wmth

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/news/melbourne-demons-board-dispute-worksafe-victoria-launches-probe-as-simon-goodwin-hires-top-lawyer-over-drug-claims/news-story/72ce7365ac4c2ebb658e6f3d7a06a0ef Another nicely timed hit piece before Max's 200th and a finals campaign

I went along. Some really good patches where we linked up well, and also some broken plays due to a fumble or poor skill error. Overall there were some good signs. Viney, Watts (swapped teams with Harmes at half time), Hogan, Salem were the best for me. Dunn was very vocal and screaming at players all day. Got pretty frustrated as the white team started to fade. Hogan could've kicked 6 or 7. Gave a couple away and was the best option a few more times. Not sure the Frost up forward experiment is working.

Agreed. Looking down. Body language wasn't great. I don't buy into the panic much, but I hate the circus this creates. Supporting is stressful enough. He's no longer the key post we once had, with the way Roosy's structured things. If he goes, it won't hurt as much it would've last year or before.

http://www.afl.com.au/video/2014-06-05/frawley-contract-latest-tigers-talk-cheap-and-more None of this breeds any confidence. He has every right to hold out, but as a leader of the club it's a poor look.

One of the most insipid and ill-thought out articles I've ever read. Thankfully, there is no comments function on afl.com He has failed to grasp that, faced with the same situation again, Viney will be in the same place. Because it's unavoidable! If we are pandering to mothers who are worried about their sons, then it's game over. It will be unrecognizable. There's been very little wrong with the game for over 150 years, before this sudden spate of rule changes. I just don't understand. It's an identity crisis that is incredibly amateur for a professional sport.

Agreed. This is what's killing us. While the Shey's, Ziebell's, Zaharakis etc become frontlines and keys to their club's success, none of ours have fired a shot. Almost has to be a product of environment. The urgency on the field is just deplorable and seemingly contagious. We are in this mire largely because we stuffed the draft and now lack a 'generation' of solid senior players (26 and above - left with Dunn etc). It looks as if it's happening all over again, with very little progress from draftees of 5-6 years ago.

Far out that video is embarrassing. I hope they watch it. We would be 50% better if we ran like an AFL standard side (in both ways). Killed on the overlap all day, and turned it over partly to do with poor skills / decisions but also because of lack of options / separation (running!).

The guy's a professional footballer. Versatility, at that height, should be his strength. I don't feel sorry for him at all. Him, with many others, should be dragging us out of this heap we're in. Some hardness would go a long way to changing both his fortunes and perceptions. He failed to impose himself on a single contest. Just not good enough and he doesn't need any pity.

Righto. Sorry to offend the basketballer in the house. While basketball is not football, my point was is that he lacked any modicum of ferociousness and appeared to be playing a non-contact sport. However, as you rightly point out, perhaps at the very least he could embody a spirited basketball player when he pulls on the jumper. At the moment, his intensity is not fit for a field or a court.

Reluctant to criticize Roos' game plan (at all), but while acknowledging the lack of forwards, why is it that no one is actually playing forward?? Pedo and Fitz are no doubt useless, but too often they just weren't there (seemingly under instruction). Reminded of me - respectfully - the Bailey days where we ran into space but simply had no options presenting (Beamer's long bombs to no one, anyone?) Must be infuriating for Jones, Tyon etc to look up and have to stop and prop. The only times we looked remotely decent was when there was at least a contest and a presence. Secondly, we would be at least 50% better if we ran like an AFL side. Token efforts all day and no separation from opponents. Skills were poor, but they were made poorer by very few options. Sprint FFS! The intensity was completely unacceptable. To watch Nat Fyfe and then Watts (similar position, build etc) is embarrassing. Watts is more skilful, but the attack and want is miles apart. That was a basketball game from Watts, and he got away with against St Kilda. Broken record, but he need to be told. So much potential .

Don't mind the 'Ratten rumour'. The last time our midfield was any good, was when he was coaching. Don't think he did a bad job with Carlton at all either.

At least 2-3..... http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2014-03-07/hogan-sidelined-with-back-injury

One of the most pathetic responses I've ever heard. It was feeble and I wouldn't be fussed if the club put him up for trade now. What a passenger. There was an opportunity to show some strength, and he passed. Winning doesn't just happen Jack, and it would be nice if you acknowledged some responsibility. Turning Melbourne around is a competitive persons job and football's full of them. See ya, Jack. I am one of them, but I feel sorry for the supporters. It's bloody hard.

Noticed a few have retweeted Scott Pendlebury's positive note. Even Jess Hogan: https://twitter.com/jesseBhogan

the wrong choice? Absolutely, but not necessarily because he can't coach but for the task at hand. Too big of a job for him and it should've gone to someone with experience. Never stood a chance.

Decision justified. Complete and utter [censored].

He would merge us at the first chance.

Besides Hogan for obvious reasons, they could get a kick and drag the club out of this mess. Yes, we're in a poor state, but they must acknowledge the opportunity they have to turn it around. As competitive people, surely they must have some sense of responsibility.

I am not sure there is any argument that Beamer (and Rivers) would be in a our first 18 now. However, the decisions weren't made for season 2013. Neeld's trying to rebuild a mess and it involves some cleaning out. I don't know what sort of presence Beamer had, but it's the environment at Melbourne that is more toxic than the list.

If anyone's interested: http://www.backpagelead.com.au/afl/9448-for-fuchsias-sake-play-like-demons#comment-898779279 My weekly column is invariably about the Dees, although I wish it wasn't. Some may notice some stats dragged from here. cheers, wmth

Thanks for the feedback. I don't think Sanderson has lost any respect or admiration just yet. He still says all the right things and is quite demanding. I quite like how we called out his ruckman (Jacobs) recently. He seems to have responded reasonably well. Injuries will cruel his year though. It's not so much having your name in lights, but I worry about the public things Neeld says (even if they may be true). You would almost start believing that we're not expected to win and go out happy with a reasonable effort. Put some responsibility on the players, put expectations. If we're to be any good, it must happen. Not sure Scotch and West Coast are a fair comparison, but Hinkley's cattle (most of them) won only eight games in the last two years. No doubt Melbourne's problems are deeper, and it's a factor. Without knowing any specific, Neeld has walked into a horrible place. Perhaps it's about time we started putting some blame on the players. After six years or rubbish, what right do they have to rebel against a coach (if true).

All coaches are easy targets when they lose. There is a clear difference in style between other coaches - I just don't see his comments building any confidence among supporters or players. The way Melbourne lose is opening up Neeld to criticism. It's positioning, run etc more so than skill.

If anyone's interested, my column this week looks at Neeld and Hinkley. I think Neeld is on borrowed time. http://backpagelead.com.au/afl/9305-no-limits-port-a-model-lesson-for-dees Cheers

It is indeed. I am actually writing a weekly column for BPL this year. Given my allegiance, and the fact the club is continuously a topic of interest, I dare say there will be a few more Demon pieces. Cheers

If anyone's interested: http://backpagelead.com.au/afl/9163-watts-with-all-the-attention#