bing181

Weep ...

You're responding to a point I didn't make, which was about the difference between listening and putting into practice, not about being perfect or otherwise. Though you're also hanging onto your assumption that Neeld's game plan isn't working, when it has already been pointed out here, (and also in comments from the players and Neeld himself) that you're not seeing Neeld's game plan.

??? Where did he say he was happy with where we were?

If it was as simple as just saying "go out and do x and y and z like we practiced at training", and instantly the whole team started doing it perfectly, every club would win the flag every year.

Who's happy with where we are now? Care to name names to back that up? I can't see that anyone's happy at all. And not just on Demonland either. McLardy's not happy. Neeld's not happy. The players aren't happy.

Perhaps, but with Casey having 2 weeks off, perhaps he'd be better working on his fitness in the firsts, while kicking the odd goal and providing the odd cameo. Even a bit underdone, could he do worse than what Petterd or a few others did last week? Decisions decisions.

Because he had two games at Casey where he was close to BOG, lots of disposals etc., and was doing everything that was asked of him.

The assessment was primarily based on who had established themselves at AFL level. Not surprising that Blease and Strauss, serious injuries each, missed out. And with Watts currently playing VFL, no real surprise there either. Be interesting to do the same exercise in 2 or 3 years.

Yes, good work Barry Prendergast.

Yes they are, you're just doing this on an internet forum.

No you're not. He's had 7 matches and you're running out of faith? Maybe in 2 or 3 years if it's still like this, that might start to be a reasonable response. Some weak supporters around here.

Some do. Some don't. Some go fishing. Some go into the media. Some go into coaching. Old players just do what old players do. Pretty wild generalisation there - though par for the course around here these days.

Well, Sellar has also come in from another club, but take your point. Clarke is a gem, and only goes to show how lacking we are in other areas. I don't know that the players' mindset is diabolical. It's not entirely their fault(s) that up until now the questions just haven't been asked. No surprise to see them failing now that the heat is (really) on.

Woah ... with the exception of GC and our one-off against Essendon during their slump, all those sides beat us last year. And we "comprehensively beat" Sydney nearly 2 years ago. We were rubbish and all over the place for much of last season, and except for an unconvincing win against GC at home, we lost most of the last 7 games last year, and a few of them really really badly. This idea that we were OK last year and we've gone backwards just doesn't stand up. We were rubbish and still are - it's just a different kind of rubbish.

Surely that's the point. You don't make decisions retrospectively, you can only go on information available at the time. If things turn out differently to how you'd hoped, it doesn't mean the decision (at the time) was wrong. For mine, it's just ridiculous to blame Neeld. We needed to sort this lot out after 186, and it was always going to be painful and messy. The team were half-decent against St Kilda, even at times Geelong, and in front at quarter time last night. Going into this game, the Hawthorn boards were generally complimentary about us, and warning of taking us too lightly. Last night was a big step back, sure, but progress is never linear. The Jeremy Howe interview was interesting, and acknowledges that the players basically caved in to the Hawks' pressure and stopped playing in the second and 4th quarters. Once again, it comes so much down to the senior players and the lack of on-field leadership - if just Sylvia had stood up in the second quarter with a couple of game-changing moments, things could have been different - but he's not that kind of player, and we don't have that kind of player. It's going to take time.

With his experience and background, Craig is effectively head of the FD and all that goes with it. Mentoring Neeld is a fairly small part of it I would have thought. The Matt Burgan interview gives good insight into his role and input. Not to mention, the big difference with Malthouse/Buckley was that Buckley was assistant. At MFC, it's reversed, Neeld is the senior coach. Essendon aren't doing too badly with Thompson having a quiet word in Hird's ear, and as for GWS, you'd almost say Williams was the coach with Sheedy in the "mentor" role. Just saying. As long as it can work, the more expertise the better I would have thought, especially these days.

Really? The way we're playing now is actually following a game plan? I would have thought that the reason we're being shafted is precisely because we're NOT following a game plan, either through inexperience, inability or even a lack of confidence. If the players really were playing Collingwood-style, it would be a big improvement on what we're currently seeing.

Don't think they are. Warnock definitely fills a need with GC for a mature, big-bodied back - perhaps born out by the 22 disposals and 10 marks he took in a losing side today. Petterd? Why would GC be interested?

Thanks for the reports guys. Bummer now is that they have 2 weeks off. Terrible for the likes of Cook, Strauss etc. etc. Perhaps Jurrah still needs another run to get his match fitness up. Perhaps they might rush him back in for Sydney, presumably would add something the likes of Petterd don't seem to be able to for the moment.

You speak for "every supporter"???

Yes - perhaps those constantly calling for him to be included should watch that first half. Has done some great things in the past, but well off the pace this year. Sylvia not much better.

... and not just that. We're losing games because LJ got into a stoush in Alice Springs, TS left, we cut Energy Watch, and Neil Craig isn't doing enough interviews?

Thanks for clearing that up then. Champ.

And here we go again. Speculation, exaggeration and hyperbole. Who here has said Jack will go at one? Everyone? Really? And since when did 4-6 weeks become half a season? Though just to add, it's a jaw injury that won't stop his general training, and Casey have 2 of those weeks off in any case.

Getting mentioned on Demonland as speculation makes it a fact?