hardtack

Rumor going around where? Only mention I've seen, other than your, was that of gOlly's in the Other Sponsor thread.

I know you are upset over the fact that you can't get in early for your 2012 footy jumper, but don't you think you are going a little over the top?...particularly considering you have absolutely no idea as to where the club is at in terms of securing a sponsor...a lot can happen in 5 weeks.

Often the best explanations are brief... it was concise and to the point as judging by your response, you obviously had not read my comments properly.

I think you need to read a little more carefully.

You know this for a fact? I would have thought that the fact that Energy Watch is on the BOJ with a very large sponsorship coupled with the fact that the Reach Foundation logo on the FOJ is a temporary placement for the NAB Cup, might be an indication that a major FOJ sponsor has been in the works for a while and that an announcement is imminent. There is still a little over a month until the season proper gets underway, so it is hardly time for hitting the panic button.

I'm actually looking forward to seeing how Matty Warnock goes tomorrow night; have always had a bit of a soft spot for him and would like to see him do well.

China Southern sponsorship, you mean?

Correction... Melbourne is heading into the NAB Cup without an FOJ sponsor! I am very happy that they have chosen to donate the space to Reach for the duration of the NAB Cup campaign and as a bonus, supporters can purchase what is, in effect, a limited edition/collector's item (do the takings go to the foundation?) and then in season proper they will be able to purchase a regular jumper with, hopefully, China Southern emblazoned on the FOJ! I know it's a tired old cliche, but it appears that for some, MFCCS is striking early this year.

Disagree re precedents being set... as I said, the situation is that we are now entering the start of a new season and Neeld is demanding commitment and application from his players in order that they all enter the season together on the same page... later in the season this situation is unlikely to arise again as they will have been letting their actions on the field speak for them and they will be judged on that alone. I would think that Neeld is insisting that these meetings are crucial to his game plan and are therefore compulsory and that no correspondence will be entered into in the event that a player fails to show on time. Punctuality is directly related to discipline and as all of the others on the team made it on time, then Sam really doesn't have a leg to stand on... I'm sure they all were aware of what the punishment would be, before the "crime" was committed.

Rubbish comment.

I have travelled to China a couple of times in the past 6 months and both times with China Southern... sure they don't have all of the bells and whistles such as screen in every seat etc, but they are a budget carrier that I find very friendly and one that pays a lot of attention to their passengers. I for one would be extremely happy for them to be our major sponsor... they are obviously making a play for a top position in their business, just as the Dees are doing in theirs.

As we have no idea what the real circumstances were, I cannot see why this would necessarily be the case. Perhaps they were informed of the importance of this meeting and that late arrival could mean disciplinary action? Perhaps Sam had been late on previous occasions and was on a last warning? Do you know? I certainly don't. I would also expect that later in the season if a player has proven themselves a reliable and valuable team player, then the punishment will be meted out accordingly; at this point in time though, until they can put up, they need to shut up and show the required level of discipline and commitment.

Well, the obvious notable exclusions are Tapscott, Trengove, Jetta, Jurrah, McKenzie, Cook and Williams.

Agreed... in more recent years our coaches (Daniher and Bails in particular) have tried to be regarded as "friends" of the players... Neeld is obviously bringing his teaching past into play and distancing himself from the players to the point where he will demand their respect and compliance. This is not to say he won't be approachable... but he certainly won't be ignored.

Well, some would have us believe otherwise: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/sport/tanking-fear-sees-priority-picks-go/story-e6frg7mf-1226277564375

Which pick is made first... priority or pick 1? (I've never been clear about that - among numerous other things)

Just as they may be laughing at us for losing our 2009 priority pick to the luxuries afforded by a multi-million dollar lifestyle?

Haha, yes I thought that a strange comment too... he has actually shown some leadership qualities in that area as well, having got Frawley on board (pardon the pun) and Clark I believe, has also expressed interest if he not already partaking in the odd wave.

Unless you are Neeld, I don't think you are in any position to say this with such certainty.

But that is what I am saying by "proves himself effective". Obviously if his form declines and he is assessed no longer good enough to hold the captaincy, then he loses it...however, the club would be making a very big mistake if they gave him a "caretaker" role (even more so if they did that without first informing him); I would seriously see such an offer as having a detrimental effect on his desire to perform. But let's face it, such an offer is unlikely to transpire and I'm probably getting worked up over nothing :-)

Seems we have all forgotten about a young forward named Watts...his ability to pinpoint passes to team mates has for the most part been superlative.

I contend that no-one in their right mind would ever accept being a "care-taker" captain knowing that 12 months down the track you are going to be, in effect, made redundant; this would be he same as being told "there's someone we think will be a better captain than you, but we want to get another year's worth of experience into him first, so you'll have to do in the meantime." - that would be a kick in the guts to someone as passionate about the club as Moloney is. If the club considers him good enough to be captain of the club this year, then he should hold that position for as long as he proves himself effective.

C - Moloney VC - Jones LG - Green, Grimes, Rivers, Trengove

I know Neeld has commented on his starting with a clean slate etc etc, but I still get the feeling hat in the case of the incumbent (Green) he will take last year into consideration as he will be well aware of the kinds of negative effects that could occur by simply dumping him. I'm certain he will have taken note of the treatment JMac received and it's impact on the playing group and will not be wanting history to repeat itself. I personally would still prefer to have Beamer at he helm, but am simply saying Green's reappointment would not surprise me in the least.

In a way, I wouldn't have a problem with Green being reappointed as last year he was as much a victim of poor onfield management (let's not call it coaching) by Bailey as he was of his own poor form. Being stuck in the forward line much of the time really did limit his ability to impose himself as captain and didn't give him an opportunity to play himself back into form. I don't know why, but I get the feeling that Neeld has a lot of respect for Green based as much on his ability as on his reputation...and this may be enough to get his captaincy extended for at least one more season with his likely successor name as vice captain (Trengove or Grimes?). Now to go off topic and say at I am doing my bit for the China incursion by later today delivering a couple of Auskick balls, a pump and an Auskick back pack to my friend's two 5 year old nephews here in Shenzhen as a year of the Dragon/Demon gift :-) I hope to at some point get them to a nearby park for a little kicking/handballing instruction.