P-man

I know this gets says alot but..the comments on the Facebook page make me weep for humanity. "bout time Watts was dropped" Really dude? REALLY?

Jetta in there, Bail him out, and rush him to the Byrnes unit.

Hehe, nice one Mac. Someone has to be able to say they called it should the miraculous happen. Personally I am feeling a sense of inevitability about this weekend. Moreso than usual. Not a pleasant feeling.

I/C: Strauss, Nicholson, Evans, Tapscott Emerg: Blease, Pedersen, Davey

Commentators everywhere will have a field day if Clark ever takes a hanger on Kent's shoulders. "A Clark Kent special! Is he a bird or a plane?!" etc.

Great pickup. A positive for sure.

I agree it is still a long road ahead. I definitely disagree that this team is capable of nothing more than absolute beltings week to week.

I might see what sort of odds I can get on him saying the words "development phase" within the first 30 seconds.

Logic absolutely dictates we are better than the crap we're putting out. Frawley is half the player he was a few years ago and frankly looks disinterested. T Mac is unrecognisable at the moment. Watts' apparent mismanagement with "not a key defender, not quite a forward". Trengove, Blease...the list goes on of players not playing anywhere close to what we know they're capable of. You then combine that with the complete confusion we see on the field, where opposition players coast through the corridor at will, and where we apparently aren't playing a zone defence but can still leave 3 or 4 free targets with acres of space, even in the first half where we haven't run out of steam. It's hardly mind boggling to think we can play better. Alot better.

I serously doubt anyone is taking joy in this Paul. I would gladly take back every single word of doubt I've said about Neeld if we could put in COMPETITIVE efforts on the field. Right now we have the opposite of that in a basically unwatchable team. An expectation for supporters to sit on their hands and wait til the end of the season is completely unrealistic. Placate anger, in some cases possibly, but this has nothing to do with "big noting". What the hell is achieved from big noting online? No-one wants to see the team performing as poorly as it is, nor the individuals responsible (which they are) failing so dismally. This is OUR club that is in the shitter, and frankly supporters have every right to question what the hell is going on when these insipid performances not only continue, but actually get worse since last year, all with a basically injury free list (until this week) that is Neeld's construct. The basic point here is the lack of EFFORT on display. Not a lack of skill (even if that does point to development issues), but effort. I'm personally not going to wait until Round 22 to question the notable absence of EFFORT because that says there is something fundamentally wrong.

Is this another "troll", ash? There's a 57 page thread on Neeld mate, in case you missed it.

Fair enough. You however did go a bit further in saying that the tackle count was not one of our problems when the numbers tell a different story.

We also see a hell of alot less of the ball than those teams. I wouldn't be so quick to tick off our tackling pressure after winning that stat against GWS and Brisbane (against whom we had 118 less possessions). Round 1 we lose by 79 points with 81 less possessions. We lose the tackle count 62 to 54. Round 2 we lose by 148 points with 190 less possessions. We lose the tackle count 61 to 35. Round 3 we lose by 94 points with 65 less possessions. We lose the tackle count 78 to 56. Against AFL level opposition, the hardest team to play against has been smashed in this area.

I have to laugh when I hear West Coast fans say their club is at a crisis point..

I've put my hand up to say I've lost fairh in him and that's attracted some attacks from certain posters. That's fine. I value the club ahead of any individual, and I judge based on performances, which by even basic measures like ones that Ben refers, have gone backwards. Even from last year, which I didn't think possible. Actions are what count, and they are speaking loud and clear. I could not fathom the argument that the scoreline against Brisbane was evidence of improvement. Anyone watching that game surely could acknowledge how much the final score flattered the performance, which again had all the hallmarks of minimal effort. We were already going to struggle this week, but with outs of Clark, Watts, Jamar and possibly Sylvia, the result this week could be that ugly that it could all but spell the end for Neeld. It's a difficult to say whether it would be best to make the call on Neeld now or at the end of the year, but there would surely want to be dramatic improvement for him to be coaching in 2014.

