Robbie57

I think our aim from henceforth should be to win every game we play.

It's time to graduate from competitive.

Totally agree with this. If we continue with the we are in a building phase talk we wont perform.

Thats what happened week one.

Its time to say "you are going out on the park to win" not just get experience.

"The next time we play Collingwood, we are going to kick their a---,"- Jimmy Stynes after 5 1/2 hour brain surgery.

Posted on Facebook by the club just now.

I am with you on that Jimmy.

Every heart is beating true for you right now.

How can they possibly rate Jake Spencer? It beggars belief. It really does.

I really think big men can take time in AFl the stars being the exception. Jolly got better with time. So have many others.

He looked like a stunned mullet but he may be ok I reckon we invest in him and see.

What I can't accept is a lack of commitment. No supporter/member, who was there last Saturday can say they saw even any semblance of intensity in the contest. We saw nothing from our senior players, which suggested they were playing for and with their "mates". When the chips are down, I cannot accept senior players, who should know better, not flying the flag in front of the "rookies". Clearly, we were not good enough to win on Saturday, and I accept that, but I don't mind being beaten, where there is acontest at the footy. When a bloke puts on the read and blue jumper, I, as a member, expect (demand) 100% commitment. What I found even more galling was this was our first game for 2010, at our home ground and our "home"game. From the opening bounce, it was clear to me that we had not turned up to play. So from where or what source are these intangibles engendered?

Much has been said about the lack of an apparent game plan and I subscribe to the theory that we simply don't have one. ...........

So, it is official, we are a long way off the pace and patience and perseverance is the key for us longer suffering supporters. Dean Bailey may well prove me wrong and I sincerely hope he does. He may well be a great developor of young talent; a mentor for youth. But is Dean Bailey a strategist and motivator on game day? I would suggest that these 2 traits are pre-requisites for any coach to be successful.

Before the season begun, his contract was extended, while, I would suggest, the jury is still out. In the cut and thrust of the business that AFL footy is today, I would suggest, despite all the good Jimmy and Cam Schwab have done, this was a blunder. As with any club, a mid-season review – something which every club will do, come the break - was the time to assess all positions.

As a bloke near me shouted to DB, as he left the ground at half time. "We pay, you get paid".

I was prepared to believe. I still am but having to endure the first half of the game on Saturday was humiliating. Dean Bailey it was totally unacceptable. My best mates son was close to tears.

I live interstate and almost flew down for the game. Thankfully the GP meant no flights. The shots of the Demon faithful in the crowd were painful to watch even a couple of little nippers looked sad. Bailey should watch that over and over and ask himself am I good enough? Nice bloke and says the right things but is he good enough? I watched carefully and there is very little by way of a plan. Bailey please please make me look foolish in the coming weeks.

On the TV there was no vision of him being tormented or getting into the players ( I truly hope I just missed it but I doubt it.)

In contrast on Saturday night ¾ time in the Swans match Roos strides out onto the ground approaches the playing group who dropped a 20 point bundle and says "shithouse [censored] shithouse" Points out what they didn't do and walks away he then turns back to them "not good enough just shithouse."

Now the positives. Brad Green wins the Jim Stynes award for inspiration. Guts.

Scully and Trengove looked lost in the first half but undeterred they played good footy in the second half as did Grimes..

Jordie McKenzie well done love his style. Bennell needs to back himself and mark a little tighter. Thought Rivers showed up. The much maligned Miller doesn't do enough but when moved to CHF looked better, lets just play him there and let him hit up and pass off. Frawley good but patchy same with Warnock. Spencer needs to play every week until he stops looking dazed by it all. Big men take time and game play in my view.

Jamar was great, kept at it all day. Kicked a much needed goal. Well done. Can our midfield now support him please.

Where were our senior players trapping the ball in the mid field to stop the rebound ? Same with the forwards if they cant kick a goal at least trap it down there.

We need some honest hard work in the midfield, please. I hate losing but at least make me feel you gave your all

Got my Melbourne magazine in the post today (love it).

