Pitchy

copped a spray - haha! That he did.

I am sick of hearing that we don't have the cattle up forward! It's insulting to the players who are in contention, and just generally uncreative thinking. Of the missing CLARK, HOGAN, DAWES. Only Clark is a proven multiple goal scorer so we must show creativity in coaching and not simply "stick a tall (Pederson) up there". Pedo is ill equipped in the role and is not an answer. How's this for a forward line for this week? Not all conquering by any means, but enough height and pace to straighten a team up. FF: Howe Fitzy Dunn HF: Blease Watts JKH The logic; Blease: has kicked a bag of 5 in an AFL game. Just play him forward pocket Roosy! Watts: is a tall target, with serious talent and our mids stocks are far better than our forward stocks atm JKH: can get a FULL GAME to show what he has Howe: capable of kicking a few Fitzy: get him up and running from CHF, using his speed and running up the ground. Make him watch 248 Nick Riewoldt games in a row. Dunn: the guy can kick goals when needed. Kicked huge bags in the 2's from memory (8?). *just added cattle 'up forward' as I was referring to the forward line

Just want to pay my respects to Dean Bailey and send condolences his family. Only met him once but he made a lasting impression on me as a smart, broad-minded, dedicated and genuinely caring man. A real loss to the community.

Great to hear everyone's thoughts on meditation. The human mind is not only endlessly fascinating but also can be very difficult to control as an individual. This applies to many life situations, not least of which high pressure sports. Meditation, as a way of understanding and training the mind, is both an ancient technique AND on the very cutting edge of modern science. Paul Roos introducing it, I believe, is an excellent initiative for the club. Well done Paul Roos and family.

Cale Morton was also the new Robbie Flower wasn't he? Let's let him make the most out of being the new Hogan. Can't wait.

Andrew Demetriou wants him back playing AFL. Won't be a miracle to see him given a chance.

Love the optimism Dees2014. I struggle to believe that a club wouldn't give Liam another chance. He is footballing genius. Wona never totally got to up and firing for long enough. I doubt Liam will be drafted back to us though, Roos never seemed rated him from what he said On The Couch - but that was with his Sydney blinkers on. Maybe its different now he needs a creative forward.

In this debate it should not be understated what a terrible and conflicted organisation the MFC was during Liam's time and how many players walked out or wanted out of the club. Watts was still talking about walking 8 weeks ago. I don't think it's fair to say the players just didn't want to work. It has been toxic down there.

Point is also that I believe that we have a superior forward line and back line to many other teams. So break even in the midfield could well be enough for us to win games and push up the ladder. Heaven forfend we actually come to dominate the midfield overtime! We will be unstoppable.

I remember when Dean Bailey arrived for his first preseason he saw Daniel Bell standing 6ft4 and looking supremely athletic on the track and told the media; 'I'm expecting big things from him'. But we supporters already knew Daniel Bell's limitations (awareness and speed) and had to watch Bailey learn that for himself over his first season. By round 15 Bell was back in the twos with the same problems he had shown through his first 4 years at the club. Similarly, I think we supporters know losing Sylvia is not that big a deal. He has limitations (speed and work ethic) which limit his impact on games on a regular basis. Maybe Freo will turn him into a Angus Monfries type at Port... but I doubt it. Either way, we might be marked down by some for losing him and getting Vince in his place, but for mine it is a big win for us. Despite Sylvia's tantalising traits (booming kick and good mark) he isn't an impact midfielder or a damaging forward. Vince is the mature gut running player we need right now.

© I think Col Garland is the strong silent type leader. His football rose to another level this year. Would handle it maturely and with actions speaking loudly and a few level headed words. Would love him in the role for the next 4-5 years. (VC) Jones is a champ battler. A great example to those around him, excellent vice captain.

Was surprised to learn that in the NFL the contracts can be torn up at any point. You don't perform you can be sacked that day. Contract is over, no more money. Super harsh on the players but geez it keeps them desperate.

The best thing about recruiting all these mids is the knowledge that they will have Clark and Hogan to kick it to! What an amazing injection of talent these two talls will be! They future finally is looking bright.

FB: Terlich T Mac Garland HB: Blease Frawley Grimes C: Watts Viney Tyson HF: Howe Hogan Trengove FF: Fitz Clark Kent Foll: Gawn Jones Vince Bench: Michie, Tapscott, Toumpas, (Pick 9) Emerg: Dawes, Clisby, McKenzie Part of me thinks Blease as creative half back could be the making of him. No instinct for defence but forward is harder so Roos can teach defence. If not him then Toumpas HBF ala Gibbs. How about that? Looks v strong down back. Need a quality small forward (Barry, Jurrah - Pick 2 PSD!). Midfield is still average for now but can be competitive, could add Cross in as well? I put Dawes 4th best tall and therefore out of the team. But he will be a solid, if expensive, replacement if one of our more talented talls goes down.

