Jack Fitzpatrick play at FF. Let's see if Tommy McDonald can go with Pav (if he plays) for a whole game. Don't play Rivers or Garland up forward, they are defenders and that's where they should be played. Give Gysberts a recall and play him in the guts. What harm will it do? As I said, by now the FD will know who's going to get their contract renewed. "Freeing up" our players for the last game of the season won't undo all the hard work Neeld has put in to get these defencive structures right. If we have a bad result, which is on the cards anyway, it's not going to kick the confidence of the playing group. I want to see an unpredictable Melbourne outfit. The problem with some of my changes, etc is the fact that Casey are still playing, and we have 8 players eligible to play finals. They need Fitzy, especially given the form he is in at the moment. They would need Gysberts getting the clearances. But to be honest, and not meaning to be disrespectful, fcuk Casey, this is about the MFC. We need members, sponsors, etc, and based on 2012, it wouldn't surpise if these areas drop in 2013. Will the result in Perth this Saturday make a difference for 2013? Probably not. But for 1 week of this season I would just love to see our players playing with some sparkle in their eyes and enjoying the game that most of us dream we can play at that level. Edit - tidying up!

Why wouldn't Freo be hoping that Sydney beat Geelong first, which is a strong possibility? Then after that, Freo can come out and smash us by 10+ goals, again a strong possiblity? Wouldn't that mean they finish 6th, Geelong 7th, and Freo play them in a home final in WA?

They must be an accurate shot if they can fire them from across the road and still land them in your pot WYL. Can they kick a footy? Perhaps we could have one playing in the forward pocket...!!!

I'll be happy if his disposal efficiency on the last line of defence remains as high as it is. I'd rather have the ball in Watt's hands in that area than Grimes'. I love how you will give NN and Hurley 5 years to establish themselves as stars. Here's a great idea, how about we give Jack the same time, and if he isn't in their class, tehn I will say we made a mistake.

Yeah Stuie. How many times do you need to be told that one influences games??? Forget about the 15 "cheap", "non-contested" possessions Watts had after his first game back from 5 weeks off, well, actually first 1 1/2 quarters. That was only against GWS. Let's bring up the shocker he had last weekend agaist a Top 3 side. Forget the fact that we are sh!t and have only beaten 1 team, in which Watts got Best On Ground in. The sooner you realise that if it wasn't for NN, the Eagles would be in the bottom 4 rather than the top 4, the better.

Oh dear...

Stuie - do me a favour and find that table of Watts' 6-8 games or whatever it was in the middle part of the season. If RR wants to use NN's ruck stats in his argument, you have every right to use Jack's stats up until he injured his ankle. Cabn't remember if it was on the AFL website or in the Hun.