On page 7 is the photo of Scully and Trengove getting their jumpers in front of the painting of Norm Smith.

I noticed for the first time Norm is pointing to a blackboard.

"Expect to win

First to the ball

Strong tackles

Possession"

Says it all really.

Go dees

Score: MFC 12.9. Hawthorn 10.10

MFC leading Goal scorer - Bate 3

MFC Leading ball winner - Jones 25 Possessions

Possessions Scully V Trengove -Scully 12 -1 goal Trengove 11

Number of Times Bailey says competitive at after match press conference 6

Number of times i say "Kick it!!!" during the game 34

Crowd 34890

This article was in The Age.

All I can say is, I want some of what the journo's having. He's off his brain

Yep they are not ready, big enough,no full forward blah blah but maybe they dont know any better.

The advantage young teams have is they sometimes dont get the memo on all that stuff including that they aren't supposed to win.

There is the Jim factor as well, he is inspirational and wont be standing around saying wait until its your turn.

I can hear him saying "fook it, have a go lads"

He will be there in amongst the supporters yelling and believing.

Top 8 bottom 2? Maybe 10, 11 , 12? Why bother worrying about position this year,lets go for a ride and see where it ends.

Hey R57 Love your post. I too have been thinking about how far these kids can go this year. Clearly with a third of our squad new they will bring their beliefs into the team and in turn shape the characteristic of our footy team. I like Tom S and Jack T not only because they are talented but because they are relentless and determined. Every team has a characteristic, an ethos or belief about what will take them to the ultimate prize. The question for this new Melbourne team is what are these traits? and how quickly and strongly can the team forge and unite behind them. While the game plan is critical and I'm confident in Baileys ability to design and implement a great one, it is the heart of the team, the camaraderie that makes great teams. So while I want to win footy games this year, I also want to see the team demonstrate their commitment to each other, their heart.

Go Dees

Well there is always someone with something better to say. Well siad Predman. I reckon this is a great question. What is the ethos?

I'd be interested to hear positive views on what it is or what it should be.

Ive gotta say, the original post was absolute dribble. Uninspired, boring, and sanctimonious.

True I can be all those things.

A few drinks help but even then I am no Mandela or Obama.

So whats your recipe?

Either way, I was disappointed by a long passionate post that didn't really bring anything new to the table.

The points raised might not be obvious to some supporters, but to then, in turn, assume that they are not

obvious to the club... I think, is foolish.

Feel free to have your own opinion though fork.

I will.

... but do be careful when claiming to speak for 'nobody' and 'everybody'.

I dont pretend to have any unique insight.

I am positive many at the club have thought about it.

I am positive the players have been told this stuff.

The difference is that you have to believe it and act on it.

Think of all the great stories of overachievers.

The underlying aim they have is often obvious.

What is inspiring is they put their belief into action and most people are surprised because we actually dont do that ourselves.

If everyone supporters,coaches act consistently with that belief it is bound to have an effect.

What is I hoped to bring to the table is that everyone has to have the faith and focus in themselves and the next touch.

So I am happy to be foolish or even niave but I do believe we all act consistently with belief in what our players can achieve we might (even after many disappointments) be surprised.

Couldn't believe earlier in the EPL season,I believe it was Mccarthy the manager of Wolverhampton that sent out a 2nd string side against Man United because he decided they couldn't beat Man U and he was preserving his 1st string side for an upcoming relegation battle game against (Happy if someone can fill in the blank here) which he felt was more important.

If I was in charge I would have sacked McCarthy on the spot no matter what it cost to pay him out! Going into games believing you cant win sets a horrible example for the players and shows arrogance in the fact that you believe you can predict the future!

I agree. There are many in the EPL that think staying up is good enough. I personally admire David Moyes at Everton (who incidentally have a youth coach on staff called Kevin Sheedy). Moyes always thinks his team are good enough to win games, sends them out every time wanting to win and HATES losing.

I have no doubt in the capacity of our current coach and team to achieve much this year and progress.  Actually I believe they can achieve more than the modest aspiration of a handful of wins.

