stueyspencer no12

This, and other similar pieces make it seem that the sacking of Norm Smith was ridiculous, a total stuff-up, a conspiracy against an innocent man. There was no simple right or wrong about his sacking. His behaviour leading up to the sacking was unsatisfactory, he was playing favourites and, worse, treating some players, eg, university students, appallingly. The Committee (as it then was) included a number of great supporters of Norm, indeed Norm and Cardwell had been very close, yet in the end, as I recall it, they voted unanimously to sack him

The appointment of Skilton was hardly a mistake. Would have had us in finals except for Walls screwing up a kick for goal v Footscray

He has no hope of a game on the forward line and key back line positions are filled. There SHOULD be a role as a back pocket playing on the tall forwards, Hale etc but several times on the back line he was simply pathetic. Didn't seem able to spoil marks. Frustrating because he is a lovely kick ( I also recall that lovely goal when he ran from the back pocket and kicked beautifully) But overall I just doubt that he is up to it

Well Milne added a great deal to the StK forward line with its 2 talls. Even on his bad days he was a threat; I reckon he won quite a few games for them. Someone, whether it be Byrne or JKH, is going to be needed assuming most of the talls are playing. Howe is very different, Blease perhaps the other possibility? To me , with good coaching, Blease should be an ideal wingman. So I like Jkh's prospects

I agree with this except that I think we are a bit hard on Terlich and Jones. they did ok in an absolutely awful team this year. in a competitive team I suspect they would look pretty good. You could easily lose 2 backs and find Georgiou playing a useful role. But as to King, if he can cope with the physical work which wil be put into him he's a real prospect

I like this! I also like young Max--a lot! I think he is a more natural mark than either his brother Max or Spencer. And he knows where the goals are too. A couple of bits of great crumbling football. I will bet this kid makes it.

I think there is something in this suggestion, tho I think he would do better in the back pocket against players like Hale. He always kills us.An earlier poster selected Tapscott in the back line. Hooray! It stuns me that after his initial 6 games pre hamstring, when he played so well down back, he's not been played there again. For a start he's a great kicker-in.he's looked like a fish out of water recently. As to Salem I don't think one can generalise about playing young players. Next year's team will be physically stronger than recently. If his form is up to it I would play him. I do find it hard to see Strauss getting a game. A really important choice will be the small forward. We need someone there with real pace, bearing in mind the talls who presumably will be playing. Could Byrnes be a Better player in a bigger, stronger forward line? He does have goal sneak smarts tho I'm sure we can do better later.

Hold on! Peterson,Gillies,Byrnes. In a large bunch of recruits even you would get some right!

Well as I said, I disagreed with the Bailey sacking. I do think that quite understandably the board felt it hard to disagree with Jimmy, as to a number of issues. Bear in mind that CS had a huge role in discharging the debt. Jimmy was the front man without whom it would not have happened, but CS did a hell of a lot of the work,I I'm sure Schwab regrets his role in the Neeld appointment, but he wasn't th only person who was wrong. Plainly Malthouse had a lot of respect for him and I believe the sub-committee was influenced by his (and Gary Lyons') views. I'm not into recriminations, people of good faith got it wrong. Now lets get on with it!

I thought the last quarter, in particular, showed how important is Jamar. Minson nearly killed us, too strong and fit for Maxie. Thought perhaps Fitz should have been tried more in the last quarter, on Minson. Big Max was buggered

Good one mate! He was rated best on ground inThe Age. His last 2 games have been outstanding.

