Footynut

Spoke with Neeld last night re this. He said it may seem harsh in some respects, but he had to do this in order to send a clear message to the playing group. Simple as that. Whether you agree with the decision or not - thats he reasoning. As far as MN is concerned if you play IR, then you represent MFC while you do that and drinking a night before any training session means you are not taking it seriously. Thats why the decision was made. Regardless of whether laws were broken etc they werent deciding factors for the punishment. This sort of thinking is more about changing the culture of the club than anything else. He didn't feel NAB cup was strong enough in message re the commitment and standard required to play at the top level.

Was a dinner function. Subaru had a table at this function. Mark has a good friend who works at Subaru. No sponsorship on the table from Subaru. But who knows. He also mentioned front of jumper sponsor is still being negotiated with two parties vying for the space.

So went to dinner and did have the pleasure of speaking to Mark. Got quite a few questions answered. I must say that after speaking with him there is no doubt the club is in GREAT hands. Those piecing blue eyes could kill someone on the spot! So a few answers to questions out there. 1. Perception the club is under resourced/behind with facilities. He and Neil Craig believe when compared to Collingwood and Crows Melbourne have the same if not BETTER facilities than these clubs. The club is also more resourced with people than the other two clubs mentioned. More that our people have not had role clarity and have not been working efficiently. Told the players stop thinking facilities are any excuse - big change in culture and mindset. Restructured staff - right people in the right places. They must become more efficient. 2. Mitch Clarke offer never changed from the time it was pitched to the second pitch in Brisbane. That was media make up. The amounts reported are also overstated. 3. He said numerous times - 'I only get one shot at this.' Thats why I got Mitch Clarke, thats why we are getting the best people to the club. I want to win. You get the impression this guy will stop at nothing to ensure success. 4. Clubs volume of training was HALF of what Collingwood, Adelaide and Stkilda do. Players are no where near ready to play how he wants them to play next year and reality is this will be a stepped approach to get them to where they need to be physically to play AFL. They wont be playing his game plan exactly how he wants it next year as they currently are so far off physical requirements. 5. Matthew Bate - We will need soldiers next year as most players are not ready for AFL football. He is a required player who has the potential. 6. Its a new leaf for every player at the club and they will need to show him leadership via actions during preseason, The leaders will automatically show out and he will be selecting the leadership group. ALL players will be starting from scratch he has an open mind. 7. Thinks alot of Trengove and Frawley when I posed as leaders. 8. He has had 2 days off in his first 5-6 weeks. He has been home only 4 times during that time. He is working over time to get systems and processes and structures fixed. He acknowledged so he should be - 'its what Melbourne supporters want me to do' And again 'I only get one shot at this.' 9. Didnt want to be drawn on Scully. Never had him so doesnt make any difference to Mark. 10. Colin needs to learn you represent the MFC even when you play for Aust. Drinking night before any training is not acceptable. 11. If a solid experienced player is available at pick 36 he will consider to add body strength to the playing group. 12. Melbourne couldnt get in the door for Caddy as Essendon took up the last day with mediation. 13. Views on particular players - he said we will find out Monday at training. 'I have an open mind until I see them on the track.' Reserves all judgement until then. 14. Still waiting til Monday to see if Aussie comes back from holiday to see what next steps are. Words to describe: Genuine, down to earth, confident, strong, steely, balanced and knows very clearly what he wants from himself and everyone around him. The boys ARE in for it on Monday! Go Dees!

Ok theres a few good ones there - if I can I'll ask!

yes he is supposed to be attending a dinner im at tonight so thought id see what ppl want to know and I'll ask it if he actually is there.....

If this were a possibility what would you ask him?

Just out of interest on the above tangent how many times has the rising star winner gone on to win say the brownlow or be part of a premiership team?

1. Couldn't be any worse than Green w the media. 2. Last time I checked Maxwell wasn't the smoothest I've seen! Who cares about media roll out Neeld everytime. Captains on field actions mean more than media performance.

Agree moment of truth for the MFC to show us what we stand for.

Morton had a crack at times...but he consistently holds the ball too long before disposal meaning he is under extreme pressure before he disposes and puts others under pressure as they don't know what he is going to do. He should be dropped. Sylvia will get weeks, the hit was right in front of me. Raised elbow to the head area after the ball had left. Davey was useless anyway so good he will be out. Scully needs to be dropped or rested. He doesnt look anywhere near it. Fumbled all day and had no positive impact.

Sylvia 6 Jones 5 Trengove 4 Garland 3 Frawley 2 Blease 1

I take it you are saying we are terrible except these 3? Do we take into account players who haven't been in best form but have shown in the past they can match it with the best. Those players were key last year and if they recaptured their form the team really would be quite competitive. So if we are up and going no we are not that bad. Those players are: Frawley, Jamar, Davey, Grimes, Green, Sylvia. Of those Green looks done and Sylvia may go. But the others still will bounce back and have plenty to give. You dont win AA for no reason. Also think you are harsh on Tapscott in what has been his first real year of senior footy after injury.

Uninformed comment from someone who isnt even a MFC member. Easy to pick holes from the outside. Harder to stand up with the group when the going is tough. The only thing this poster does well is demonstrate he doesn't care about the footy club. Apparently there is no 'i' in team but this poster brings a whole new meaning to that...

Watts Garland Joel Mac Trenners Howe Mckenzie

Im here with my girls. Rain has stopped sun is out. Come on dees!!I

I agree totally with all of the above but would like to add one thing. That our supporters and members turn up in droves to show we ARE a football club that no matter what happens always back our club. Alot of things have been said about OUR club this week. Our chance to make a statement this week is to show through our own actions that we have a voice. All supporters should do everything in their power to get to the game today and show we are here and no matter what will not be moved. It's for us to show what we got when the club needs us. Imagine a massive show of support today and the message that would send to the media, the players, club admin and other supporters. This is a club where people don't give up, this is a club that the its supporters stand with in the worst storm possible. There's been a lot of talk this week and personally im sick of it.... I'm going to get to the game today with my kids and deck them out in full colours with pride. Last week the sun set.....but the sun will rise again today win, lose or draw and we need to be there to show what we are about.... Who's in?

Nice reply... Just checking you found out that you can't simply deny the red and blue blood in your veins... Although we all wished we could yesterday...we know we can't. Am I happy about never having seen a premiership? Am I happy about where we are at? I know you know the answers...we are all upset and frustrated...I hope you feel better now you have vented and called me names...

I get why you are saying that but really we need to assume all assistants are to blame. The mids haven't progressed this year. Without Moloney we would be really struggling. Just because Westy is a good bloke and was a great player doesn't mean he's a great coach. It's entirely an assumption. He really has no proven results. None of the current coaching panel do.

Would it matter if he led us to a premiership? I think not....

Yea I actually think this one could work well..... Maybe if we also could score Scott Burns or Watters and G. Lyon got down the forward line we might be looking alot better...

Mate you left off S.West. Do you have any evidence he should also be spared given the mids also got slaughtered yesterday?

Thought you said yesterday you are not supporting MFC anymore? You're back....

I just couldnt agree more.... Sylvia is one of a pack of senior players who are downhill skiers... He is one of the few players with some real body on him yet we rarely see him prepared to get under packs and bust them open... Doesnt deserve the money he wants...no where near an A grader....

Not sure about G Lyon.... Should he at least be a forward coach or CEO for instilling football culture...

On fire cooko....