Jaded No More

Leaders are born, not made. You either have it, or you don't, and age or experience often have little to do with it. With experience comes knowledge which may better your leadership skills, but no amount of time will ever create a leader out of someone who just isn't one.

We don't take advise from journalistic heroes, but I can understand where they are coming from. It is rather odd that a relatively young side, which has only recently culled a large number of 'over the hill' players, has appointed such an old leadership team. Worst still, is the re-introduction of some older players who have been given the opportunity to lead before and failed. They were promoted again, ahead of younger more promising kids. And it's January and there's absolutely nothing worth writing about. There's a reason why Stephen Rielly writes about football and doesn't coach a football team.

This topic should be revisited in Round 22... or better yet, after we win the flag* *Disclaimer: flag not guaranteed

Neita: Pst+ Our best leader. Well equipped to handle the media in a big year for the club. Respected and loved by all. Ngt- Possibly his last season. Injuries have ruined his last few campaigns. Brock: Pst+ The successor. Leads by example on the field. Ngt- Needs to lead by example off the field. Junior: Pst+ A great role model and won the last 2 Blueys. Plenty of experience. Ngt- Possibly his last season. Robbo: Pst+ Much loved senior player who, despite injuries, has performed adequately each season. Plenty of experience. Ngt- Should be concentrating on his form Bruce: Pst+ When on song, a very good player and is at the perfect age bracket to lead the club. Plenty of experience. Ngt- Should concentrate on hitting some targets Miller: Pst+ Strong, aggressive and leads by example Ngt- Can't really get a kick... or a game (in which to lead by example) Yze: Pst+ Skillful. Plenty of experience. Ngt- Poor application for a number of years now. Dropped from the leadership group for a reason. So that's it really. There are positives and negatives for every choice made. At the end of the day, the choice was left up to the players, and that IMO is the only mistake that's been made here. It's dangerous letting a bunch of 'friends' pick leaders, there is far too much bias involved. However, we owe Dean Bailey and his new team some patience. This is the way the club chose to conduct their leadership search, and so be it. If it fails, things will change in 2009. The thing that worries me, is how are we going to change our culture, when the main culprits from the past are back in charge? I would hope that we are trying to be the opposite of what some of our senior players have represented in the last few years. And where does the 'Under 23' policy fit in, when the leadership group is comprised mainly of over 28's? What will happen next year when Neita, Junior and Yze are possibly gone? Eventually we'll be forced to introduce a young leadership team, but it would be nice if, when the time comes, we could have a group ready to go. At the moment, it looks to me like McLean is the only youngster anyone rates. Certainly I think most of us would have preferred to see Jones, maybe Bell, maybe Rivers be included in this group, over some other individuals. Perhaps following the leadership camp they had in China, it was decided that they are just not yet ready. Or perhaps, as we've done in the past, a secondary 'young leadership' team will be introduced again, and given minor duties to try and develop their leadership skills further. At the end of the day, you can have 7 Neitas and that still won't win you a premiership. Each individual player should lead the club in their own way, and it is up to the whole group to set the right example, from first year players, to our oldest and most experienced. Having 7 leaders is completely pointless, as you might as well have 20. With Neita in charge, and everyone else pulling their weight, we can thrive and succeed whether Yze or Miller or Green are or aren't given the title, and yes it is just a title, of 'leader'. P.S.- Brad Green is VERY VERY stiff to miss out from an outsiders point of view.

What a very strange leadership group! Yze? Robbo? Miller? No Green? It's a very 'old' leadership group, and Green is very stiff to miss out. Still, Neita being captain and Brock being in the leadership group is all that really matters.

Obviously we cannot control injuries, but we can reduce the risk of them occuring. There is nothing more frustrating than a player suffering a long term injury in a meaningless pre-season game. That was my point.

