Footynut

Great forward pressure!

Winning more clearances! Good running, can we keep it up. Much better aspect this week.

Where to start on this.... We have a coach who is very clear on gameplan and this will either make or break him or the club. One thing for sure he wont change it and or tolerate players not showing the discipline to stay the course. Stuie...on the face of it of course you are correct. Our current list played flashy football that occasionally got us good wins against teams that were susceptible to a loss interstate. On top of that our better performances generally included players through the midfield who haven't really made it on the field this year. (Think Scully, Sylvia, Moloney not to mention Jurrah up forward) However as stated by others the trending of this gameplan was not obvious to anyone (just review threads on DB and lack of gameplan last year) including people at the club. Our team although seemingly showing improvement was not really on track to do anything long term in terms of matching it with the good teams. This year we are almost 5 games in and now we see this new gameplan and edge being implemented by a coach who by the way also lives in Northcote. This coach Mark Neeld will stay the course and clearly needs time to adjust the list to the way he believes this team needs to play long term to win. To give you an idea according to GPS data the players are running 30% further this year during games than last year. The gameplan pushes them right to the edges of the boundary and then asks for counter attacks to be made by getting the entire team to switch to the other side of the ground at pace. This asks alot of the players in terms of fitness. That is why they make really poor decisions and have been generally fading after halftime. When Mark arrived he knew straight away the list wasn't where it needed to be in terms of fitness to go with a gameplan that could challenge for the ultimate success. But he is determined to change this. People percieved us with all the investment in coaching and a new fitness regime that we would automatically be better. Reality is that was never going to happen. There is understandably a lack of patience from many...we have all been through a lot of pain and with loss after loss doubt creeps in. But let me tell you this. Mark Neeld has belief that what he is doing will generate long term success and he will not bend from that. People point to his media appearances being a distraction and that perhaps he shouldn't have said 'the hardest team' comment. But reality is that is his aspiration and he totally believes in it. Further to that, leaders at the club have expressed to me that they totally understand and believe in the gameplan and what is occurring. More than one has confided that under DB they really struggled to know the gameplan. With Neeldy they know what it is and agree totally with the direction. So people get ready for a season of more pain. I expect people will now jump on me for trying to impart what I know. Some will try to discredit me. Some will continue to pull apart Mark and his gameplan. They will continue to pot the 4 game coach expecting him to have turned us into a powerhouse by now. I wish everyone had the privilege and benefit I have had to spend time with Mark and other leaders of the club. When you actually see what is happening inside it is far more tangible to understand the facts as opposed to the many opinions sprouted about the club. I'll give you another example. When Mark started the club didn't even have the IT programs all other clubs had and he had to convince the club to purchase it and implement it. There are many more embarrassing examples that Mark has had to address that were big gaps in terms of getting the foundations right for the football department. It kills me to see our own people on this site make uninformed comments based purely on what they see on gameday. Although it is entirely understandable. (Believe me it kills me too) I wanted to write to try and provide some sort of solace to those that may wish to believe what I say. I see in many the passion and heart and pain that to have in my heart. All I can ask each of you is be realistic with expectations. Please don't blame Mark who is a brand new senior coach trying to change the club and set it up for success. Some senior players have a lot to answer for but I know you all know that. It is not accepting mediocrity just realistic based on where we have come from. In my job I am fortunate to have a lot to do with a number of clubs and I must confess MFC has been the club by far who are always behind trying to catch up. Mark is leading the way with fixing this disparity but it doesn't all happen and click overnight. The comment from Mick Malthouse about things other than football was an articulation of the fact the club has been paving the foundations and multiple levels to finally put everything into the Football team. Believe it or not good times are ahead but not without a lot of pain first. Stick with the Dees the light at the end of the tunnel will come!

Thanks HG between you and Stuie we know you are among the Neeld haters. Our coach who has coached 4 games but hasn't yet turned around a culture and list that has been dishonest and underachieving for years. He is doing his bit for the club in all facets media included. I don't post alot but do read alot. Jose has recently provided a voice of reason and has rightly challenged the doubters. Its easy to sit outside and snipe at our 4 game coach from behind a keyboard. Harder to have the courage to back up and stay positive as Jose has repeatedly done. Do you really know what is going on inside the club? Just because Neeld does media that means his coaching is rubbish?

Disagree - Sylvia gets beaten in the air against good defenders and is better running through 50 as a forward than a stay at home forward. He is not quick enough on the lead to provide the option from FF.

I would be blown away if we don't take midfielders with at least 3 of our first 4 picks. Absolutely we have invested too many draft choices trying to find the CHF of the century, but It's our mid field that is a shambles with holes everywhere.

I deal directly with key club people and they have told me. Surely you don't expect me to reveal who? I'm telling you this is the case. Believe it or not.

Absolutely correct. I can tell you that has come straight from the club. They believe he will be the best footballer to come through this draft no question.

Lots of conjecture here that's for sure. Let me tell you this. The club has worked with Jack for 2 years. They know what they are getting. They firmly believe he is a number 1 pick in any year. Pundits and press will propose they know where he is rated. This is unique in that the club knows more than anyone on this given he is not an unknown. He will be picked with the clubs first pick. Simple as that. He will play round 1 next yr for the Dees. The only way the club will get him second round is if they finish last or do a deal that lands them all available picks above them in round 1 of the draft.

gonzo you seem to portray that the problem with the MFC is the MCC and their members and doors... Is that right? Surely the club needs to be more than just about the old links to the MCC?

