Demon Dynasty

I'm not so sure it's that easy. I believe he just might have some serious psychological baggage regarding where we play (ie., has admitted that the Demons seem to stand taller at the G and not at Etihad or away etc) and the hard tag that other teams now seem willing to place on him to shut him down and psyche him out of the contest. I realise he might be carrying an injury too. But for me there was more to it than injury alone this year. Physically, i have no doubts he could overcome any issues if he was willing to work hard for it. He obviously has in the past given some of the fine years he's produced prior to this year. And he no doubt has the talent. Just not convinced he's capable upstairs anymore.....and they say that a big part of the game is played there. Maybe Neeld can break this downer his on and help him through it with the right methods/processes/help etc. I guess we'll find out next year. However, if he's just not happy at the Demons (and i'm not saying he isn't....just assuming given what i've seen this season...body language/attitude) it might be best for both Davey and us to look to trade him, provided we get very good value.

One mighty post. With you all the way on this. He might not be a super star but he's given his all for this club and shown courage that many other players could have done well to follow over many a season. So the Captaincy didn't fit. We move on and let him play some good to very good footy as we all know he can next year. I'm sure he'll be a key part of Neeld's plans going forward in the short term (given he's now into his veteran years). One of the few reliable goal kickers in the team as well, albeit a bit of an off year this season. He'll bounce back under Neeld i'm sure.

G'day and welcome Finnson Your name wouldn't be Matthew by any chance??

I don't think Neeldy needs him either. However, as to whether he would like him as part of the team and see him as a big asset and a key part of whatever team he eventually puts together, who knows. Wise words. I'm becoming more confident in the Neeld appointment day by day. But the extra grunt, if we can fund it, would be invaluable in the sense that it may take some of the load off of Neeldy and allow him to fast track certain aspects of his training/development programs etc....and just might fast track the on field success a little earlier than if we didn't appoint a valuable senior assistant, such as Craig. A big emphasis on 'might' however. You would never really know if one option was better than the other, unless you ran the same coaching teams (1 with, and 1 without a senior assistant/mentor) together in a parrarell time continuum lol.

Out of 6 goals.... 5 goals 3 behinds. One of the best posts all year for mine Maldon! I would only change the 1 extra mid .... to 2 if we're able. 1 grunt in and under with top line agility, change of direction ability/agility and super quick reflexes (a la Kerr/Mitchel). 1 classy but solid made outsider with pace. This might be someone from existing stocks if they come on (eg., maybe Gysberts/Blease or Bail once they've had a few more pre-seasons). Both eventually need to become A graders if we're to taste some major success IMO with other existing mid fielders also lifting around them in the next few years under Neeldy. P.S. What are the chances of Blease growing into our play maker 'quarterback' over the next few years?

Has a nice ring i reckon Cheers Bazza

It does. Just wondering though, with his emphasis on "hardest team to beat" maybe a new nickname is in order. How about.... Mark (hard as) "Nails" Neeld Maybe from here we simply call him... "Nails" Out Bails. In... Nails!!

Yeh, about as imaginary as "Bails" B)

A big welcome and all the best to Neeldy in his new role. Thought he deserves his own post. Also for those who might be interested, a feel of what his style is like in a post match presser from NAB final from March...

I originally thought they should wait till the dust settled on RL's departure but i think you're right. Gives us better post presser exposure from more senior/respected critics as well with possibly a larger audience

No questioning his character. First class all the way. Hope he finds some success and his media stints continue into something special for him down the track.

Note sure about MM losing the fire. Still seems to want it although a year out might mellow him and change his outlook. Never know. I'm also chanting to Lucifer we get a solid Senior to support him like Craig. Be shattered if we don't. Your post is a good one though Davey. Nice work

Yep.....that's why i said in the thread above "if it is Neeld then i hope he gets serious Senior support".