Ah Rose, you divine creature. You make everything seem okay.

I don't like starting the thread on this note but I feel it's necessary given recent trends. Can this please be a discussion and not descend into sniping, potshots and bickering. I have no alterior motive here other than to seek the views of my fellow D'landers. As a Dees fan it's hard not to take notice of the winning, indeed undefeated form of our VFL affiliate. Having just beaten the in-form Williamstown by 23 points, the Scorps are flying. It's hard not to take alot of heart when reading match reports about Demons players along the lines of the following: Tom Couch: Tom played a negating role on one of Williamstown's prime midfielders and was still able to win 28 disposals. He also led the side in contested possessions and tackles. Troy Davis: Troy continues to play some quality football as a key defender. He competed well against Ayce Cordy of Williamstown and had nine strong spoils and generated four rebound 50s. Chris Dawes: A successful return to football for Chris, he played out his required game time and clearly demonstrated that he has overcome his hamstring injury. He also contributed with two important goals. Lynden Dunn: Lynden played a near perfect game. His 35 disposals, 11 marks and two goals were from half-back. His efficiency by foot was a standout in very difficult windy conditions. More importantly, he pulled up really well. Jack Fitzpatrick: Jack played another very competitive game. He had a real impact up forward. His leading, second efforts and finish for goal (4.2) was very good. Jesse Hogan: Jesse sustained a cork to his leg when taking a strong contested mark during the first quarter. This impacted on his movement and we decided not to risk him (early in the second quarter). Dean Kent: Dean had 11 disposals and kicked the goal of the night. His four bounces into the strong wind and his finish for goal were excellent. He continues to work very hard in games. James Magner: Jimmy had 32 disposals, seven hard ball gets and six tackles. He again led the team around the stoppages and continually worked the ball out of congestion. His form has been very good. Jake Spencer: Jake played another very good game. He had 15 disposals and 42 hit outs against an experienced former AFL ruckman. He has made significant improvement in his contested aerial work and continues to work hard defensively. James Strauss: James is playing with confidence and genuine speed. He is looking as quick as he has been since returning to football last season. His offensive work (15 disposals) from half-back, as well as his ability to play tight defence, has been a positive. Rory Taggert: Rory had 15 possessions, five marks and kicked two goals. He is working much harder in games and playing more consistent footy as a result – some of his contested possessions were very good. This is not an unfamiliar tale so far this season. To what can we attribute this form and what can be taken from it, if anything, acknowledging the obvious drop in standard to the VFL? (I believe it was Kent who commented that he was "disappointed" with the overall standard of the VFL as he expected it to be alot higher) Is it a case of having excellent VFL standard players and average AFL standard? Is it about the change of environment? Is it the Hogan factor? How can we transfer some of this winning mentality to the big league? Cheers all.

The only thing I feel for Nate Jones is an absolute truckload of admiration.

All for it! No wait...the complete opposite of that.

I wouldn't go quite that far. It certainly won't help. Either way, anything other than an ungodly thrashing would surprise.

Still quite shocked over this I will admit. Part of me is reluctant to join a witch hunt, given we know all too well what it's like being on the receiving end. However, drug cheating is about as serious as it gets in professional sport, especially as it is now believed it went beyond the AOD injections which alone would be quite serious. The punishment handed out simply has to match the offence - 6 months as a bare minimum for players involved and no premiership points in 2013/14 would be sufficient. Fingers crossed we come out unscathed, but if players have taken banned substances, we have to cop it sweet. It's inexcusable.

This is amazing btw.

Robbo pretty much always fears the worst.

Agreed, though I see where the OP is coming from. Unfrotunately "line in the sand" tends to have lost all meaning. Right now, every game needs to be approached with a "line in the sand" mentality. We are fighting to gain back respect and that fight is ongoing.

I think you're reading far too much into those posts, possibly to suit this agenda you seem to have regarding people with addiction. I just don't undersatand what was to be gained from you going off on this crusade in a generally positive thread. To broadcast for the 1000th time that you help the club? Yep, got that part loud and clear.