Whilst we plan for the future and that looks bright, talk of the future should now be shelved for the rest of the season as it subtly diminishes our current aspirations and capabilities. Our progress has to start on March 27 and has to continue thereafter week by week.

Pundits, statistical coaches and some supporters these days look at the stats and declare the winner of the flag at the start of the year and even several seasons out based on the draft etc.  What a load of BS.

To play at AFL level you are talented.

The true difference between players is one of degree often a very small degree.  On any given day almost every AFL player could have a blinder and many do. Teams who shouldn't win do. What is it, an alignment of the moon, abstinence or dumb luck that causes that to happen?  Maybe, more likely that player actually realises and releases their underlying abilities.  This may be because the coach has awakened their belief of what is possible or a couple of actions early in the game release that belief from within.  There is no reason that can't happen every quarter.  Of course sometimes when things don’t go the right way on the field players drop their heads.  What is ignited is the sense of the impossible. Thats just not acceptable for the Dees.  This year can only be about what is possible and progression.  What is behind is exactly that. What might happen in the future is equally useless.  What happens next is all that matters. 

It’s the untapped potential in our team that can and will win us many games.  Its there for the taking.  Our coaches and leadership group should have not a moments doubt in the capacity of the current players to realise what they aspire to, winning as many games as they can.  Imagine if Mohammed Ali had said "I am the greatest…..but I am not sure I can beat this guy."  Why bother to turn up to fight Ali if you thought you weren't in with a chance on your day better to believe: "He might say he is the greatest but I can win this."  Truth is as great as Ali was he won some fights only because he thought he could.

Bails doesn’t touch the ball what he depends on is his ability to make the players powerful and realise they can play at a different level more consistently.  He has to put that belief and fire in their belly every match day every quarter.  He must ask himself before every game if he can't see the fire in the players eyes, "What am I doing that my players are not fired up, have I given my players every chance and the responsibility to release their best game today?"

Each player has find that fire within.  Do you believe your next touch may be the one that sparks a blinding performance for the rest of the game or even the season?   I reckon each of players can do it. If not don't pull the jumper on. Seriously go fishing, anything.

Supporters have a choice of helping our team find the fire and a blinding performance within or running with the stats.  Personally I find stats uninspiring and dull. The sweetest victories are those we dont expect.  I am not a total optimist however I know every day someone who tries a little harder and has just a bit more self belief will do better than others and will progress. 

We have to ask ourselves are we doing all we can to support the coach and team.  So here is a challenge to those on this forum can we go a whole week next week with positive analysis only.  I don’t mean avoid criticism but lets make it really constructive. I expect the coach to be vigourous in demanding the players expose their best. I expect the players to release that potential. 

I was going to do a list of players I have seen play a blinder or well above their perceived abilities but let me throw that challenge out to the forum. Who are they? I can list about 18+. 

Imagine if only four of those players on March 27 put in another blinder or indeed all of them do it at once.

So here is my guarantee to you.  I will support the team with the same fire in my eyes, no excuses.

Bails deliver the guys to the field each and every quarter with a matching desire, no excuses.  Inspire them.  Demand they show their absolute best, no excuses.

Guys play with the sense that the next touch will be better than the last, anything is possible from one quarter to the next and a desire to show just how underestimated you have been.  

Every day someone somewhere is beating the odds.

Go Dees.

Pavlich is the ants pants of key forwards along with Brown & Riewoldt. I think comparisons made between Miller and the like are obvious and need no explanation. Miller is a work horse who gives his all for his team, the others deliver time and again in spades with quality finishing personified. I think Miller will be a regular contributor for the team up forward this year assisting with Bate, Jurrah, etc for collective results, I'm not expecting any individual brilliance from him, although it would be most welcome. i think we can all agree on that.

We have Miller.

Over the years he has had pressure stacked on him to be "brilliant".

A quiet individual committed to the red and blue who is more likely to thrive on being a solid and respected team player.

I firmly believe if supporters get behind him in a positive manner we will see the Neitz in him emerge creating opportunities for those around him.

A regular bag of 2 or 3 taking enough heat off the others is exactly what we need.