Bimbo

Re-posted Mark Neeld has appeared to have correctly identified the appalling long term lack of appropriate "culture" at Melbourne and is dealing with it as his major priority as senior coach. Melbourne has not had real leaders (or indeed leaders amongst its senior players) since the early days of the Daniher era. Daniher oversaw the change of senior players from Lyon, Tingay, G & B Lovitt, Viney, Stynes, Walsh, Ward, N. Brown, M & S Febey, Leoncelli and Ingerson amongst others to such as Bruce, Green, Wheelan, James McDonald, Robertson, Neitz, Johnstone, White and Yze. Of the latter group I would only put Wheelan, Neitz and McDonald as being worthy successors but am of the view that Neitz and McDonald did not have the personality to impose themselves on the playing group and while they were terrific footballers who gave their all for the Club, could not translate this to ensuring that those young recruits who followed learnt to give what they gave as footballers. As a result of the overall lack of strong personalities the playing list became lazy and self-centered. I am not convinced that anything like the splendid "culture" existing at Geelong and Sydney could become part of the Melbourne ethos, or that Neeld's approach is the correct one to bring it about. However, the steps he is taking appear to be logical and realistic. I am certain that if this remedial work is not performed, this Club is going to remain about where it is until it folds for lack of interest. If whose who scream for the immediate appointment of a new coach are successful I accept that in the short term we may win a few more games over the next couple of years, however, without the change in culture it is currently undergoing, the Club is doomed to mediocrity. Unfortunately, this cannot be brought about in a few weeks, or even one season. Of those who were delisted last year, I noted real gnashing of teeth by supporters over only Rivers, Gysbert and Moloney. To suggest that Melbourne had a greater hold over Rivers than for example St. Kilda had over Goddard is not realistic. Rivers has taken the opportunity to play with a team with a famous culture, discipline and which has real hopes of immediate success. All strength to him. Stan Alves and Greg Wells did the same with varying success decades ago. Gysbert was sadly a victim of the Club's lack of ability to develop young players of promise, which is in part the immediate problem Neeld is attempting to deal with. While our drafting may appear extremely moderate over recent years, how many of those chosen who have not realized their full potential would have succeeded at other clubs? Moloney to my mind is one of those at fault in continuing the toxic culture and if we are to improve long term, he had to go. Brock McLean is an example of the point I am trying to make. At Melbourne he became noted for doing wheelies in the car park and getting into fights outside drinking venue's. I was delighted when he left. It has taken some years and it now pains me greatly to admit that he is playing excellent disciplined football. It would simply not have happened in the team he left. Further to the suggestion trumpeted by his critics that this is Neeld's team, therefore he must take all the blame, it remains the fact that 25 listed melbourne players at the start of 2011 are now on the senior list. It will be much closer to being his team after the draft this year, if he remains in power. He has however recruited a number of players from other clubs who are now roundly ciriticised. I believe this is criticism without consideration to the real reason for the drafting of many of them. Clark is probably the AFL recruiting coup of the last two years. He provides real on and off field leadership. A perfect mentor for such as Jesse Hogan. Dawes is an intelligent and articulate leader coming from a strong club. His excellent article in the Age set out his understanding of Neeld's focus. Again he is a leader on and off the field (I say that having followed his career with interest at Collingwood). In his one NAB appearance the whole forward line seemed much better structured. Byrnes is a (multiple?) best clubman winner at Geelong. Again he brings his experience to the club and in my view has also provided good leadership on the ground. Roden is also an excellent trainer and apparently a personality about the Club. He is there to teach because there are not many others who can (and hopefully play a bit). Each of the above were picked up for far more than their football ability. Of the others, Sellar was probably a Neil Craig pick and has played some solid games in defence. Gillies comes from a team with a great attitude and was good enough to play 13 games for Geelong (although I haven't yet seen why) and Pedersen also comes as a senior player with experience at another Club (although again his on field performance has been underwhelming). Only Clarke of this list may be/become an A grader, however, each of them do far more for the Club in the terms of what they bring on and off the training track than a few young late numbered draft picks who would quickly become culture victims (or retaining Moloney, Gysbert, Morton Bennell et al). They have mostly been chosen for the short term in their own careers, but for the long term good of the Club. Without their potential influence I would despair (even more) about the future of potential stars such as Toumpas and Hogan. If all Neeld does as our senior coach is to bring about enormous and vital changes in attitude at Melbourne, he will to my mind have been a success. He must be given at least to the end of this year and probably to the end of the next to cement changes, otherwise I fear we are doomed to spend the rest of its existance supporting a team at the bottom quarter of the AFL ladder.