Shouldn't Darren Jolly should get a guernsey somewhere in this discussion?

Thanks Dees2014! Ok in the spirit of compromise, I will let go of Moloney. He seems happy enough up in Brisbane. And then when he plays against Melbourne he gets 40 touches and a couple of goals. That ship has sailed. But Gys is cheap gold. The Kangas have one of the best midfields in the AFL. Gys, a 21yo skinny mid, coming across with the stigma of a terrible environment is hardly going to tear up the park in his first year. Look at Majak Daw? Do you think he has potential? He plays with Gys in the North twos. Get Gys back for cheap and we back Paul Roos to grow him right.

Damn right it's a serious post. The group ridicule is amazing. Adams - Serious idea. Daniel Cross - Serious Mature A Grader - That is what pick 2 is for. A serious idea. Moloney and Gysberts: Try to bring them back! I have said since the moment it happened that Neeld's great clear out then 'Moneyball' tactic was unbelievably stupid. Moloney top ten in the brownlow the year before Neeld arrived. They guy can play. Gysberts has talent. Can play I swear it. Had back injuries in first year under Neeld. Neeld gave him away for Pederson. We only have one club champion on our list because we had a disaster of a coach and a vindictive CEO. I am not too ashamed to say I want them back.

I'm sure Roos and PJ can lure a few mids. Our forward line and back line is ready to go. I am hoping for; Adams (A-grade potential), * A genuine ready to go A-grader Gysberts (Cheap work in progress), Moloney (mature grunt), Cross (mature grunt) Would be a solid start. Throw in one more youngster and we will be well on our way to being breakeven competitive.

Hold on, it wasn't the players initially at Geelong. Geelong is an example of where the 'Leading Teams' concept was executed to perfection. The players famously became empowered by the process which was instigated... by management! Ablett became the champion we know and love and the true leaders spoke out and were supported and became footballing legends. Melbourne's leading teams report was hidden by Cam Schwab cos it criticised him. The senior players and coach were then systematically hunted down by the CEO and then booted by Neeld. Neeld brought hacks in and his coaching record speaks for itself - no scapegoating needed. Our leaders were delisted, demoted or had walked out by the time Dawesy walked in, and the playing list was all at sea. Of course players need to try hard, that is a given. But the point I was making is that with the level of rubbish heaped on them prior to Chris Dawes arrival (on an inflated salary for his moderate talent mind) it was a bit rich of Dawesy to start writing articles about how it's not the coaches and the players need to put in more effort. Just watch this space and see what 'effort' they muster with Peter Jackson and Paul Roos at the helm. With a supportive culture they wont know themselves.

Nope. Read up on the impact of 'culture' on organisations. The coaches are and bosses are paid the most for a reason. You can't tell me the players enjoy looking like fools week in week out? Players always desperately wanted to win, the tone is set from above and also the onfield leaders (culled by Neeld). Saying 'it's the players not trying hard enough' is to say that we may as well get rid of all coaches and management. Just watch them grow and bust a gut under Roos. Coach and CEO change has been what we have needed. We have that now, unfortunately it will take a little longer to show as it might've as Neeld tore holes in our list but anyway we are on the right track. Glad you agree with my other point thought that Dawes is only a small step above spud level.

Do a side by side Chris Dawes and Brad Miller over their careers. Same player, same statistics. 11-13 touches 1 goal per game. I'm guessing Dawes is better schooled, and obviously a stronger leader, because he has everyone thinking he is gods gift. There is a reason Pies let him go in favour of Q-Stick. Dawes is a servicable second string tall when we have injuries to our forward line talent - no more. (And I didn't like the way he stood up for Neeldy ad nauseum. Writing articles about how its all the players fault... laughably wrong in that situation)

Gysberts - Showed a lot of promise and composure under Bailey, was not given a go by Neeld. Difficult to break in to the very strong Kangas midfield. Come back and play hard for us and see how he goes. I feel it would be a big win for us if he came back for cheap.

Davey was our most effective player today, and is in general. 14 touches from him is worth 30 from most players. If only he had more time on the park these last two years! Did anyone notice that Davey 'dropped off' when Neeld arrived, and 'picked up' when Neeld got the sack? He was another one of the leaders who was disrespected, dropped and subbed. Didn't fit in Neelds stupid ideas about how to win games of football. Davey is still in the top 10 players on our list. He should have one more year to help Roos' gameplan become effective. Roos will need players who can hit targets.

Roos, Keneally, Ling, Tudor > Royal?

No one can fight the alluring draw of Peter 'Super-Mild' Jackson.