I get your point but isn't it more of a poor reflection of the recruiting staff who recruited these players with early picks and got it so terribly wrong as well as the club that has continued to foster their average performances rather than cut them lose back in the Bailey years? Is it the players fault they have the capability and limitations they have? Is it the players fault the club picked them with a low draft pick thinking they would be great players when they simply don't have that in them? More a poor reflection on us as a club and our poor decision making than the players and their limitations.

Sorry stuie - you need to get real. You seem to expect a guy who has coached 4 games to turn around a basket case. You easily forget his first presser and how he got caned in the media for being honest. Do you think he should come out every week and slaughter the team and further degrade their confidence? He is doing as well as we could expect any coach to be doing. Dont sit there and tell me there is another coach who would have done any better with this group after 4 rounds. The players have poor skills, lack composure, are not fit, many lack experience and many lack talent and are showing we have all overated them. No coach can fix those things all at once and immediately. Yesterday we saw improvement in endeavour and that is one thing I would expect the coach to impact and that was a good sign. Do I accept mediocrity? No Am I unhappy, angry and upset with where we are? Yes But my head is not stuck in clouds thinking we have some sort of God as head coach who will change the culture, people, processes at the club and turn it all into progress in a short time. You know what they say about pig sh%t......you cant make strawberry jam from it...

I believe either side of the fence you can get equally ignorant people. Where ever their are people and alcohol often there are problems regardless of money either side may or may not have. I have seen many fights/ignorance/ejections both in MCC and outside in the public.

I think you have an outdated perception Gonzo. MCC members are great contributors the MFC. You are generalizing to blame MCC members for the MFC not having 50k members.

I have barracked for the dees all my life. when i was 5 I was the only kid at school barracking for the dees. We were a rabble then and got beaten every week. Meanwhile Hawthorn and Essendon were winning premierships. I told my dad I'm sick of losing I'm thinking of barracking for Hawthorn. Had I made the change then I'd have seen 3 eras of Hawthorn getting to the top and winning premierships. In the meantime I have watched us mainly sit around the bottom apart from 87-late nighties. I'm beginning to believe thats only time I will see this club be any good. I look at kids now and think if they made a decision to support another club including GC and even perhaps GWS they may be more likely to see success before us. I dont regret my decision but I do understand that kids will be swayed by team success or lack of it. Our club needs to at least be competitive for us to have any hope. There is a severe lack of light at the end of this tunnel right now.

Wouldn't it be wonderful to see Aaron really use his experience to lead, crumb and provide a genuine small option in the forward line tomorrow. It would add such a different perspective to our fwd 50 if he became really dangerous.

Agree cant stand Buckley, Collingwood or for that matter Carlton... Can't they both lose?

Totally agree RB... It's as if almost every player we have drafted is a 'project player' which means we have never understood their value until its too late. I can't remember the last time we recruited a 'Fyfe' or 'Martin' that other clubs seem to get that hit the ground running. I still look at Sam Reid and Watts...what would we give to have Reid on our list. Regardless of our draft position other clubs have proven you dont need pick 1 to create a strong competitive list.

While i agree with your post I would like to add a couple of points. I have seen many posts on here already pointing to the draft. Fact is we have a whole season bar 2 games to go before we can draft. I do not think it to be an overstatement to say that there are teams that have played the game that have had less talent than us and still managed to be more competitive. I think Neeld needs to keep pushing our players regardless and attempt through the adversity to instill more heart and resilience with the group we have. When the end of the season comes of course we can look to maximise our draft outcomes but prior to that every effort must go into turning around the culture of this club. This will take a mammoth effort and unfortunately time (which we all don't want to stomach). I think its unfortunate that many look towards the draft for a glimmer of hope already. It's understandable but boy we need to try to get off the canvas from here and fight starting this week against Richmond. Reality is before the season we would have considered ourselves on par with Richmond. Reality is the only thing that has changed is players mindset. If we can get some confidence into these players and have them play honestly for each other things will have a different complexion. Neeldy you have time....do what you know you need to do.

All good in theory but with Gys, Moloney unavailable who are the 5 you are bringing in? Do you honestly think those players coming in will be better. Our cattle is rubbish.

Holy hell. It's ok to be unhappy and frustrated. But really is the OP in this thread serious?

I was trying to say that but you put it so much better DC!

Don't turn this into a definition of the word ashamed argument. We all know what ashamed is. Apparently I'm uneducated because I'm proud and not ashamed of our great club like you? I can tell you this. I will never be ashamed of our club. I love them today as everyday.

To suggest I'm saying take out $100k loan is ludicrous and not what anyone herein talking about. Does the club need to find sponsors...of course. Will this happen tomorrow? No Have supporters and members already contributed alot? Absolutely. Fact is do you want the club to survive and thrive or not? Surely donating more member money while the club seeks more sponsorship won't hurt? Agree with you that's the paid club people's job but as members our obligation doesn't end at a few donations. Anyway as Clint said no one is holding a gun to your head. If feel the way you do don't contribute. I would be proud to contribute more regardless of the thousands I have dipped in our the years.K

1. I read the CEO's comments. 2. The club acted appropriately and with integrity once the issue was known to them. 3. I didn't see you telling everyone here we shouldn't sign with them as their CEO is racist? 4. The thing that you said that raised my sense of passion was denying the MFC. You said you wre ashamed of our great club. The club has done NOTHING to be ashamed of. It is a difficult time but the world still goes around. Let's not get into an argument over who's the better supporter. I'm asking you as a Melbourne person to support your club to the hilt when they need it most. Now...