Davis is still only 20 years old. Is it just possible that we are taking a different course and trying to develop young players much better than in recent years?

Each year I think he has just about reached his peak. Each year he proves me wrong. Never more so than last year

Most enjoyable thread read this year. Would have loved to have been there

Cant see how we could be awarded the 4 points. As far as i could see, we didnt play

Would not have survived the merger. This is a mere (further) patch of misery amongst many others over the decades. Had a lot of fun supporting them over same period. Could only stop if they ceased

Dear Jonesbag Things could be worse. I've had Essendon supporters feeling sorry for me

and I loathe Malthouse

Carlton Some other clubs a long way back. Loathe the supporters (know too many of them) Loathe the Administration past and present (including those who have moved into positions (allegedly) away from the club such as Collins) Loathe many of the players (eg Robinson Judd and McLean) Just hate the cheats

Went with 84 year old father and 12 year old son. Could hardly speak for days as voice gone. I always had that awful feeling that if Trapper wanted to he could have played like this whenever he wanted to. Was one of the most intriguing games I have ever seen and as unlikely a win it would (and perhaps should) have been as when Wiz took Collingwood apart in the second half at the G kicking 9 when he was only brought back on as Ben Beames broke his wrist.

Many thanks for all report from another office bound computer watcher, particularly BH and RGRS as I know how difficult it is to try and refer to each player individually and Maldon Boy

Many thanks for providing the link. It has not raised my opinion of CW. I am grateful to GL for trying. I am content to be labeled "rabid" for the reasons espoused by Redleg

Those with less folicles after marriage are more likely to have sons, In this case fortunately tied by way of father/son to Dees

Feelings towards GWS Positives At least partly responsible for Clarke, Toumpas, Hogan, Viney at 26, Dawes and Barry Scully and his fat father have caused some of the funniest and most entertaining blogs ever Negatives Hate Scully Hate his fat father Really hate Sheedy Hate Gubby Allen Net Result I think the preponderance of weight is with the negatives

Kevin Murray was far more recent (1969). As best I remember he was normally a back flanker and chosen there in the Fitzroy team of the century

Was brought up in a Collingwood recruiting zone, just next to the Essendon zone. All things considered, I think I made the correct choice.

James McDonald appeared a very fine and decent man. An excellent example to all. However, this did not make him a leader and particularly not for the very young players at Melbourne. Certainly not in the vein of Voss, Herd or Hodge. For him to be effective as captain, he needed a committed senior playing list behind him. The players were mostly not senior and most of those that were gave no indication of being committed. He could not "lead" them in these circumstances. As a player he was a great trier but running out of legs. The only reason Melbourne may have kept him would have beenin the hopes his legs would last for the year until Grimes, who is showing some real leadership potential, was giving some indication that he could play most ot the year himself.

Loopier than Kevin Sheedy although with less ideas

Loved the moment early in his career when he took a mark in the goal square surrounded by opposition (Richmond) players and handballed to a very surprised Gary Lyon

6. Rivers 5. Bate 4. Jones 3. Magner 2. Bail 1. Clarke

Thanks for report. How did Strauss appear?

Am in as an accurately described Fat Al

I have an unhappy memory of Sylvia against West Coast in a previous preseason game with limited camera's

I think I am even more excited than I was last year after 2 NAB Cup wins in Adelaide!!!!!!

Threads like this are vital for their theraputic value. Were they available in the 1960's I might already be over my bitter and twisted dislike for that disloyal ex-player, Barassi. May the Paul Wheatley locker be encased in gold and locked forever and number 31 removed from our playing list numbers.