Deetective Sgt. Taggert

Somewhat surprising the club has allowed this to be published, as it is pretty damning of the playing group. I feel it doesn't have as much credability coming from Dawes, being so new to the club, but he is in the leadership group so I guess that counts for something. Can't help but feel he is just sticking up for Neeld, who no doubt played a role in getting him to the club

So Carlton lost after playing us last week. Does this mean the theory is now debunked?

Is it out of the question to throw money at Clarkson again?

So glad I am off to Ethiopia in 6 weeks to work for a year...can't come soon enough!

I would have thought there could potentially be some logic behind such a move, on the premise that the new contract would override the existing contract and would include clear performance measures linked to clauses that would enable termination where such performance measures were not satisfactorily met, i.e. to limit the amount MFC would have to pay out if they decide to remove Neeld. I have no idea whether such items already exist in the current agreement, but if such a renegotiation of the contract occured, it could meet both the need to instill some stability in the football department whilst retaining a degree a flexibility if things don't improve. Publically it would appear we have backed the coach but behind closed doors we have set clear expectations. In reality though, you couldn't see Neeld or his agent agreeing to such terms, or not happily thats for sure.

But as for Geelong, just wow, freaking wow.

I wouldn't be potting essendon just yet, as much as I freaking hate them!! They looked very dangerous early, and should learn from this.

Yeah that's were the comparison doesn't quite stack up, at least with Clark out that's for sure! But my main point is that confidence doesn't have to come from your best or most experienced players. Can come from anywhere.

During early games of the 1994 NBA Finals series the starting point guards for the Houston Rockets were getting creamed by the opposition point guards from the Knicks. It was largely due the brillance of their MVP centre Hakeem Olajuwon that kept them in it because he for the most part creamed his counterpact Patrick Ewing. The Houston guards who came off the bench, complete no namers I might add including a rookie, were the ones who the coach was forced to turned to due to the struggles of his first choice guards. With less perceived pressure and nothing to lose the guards coming of the bench were able to take it up the the Knicks starting guards, which helped rebuild the confidence of Houston starting guards and to eventually go on to win the Franchise's first championship in seven games after being down 2-3. Completely different sports and circumstances but it shows that confidence can flow even if less experience and less credential players are the ones to lead the charge. Not saying we are going to win but an increase in competitiveness may be there given the guys coming in are at least bringing some form with them.

I would take 5-0 any day of the week. Hinkley is obviously doing something right. Can only hope we'll be saying the same about Neeld in the very near future! But I think our problems run deeper and full credit to Neeld for trying to address the cultural issues. Go Dees!

I think there is less pressure on us next week being away from home and that will help the guys.

Was just about to start a thread myself. Such high quality and a great reminder of why I love this game!

Putting aside the obvious poor decision not to follow Essendon and be up front about Dank's involvement at the club, our supplements regime appears to be above board and less pervasive than Essendon's. I can understand the AFL being [censored] off but this isn't perjury on our behalf as we were never under investigation. The media perception is very bad, but I can't see us being unduly punished given the AFL will have to still have deal with Essendon first...

I agree with demondame that this would go a long way towards explaining their lacklustre performances. If true we as supported really need to get behind the players - paints a different picture that's for sure.

Well we definitely should be getting our money back. I wonder if we got sucked into buying magic beans too? Or is dank one of those dodgy drug dealers who cuts it with something... Reminds me of that children's joke about god giving away brains.

Haha, was just quoting this to my bro as you posted it!

I thought he handled it well too, albeit I thought it was a little unprofessional he didn't know that status of Dawes and Mckenzie given that info was published on the MFC website yesterday. I was a bit surprised he didn't have a mentor as captain. Surely David Neitz would fit the bill!

We can probably assume that part of this attitude came by his association with Hawthorn via the Box Hill Hawks. Perhaps this is why we haven't yet recruited any players from Casey...

Hmm, I think we knew most of this already, perhaps without confirmation. But I'm curious to know if you meant Nathan Jones or Matt Jones? I can totally understand the former but very intrigued if it is the latter.

You've left us all hanging here!

I think it has been well documented that the mature age recruits were brought in for their leadership qualities as well as their experience and mature bodies. Obviously the coaches would hope they would be able to make an impact in games too but they are also there to raise training standards, provide mature bodies to compete against at training, and increase competition for spots in the 22. Unfortunately these wont translate into immediate benefits on the field but long term I'm sure will help change the culture and performance. Sounds logical in theory at least!

I'm at home crook so perhaps a mix of boredom and pharmaceuticals... Point taken.

Agree. From this angle is looks much more line a legit hand pass. My bad!!

Watch the reverse angle at the 50 second mark. Obvious throw but perhaps well hidden. Ever tried hand balling backwards to the right with your right hand while running forwards?

I just watched the replay of Buddy's leap and goal from the centre square against collingwood. Not to take anything away from Buddy as it was a brilliant piece of play, but it is clear as day that he was on the receiving end of a obvious throw from his teammate, Stratton. You can see Stratton try to punch the ball with his right hand and then lob it with his left hand. The umpire was in a perfect position to see it too. Not sure if this has been brought up anywhere but the commentators made no reference to it and I thought it was worth noting. Just goes to reinforce that when you have momentum things will start go your way including umpiring decisions...