P-man

Waving around a club presser as if it puts the issue to bed is almost as ridiculous as taking internet rumours as gospel, especially in light of recent events. I'll be thrilled if the group is as tight as it has ever been, but I'll believe it once I start seeing it translate onto the field. Plus I'm not sure how that article vindicates Neeld in any way. Indeed Chip mentions pretty much everyone bar Neeld - his fellow backmen, backline coaches, new senior players and Neil Craig gets a big wrap. Looks like the Roos rumour has no basis according to Robbo who phoned up Roos and asked him directly. His response was, "let me put it this way, I won't be coaching Melbourne next year". So the door is left ajar as to him coaching, it just won't be us.

Agreed.

bing, if you want to nitpick about wording then go nuts, but the sentiment was clear. Here is what he said in the presser: "We thought under 5 goals, kicking 14 goals, these things were good.." "To kick 14 goals against the Lions, they're a good side, particularly up here, we thought that was a pretty good go.." I take issue with both those statements on the grounds that they gloss over what was basically a shithouse display against a very medicore side in Brisbane, where the final score totally flattered the performance. You clearly don't think that, that's fine, but let's not pretend he wasn't expressing that he was pleased with the effort. As a supporter, I was far from pleased.

I was basing that on Neeld's comments post match, saying they were happy with a five goal loss away to Brisbane, who are typically strong at home. A load of rot imo, and others may disagree, but Brisbane are absolutely cod ordinary at the moment, were missing some big names, and in fact had a number of players with under 10 games if i recall correctly. I don't care what the internal expectations are, in no way was that an acceptable performance.

Seriously chuffed to see Col Garland up there this season. He's an important ingredient in any future success.

If Jamar is fit I'd go with Jamar, Gawn and Dawes. Spencer in addition seems a bit of overkill and taking up the spot of a Blease or a Toumpas, but I see the logic you've applied. It's when Jamar is not fit that things become a bit more complex. All of Gawn, Spencer, Fitzpatrick and Dawes makes me nervous, but might be necessary given the lack of experience. I'm really looking forward to seeing Dawesy run out there for the first time.

Ah bugger, I forgot Dawes. Become so used to him being unavailable. The balance with the rucking options is going to be an interesting one this week.

Jesus Christ..it was a joke. I'd attend to those anger issues if I were you. Wowee.

Out: Grimes, Nicholson, McKenzie, Spencer In: Magner, Jetta, Blease/Toumpas, Fitzy Trenners gets another chance but has to go next week if he underperforms against GC.

Lighten up mate. That's a short novel you've written there.

Tl;dr

I don't want to bang on about Neeld. He's had 18 months. That's enough time to form an opinion of him as a coach.The players had a dip on the weekend. This alone is an improvement, but when the players putting in effort is an exception to the rule, that remains a concern. We take what we can get right now. There were baby steps that jumbo alluded to, and indeed once you put Clark, Hogan and Dawes in our forward 50, score lines will start to look more respectable. All I ask for is a continuation of momentum and not to witness a coach bouncing in his seat when the margin is kept to under 100 points. The effort in the second quarter is a MINIMUM requirement, every week.

Dunn is a 100 game player with natural ability. If we're seriously saying he has turned things around on the back of one good game as a tagger, we're in deeper strife than I thought. The expectations on him need to be alot higher than that. He needs to demand his spot in the team and be a consistent contributor.

I absolutely agree he did a good, important role on Judd. But I'd like to see a decent body of evidence other than a so so season last year, and 2 games this year, one of which where he was pretty awful, before praising the job Neeld has done on him.

I have no issue with those ones who were culled (Moloney wanted out). I had hesitation over Petterd but not so much now after watching him at the Tigers. Byrnes was ordinary yesterday but overall that recruit gets a decent tick. Dawes injured. Rodan and Pedersen the jury is out though the verdict isn't looking promising (Pedo showed good signs when moved down back however), and the less said about Gillies the better. One tick, one cross, two half crosses and one yet to see. Not a great return, but when you look at the names that left, probably breaking even, plus the new guys bring experience from other clubs. Obviously Neeld was referring to their intuition on the field when talking about things becoming "ingrained", but your point is a valid one. This team has a festering, losing culture, some of which is not Neeld's doing. But 10+ goal thumpings every week, and praising performances like the one against Brisbane, are things that are not helping to change that in any way. You can dress it up as "development" all you like but this is a team that does not know how to win games against AFL sides, and that too becomes ingrained. We are testament to that.

Ah yes, this long list of players that have improved under Neeld. It's little wonder we're surging ahead nicely... Dunn's played 2 games this year. Two. One of which was very ordinary, and the other where he did a decent tagging role. "Another that's improved under Neeld". Give me a spell. Let's see a senior player impact A game this year, without it being a purely negating role, before we praise Neeld's development of him.

Either a troll account or a complete moron.

lol. You're awesome, Jaded.

It's stupid playing him purely because he's captain. He was a total passenger today and it is hurting us.

He already is.

Terlich is a curious choice..

6. Garland 5. M Jones 4. N Jones 3. Frawley 2. Evans 1. Dunn

I can't see how much longer we can persist with a captain who has zero impact in a match. He even was missing his trademark tackle count today. Without that he's providing literally nothing. It is so bloody obvious who the best leader out there is and his name is Nathan Jones.

Would beat talking about the game. There was a period of 15 minutes in the second quarter where I remembered what it was like to enjoy footy. The rest was same ol same ol. Best thing I can say is they were having a genuine crack for longer than usual. I'm not sure the almost total lack of comradery when Dean Kent kicked his first AFL goal (an absolute ripper at that) can be just swept aside either. Not good.

Haha..so true.