hardtack

I think he's talking about Grimes :-)

Fair points, but I still believe that if it is necessary to offer two years to stop him from walking, then I believe it should be done. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that if Brad were to walk, he would be snapped up by any number of clubs and offered a minimum of two years; and there is equally no doubt in my mind that if he were told to walk, this would have major repurcussions on morale at the player level. The reason I cited the Grimes case, was to highlight the double standards that tend to be applied with regularity on these forums; a captain has one bad season and is no longer considered useful, while a player who is yet to prove his usefulness due to never being on the park, is being considered captaincy material.

It is NOT about time served and loyalty... it is about ability and the fact that Green has put in many years of above average performance and has had a bad year that could well be put down to the added weight of captaincy, he deserves his contract. It amazes me that people jump on Green for a poor season (and this is not directed at you SMcF), yet extol the virtues of players like Grimes and how they deserve the captaincy, yet.... can someone please remind me just how many games is it that Grimes has played over the past couple of seasons? Leadership, maybe, but captaincy?

They'll just tell you that the people at the MFC got it horribly wrong ;-)

You can call me a "bleeding heart and sentimentalist" if it makes you feel better, but I would say I'm a realist - the guy has had 12 very good seasons (I think it is - can't recall at what age he started) and one very poor season (regardless of age), so I am not prepared to write him off on the back of that. He thoroughly deserves to have his faith in the club repaid - he is starting to look like the Mike Hussey of the MFC. If you want to single Green out as having a terrible year, then you may as well add him to a list that includes all bar a small handful of our players - he still managed 11th in the Blueys, so by your reckoning, the vast majority of players on our list are in an even more tenuous position. I seem to recall Green commenting on his lack of ability to be effectual due to the fact he was not being allowed to play up the ground; if that was the case and my memory is not failing me, I would argue that those who comment on his lack of midfield input are way off the mark; even a captain must follow orders from above. I would think that Neeld will see that this was an issue and will probably play him further up the field, only moving him forward when an impact needs to be made.

So, what we want is someone who is articulate and can present well with the media, command the respect of his team mates and remain focused on the job at hand on the field without it having an adverse affect on his game? Maybe this is a job for a sports psychologist with experience in profiling? I would be reluctant to give the job to anyone based on our observations and opinions as I recall last year many of us, myself included, were in full support of Green being appointed. I know this will get a laugh out of many, but I am thinking that Garland may be a left of centre possibility as he is one of the only players I can think of who comes even close to meeting all of those criteria (Watts still needs a couple of years). And on Green... I am really disappointed, but not surprised (which in itself is disappointing), at the fact that people here are writing Brad off after one bad season as captain and discussing whether he now deserves a contract extension or that he should be happy to accept a one year extension. The guy has given his all for the club, has been one of our most hard at it, as recently as 2010 he had possibly his best season, and yet people still question his worth??? Unbelievable! Yes, he should probably be relieved ("stripped" sounds a tad harsh) of the captaincy, but in my opinion, he is probably still worth a 2 year extension with a slight salary increase if that's what it takes to get him to sign back on. Essendon supporters are often referred to as "the ferals" for their willingness to turn on their own... well, it seems there are a few Dees "supporters" who could possibly be referred to as "the fickles".

=1 - Jones =1 - Moloney 3 - Watts 4 - Martin 5 - Sylvia Moloney played a few blinders but went missing on occasion, while Jones was consistently very good... so I really cannot split them.

My only fear re Dawes is that he may be another Miller... shows a lot of promise but is unable to deliver it except for a few all too infrequent glimpses. Then again, I still believe he is definitely worth a go.

I would prefer Norman Gunston... no doubt he would bleed red and blue

It's possibly his last game before retirement and he intends to go out playing regardless of having a fractured cheek bone. His throat was a legacy of an injury early in his League (never call it Rugby) career. He is tough and he is not stupid.... just extremely dedicated. Hats of to him... I wish we had one or two more like him - I put Jones in that category after his desire to retake the field following his back/neck injury at the end of season 2010.

I don't know... I get the feeling it could go either way between Moloney and Jones - Jones has been Mr Consistent this year, while Moloney went through a very quiet patch mid-season. Too close to predict for mine (but then again, I'm usually wrong).

With a distinct lack of big bodied and skilled/experienced forwards up for grabs, we MUST go all out to get Dawes. As soon as I read that article this morning Neeld's working relationship with Dawes was the first thing I thought of as well; hopefully that could help to swing a deal.

Ok, I accept all of what you are saying... and I think that is the crux of the matter... Jones is willing to go into the contest where no sane person would and then will come out of it looking poor because his team mates have gone awol and he has had no one to clear the ball to.

I agree with everything you say except for the "shrug a tackle" comment. One thing I have noticed about Jones this year is that he has been able to shrug tackles consistently and in a couple of cases that I recall, he managed to break tackles and score impossible goals. His disposal continues to improve and as you say, his pace has picked up (although I have always found him to be deceptively quick when he needs to be).

Great to see he is going to stick fat with Todd Viney (from the Hun via MFC site): "Todd did a great job in his role as interim coach. Yes, he will certainly be a big part of Melbourne moving forward," Neeld said on Channel 7. "I've spoken to him a couple of times and he's a very passionate Melbourne person. He's fantastic at his job and has a lot to offer."

Yes, it is going to be interesting to see what view a new coach coming in will have. Neeld can take a dispassionate stance as he is coming in without having had to support Wona through what were obviously very trying times. If Neeld considers Wona to be worth persevering with, then maybe the lack of an "emotional attachment" will help Wona to focus on his performance as a player. Here's hoping.

Here's just a few off the first couple of pages of the Neeld thread... I got bored and stopped :-) Old Man Rivers wmth myboywattsy the master Demon Land 7 MrMoose

Yes, we have the cattle but we haven't had a cattle prod... hopefully Neeld may be the answer to that. We do need a good (operative word) big bodied forward, preferably with a few seasons under the belt, and we need a good solidly built "utility" player who can move between the midfield and forward line as a small crumbing forward.

I think it's probably a given that all of those appearing on the new banner will be playing in the red and blue next year.

Most excellent!

Great banner, but I'd be lying if I didn't say I was disappointed not to see room made for Jones who has been our most consistent performer and is the heart and soul of the team.

GWS have not achieved anywhere near the spread and depth of talent that GCS did in their recruiting drive, so I get the feeling they will have the spoon wrapped up for the next 3 seasons.

Yes, and don't they have a wonderful way of expressing their gratitude. I would love to see Harvey get appointed to the Saints - would make next season's Etihad game all the more interesting.

Absolute low of the low... Freo obviously reach an arrangement with Lyon and then sack Harvey; almost Shakesperean.

Yes, you are right, but my concern is that the potential trades to bolster our playing stocks, may not wish to come to us if we don't have the coaching position settled.