Will we ever get a look at Davis? Why is he on the list if he can't get a single game in this team. I'd rather play him than Pederson

It was an excellent game. I think he is very promising. I would also take the matter to the tribunal

I wish you'd stop saying this! It's nonsense! We have always been underfunded for reasons well known. The club made finals 13 years out of 20 from 1987, despite the reduced resources. In that time, 3 good coaches, Northey,Balme, .Daniher. Membership was hugely improved. Couple of bad decisions (sacking of Daniher and Bailey) have damaged us badly. Sure, the relevant Boards must take responsibility for those

I agree. Found it very interesting. Note what he says about the Melbourne board. FWIW I've been questioning of the criticism of the board and even, to some extent, Schwab who did play a major part in the debt reduction. I remain of the view that the whole bloody disaster has been due to the Neeld appointment. Interesting that in the same Age there was a piece by Gary Lyon in which he accepted responsibility for the appointment, and of course Schwab was involved in that decision. I again suggest there was no crisis at MFC at the end of 2010. Promising list, gaps which needed to be filled but that was to be expected,debt wiped out, club apparently well run.

Most of the other games he was tagged by the best tagging midfielder. Many clubs recognized that the combination of Jamar/Moloney could be lethal. I do acknowledge he didn't handle a tagger as well as he might have done, but to get 18 votes in the Deees of 2011 was incredible. This year the whole bloody club will be struggling to get 18!

Don't forget though, he's.a Flat track bully who can't play against top opposition! I thought they were playing the Cats. What b--s we have endured from the Neeld supporters about Moloney

I think that's rubbish. Disappointing he might have been but like others I remember many gutsy efforts

He wasn't too bad last match against the Hawks

Jack, I also think of a great match a season or two earlier when Rivers went onto Riewoldt before half time, after the Roo kicked 6 from memory on Alastair Nicholson. This was before Rivers' serious injury which clearly cost him speed and mobility. he kept Riewoldt to 1 more goal. We won a great contest. The reason I mention it is because McDonald's game on Riewoldt yesterday was similarly first rate. I thought it perhaps his best game, certainly his best this year. But for 2 frees, one of which was gained in the midfield by another player, Nick would have kicked 1.

I agree with this and tonight, watching Moloney win an amazing game for Lions v Geelong, could not help thinking how bloody useful he would be at present. Let the Moloney doubters, those who reckon he can't play against quality opposition, watch his last quarter. Moloney, through the centre in 2010/11 was great news, absolute disaster that we lost him

I agree with this comment, in fact 6 weeks ago I was urging that he replace Neeld. Whilst this is a secondary consideration, it's not the worst move financially. Whilst we must pay out Mark and will have to increase Craig's salary, we do not have to appoint anyone else to fill the position which Craig held. The immediate cost of letting Mark Neeld go, will be quite modest. Different matter if at the end of this year we let Craig go, as I understand he has a contract for next year. One other positive note. I started watching the Dees in 1950. First game I saw was Stuart Spencer's first, hence my name on this site. We were ok in 1950, finishing 4th. But then a bunch of good players who'd played in the 48 flag, and some in the flags from 39-41 all left. Team was desecrated and in 1951 we were last, by the length of the straight. Near season end against Footscray on the G we were down something like 19.15 to 1.5 at 3 quarter time. Norm Smith appointed for 1952, ok that year, worse in 53, but in 54 we started a run of 7 grandfinals

When it gets past midnight and you've had a few drinks, go to bed! Alcohol is the only explanation I can come up with for yourdisgraceful defamation of a 19yo Brad Green playing in his first season who had his jaw busted in the GF

honestly this is just complete B s. if you don't agree please read the various articles in today's HeraldSun including all the stats.The Board did Not engage a coach to get rid of or downgrade senior players. It did Not engage a coach to start again with the list, it did Not engage a coach to recruit 4 has beens who couldn't get a game elsewhere, it did Not engage a coach to introduce a gameplan unsuited to our list. Neeld, who I think was out of his depth, made a series of awful decisions. I mention 1 which really irritates me. Many posters now have No time for Moloney. I disagree but respect their views. But please tell me what was the sense in downgrading Brad Green, a loved and respected Demon all his career;why should a man like Green be humiliated? The damage done by such moves was serious and permanent. The coach had no idea we would lose v Brisbane in R1 last year, did not realize that the 2 kid captains, would be out of their depth, and that a run of 9 losses had started. Sorry , I feel concerned for Mark Neeld, his family etc, but to suggest he should not have been sacked is fatuous nonsense