That's not entirely true. I would like to see our senior players played on a rotational basis in the pre-season games, be it the NAB competition or regional games. This will ensure that all senior players get to have a game under their belt, but are less exposed to injuries. Players like Neitz, White and Robbo don't necessarily need the experience of playing in the pre-season, and if they get injured we're well and truly stuffed.

Thanks for the report. Excellent news about Rivers resuming full training! Any word on Bartram's progress?

and no injuries.

Hey, I never asked to see a close-up of Carroll's crotch, seeing his disgraceful new haircut is disturbing enough! Great photos otherwise. Cheers!

There's a size limit to attachments, which is why it's better to embed the pictures using the first method. If you have anymore issues, PM me the link to where you've uploaded the photos and I'll embed them for you.

To post pictures, you can either upload your photos onto a free site like photobucket.com and then click on the 'insert image' button in the 'add reply' screen. You then have to put in the URL of the photo you want to post. Alternatively, you can save the photos on your computer and attach them. Directly under the writing area, there is section called Attachments. Click on the 'browse' button, select the photo and click 'upload'. Sorry if that doesn't make much sense, but I don't know how else to explain it.

Amen! Maybe finally he'll be given equal opportunity to cement a spot in the senior team. If he fails, so be it, but he shouldn't be left wondering, the way he has been the last few years.

Ugh, that is a horrible horrible show and now thanks to Robbo I'll have mysterious forces urging me to switch to Ch. 7 and watch what can only be described as pure rubbish! :D

I actually agree with you about proving himself off the field. I think he'll be just fine on the field and that last year's performance was due mainly to injury. I don't however agree that Jones is ahead of him, as Brocky suggested. Jones needs to back up his great 07 season first. Having said all that, I would be thrilled if both of these boys made it into the leadership group this year as they are both natural leaders.

Demonland will usually have links to any articles of interest, but I always read The Age first because we get it at home and it occupies me while I have coffee (and nothing else gets done before coffee).

I love Dean Bailey! I know he hasn't won a single game for us yet, but I love him. I love his attitude, I love his philosophies and I wish I believed in anything as much as he believes in the game of AFL and this club. Can't wait till the footy starts again!

That made me laugh so hard! Cheers for the report.

Good question. I rang the club a while ago and was told we'll be getting the season guide along with stickers early in the year. Hopefully this means we'll be getting them soon, and hopefully they won't fade like previous years. Am getting a new car tomorrow and can't wait to destroy the paint with Melbourne stickers

Spot on. If there is one thing I really want to see Dean Bailey achieve, it's consistency consistency consistency. We are unrealiable and all over the place. That's exactly why so many of us can't agree on how we'll perform in 2008... nobody knows.

I doubt anyone of us is expecting that! But DB said there will be no limitations put on the team this year, and that means that anything can happen. We certainly have the on-field talent (when un-injured) to scramble 11/12 wins together next season. Can we even think of 8 other teams that have a definitively better list, and who are certainties to make the finals ahead of us? I can think of 4 at most.

Why shouldn't we? We made finals in 2006 and our list has not got worse, in fact, with natural improvement from the likes of Jones, McLean, Bate, Petterd, Dunn, Newton, Buckley etc... our list is looking healthy and capable. Apart from Neita and possibly White, most of our senior players should continue to produce at about the same level. Why are people choosing to remember the horrible, injury-ravaged year we had in 2007, and not the 3 years in which we played finals footy? It wasn't too long ago that we were sitting pretty in the top 4, before some ordinary losses saw us drop to 7th... I understand that as Melbourne supporters we tend to expect the worst outcome, but this lack of belief in the team is really frustrating.

Absolutely terrible news. He was probably the best commentator going around. Condolences to his family and friends!

I vaguely remember that Dunn completed the run in 9 minutes something

Most airlines won't give you a refund, but many will transfer your 'credit' to another flight. Maybe see if you can fly to Melbourne for a game instead. I recommend Queens Birthday... you get a finals atmosphere, plus a free trip to the zoo :D