Lol...doesn't even make sense given that's what we follow/play the game for. Might wanna sniff some smelling salts and rethink that line. Just seen one too many untried experiments at the MFC over 4 decades now..... If you think i don't crave success or a premiership as much as the next member then you're sadly mistaken. I hope whatever we do it works out a total success. I'm just more sceptical than some on here i guess and not as 'in awe' of the decision overall. A little like i was when Bailey was appointed but not as severe given we've had 4 years of some sort of development since then.

Also, i was lead to believe the sub-committee was set up initially as a "poach an experienced available coach" arrangement. Or was it? Not saying aim/structure/purpose of committee isn't flexible according to the changing circumstances and couldn't have changed over the weeks. But we apparently had a few weeks more time up our sleeves than FREEO (less $ options probably i realise).....yet didn't even manage to get an "informal" talk in with RL!!? Are we saying the only question we asked re RL breaking his contract or being able to, was the one Gazza asked on FC via Grant Thomas's interview with Nettlefold re the 'out clause' in RL's contract? And that was because.....umm...Gazza had the same management team...or we just didn't press further....or what exactly? If you rank Clarkson and put the approach to him by all accounts....surely you'd also want to have a chat with RL!!? Gazza's doing and may have done 'his best' under his circumstances but was it good enough for our circumstances i wonder? Still not convinced it was (is) what's needed at this time given our youth and the disaster that was 2011. Neeld maybe the best of the untried but who really can say until they've had 3 - 4 years at the helm with such a young crew. Easier when there's a few more pre-seasons into the boys like at North (Brad) and a dual premiership team in the Cats (Chris). For me this still smacks of an 'Old Boys Club' that's up against a bunch of modern day corporate animals, willing to push the envelope both legally and morally, whilst we sit around and ponder the field over a cigar or two using very 'traditional' methods and approaches. I realise Gazza wouldn't be putting up with the above as such but i'm not sure he would have had the time/capability to fully counter it and cut through it either, given all his other commitments (media etc). If it is Neeld i just hope he's surrounded by serious Senior support. Although i appreciate his background and all he might be bringing from the Filth, I'm fairly sceptical, and will be looking to see significant results on a consistent basis from 2013.

A bit like Brad Gotch

With Mick's recent statement that he feels the Demons will make the finals next year depending on the coach, and "i'll be watching with interest from the sidelines", with a wry smile and a wink, this makes complete sense as our likely option. If there is any such thing as sense in the AFL anymore lol. What a circus! Not saying i'm happy with it if it does come to fruition though. Prefer experience. Unfortunately the final "apparently available" experience option has landed in Perth. Not that these are the only two possibilities, but I'm thinking Neil Craig as Senior Assistant given that Gazza aint a big fan of Eade apparently. However, I'd be very surprised if this came to light in an official sense before next week, given all the media hype and focus surrounding the Lyon to Freo issue and elimination finals this weekend.

I'll be celebrate with you if we land the big one lol

Haha.....lets hope the mouse you're referring to has a fair amount of 'Rat Cunning' to boot! I want that cheese!

Garry made a point of saying we are on track re our coaching appointment and specifically made of point of saying "to the supporters who would be concerned out there, not to worry, everything's on track" or something to that effect. He said something else before that that caught my attention as well but can't recall (sign of old age lol). Reading between the lines, he was almost saying "don't worry demonoids....we're well on the path to securing who we were after....all is in order". Did i misinterpret this?

You mean up sh&t creek, in a canoe... without a...

Lyon's probably getting a few bars of that in his show bag too! Maybe we should recall Diamond Jo! Our new sub-committee member

Hope you know something WYL..... i'm gonna bloody brain you if we don't!

Touche' Rhino

Without doubt. Money talks..... And he probably had to go it alone. His management group could hardly discuss it whilst also representing the coach he was about to replace. How else could he have done it i wonder. Sack his (relatively new) management and appoint another in the space of a few weeks and try and involve them in the dealings whilst maintaining secrecy as well. Highly improbable. Still.....not a good look. Saints will be reeling and pretty bloody furious once the dust settles.