Hannabal

For some reason whenever I think of Bailey I think of Brian Taylor's funny quip on Foxtel from the Brisbane game. The camera scanned to Bailey coaching on the sidelines and leaning on one of the shelters. I believe we were behind at the time. Taylor mused "Dean looks like he's waiting for a bus". It sort of summed things up for me.

That term had a different connotation when I was a kid.

I first saw Rockliff at the G playing for Vic Country and he was fantastic. He kicked 4 goals and moved and marked well. The recruiters knew he could play. From memory he trained with us before the RD. The query on him was what position will he play at AFL level. He was considered to be a mid sized forward and it's a tough gig for those players. History has shown that he's done very well as a half back and now midfielder. But one thing people need to start realising, the RD is a great recruiting tool. Clubs expect their rookie players to develop into AFL players otherwise they wouldn't recruit them. Some players are more likely to be taken in the RD as opposed to the ND, but the expectation from clubs once they're at the club is the same.

This includes you. What do you like about his coaching ?

That's all kind of nice and cute except Todd Viney confirmed in an article that the club hasn't spent much time on gameplan and strategy but rather individual development of the players. The reason given was that we're not in premiership mode. Nor are Essendon, but they clearly have a different view on how to get a team in premiership mode. And unless being hopelessly vulnerable against the forward press in 2011 is going to win a flag in 2014 then I'd suggest we need to reconsider our direction. Wouldn't you ?

Because he was 34 and we needed to start developing our young mids.

Because he applied for the same position as Bailey and as a former senior coach he decided to keep himself at arm's length from the onfield playing side of things. He's been great in organising Casey Fields, promoting the club, getting rid of our debt and increasing membership. Waste your energies on other members of the FD.

You're well meaning, but you're speaking rubbish.

If Dunn is selected this week Bailey is on the take.

You seem to be deliberately ignoring the fact that Connolly has nothing to do with our gameplan or player development. Connolly has been superb for this club.

You surprise me. Clubs do have different gameplans, although many only vary at the edges. I was listening to SEN today and one of the commentators spoke of an interview they had done with Lappin, who's now an assistant at Collingwood but last year was with Carlton. Lappin stated that at Carlton the gameplan was focussed on attack, but at Collingwood the gameplan is focussed on defence. He was surprised at the difference. As for 2.5 from 5 ? You should consider a career in politics if spin is your go. Melbourne has the dubious honour of having statistically the two worst quarters of footy so far this year - the third against Hawthorn and the first against WC, although the last against WC would have to be right up there. 21 inside 50's for WC and 3 for Melbourne. It's extraordinary - and very gameplan driven. They're worse than any quarters put out by the Suns, or Port, yet you're highlighting a sham win/loss record off a couple of hollow wins ? But as Todd Viney says, "we haven't concentrated much on gameplan and strategy this year". Incredible.

Yes, I've been brewing to this point for some time, but I doubt that anyone could say I went early when one considers he's in his fourth year. If it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck there's a fair chance it is. Btw, as you know, every coach in history expects to be sacked at some point. Some get out early like Roos, but if they stay long enough the axe will fall. The great Norm Smith was sacked briefly. So I don't take too much notice of snippets of unrest on supporter forums. Over 9 years I've often been moderate in my views on Daniher and Bailey. This situation is different. Btw, Worsfold has worked hard on their set-up over summer and it's paying dividends. He and Malthouse at least have some silverware, so I won't take too much notice of the times they've been under heat. It goes with the territory. Other than pruning the list and playing kids Bailey has shown nothing.

No disrespect, but post # 245 eats yours.

You should. Have a read of Garry Lyon quotes in today's age. He laments Melbourne's high risk high reward gameplan and talks of West Coast's organisation and excellent structures. Blind Freddy can see that we have the worst gameplan in the game.

Don't talk to me about hindsight pal. I've just bumped a Darling thread for you.

(Massive bump) Was I wrong ? Funnily enough, about 3 posts before the one I've quoted we have that oracle RPFC stating how Darling is too short. Some people just don't have a great grasp on footy. But you're a funny guy, RP. #thumbs up#.

That's all great, but be careful about changing your tune when he's not reappointed as coach. You're hitching your wagon to someone who could not have done a worse job in 4 years. He turned the list over. So what ? Everyone would have done it. He tanked. So what ? It had to be done. He's had a couple of good performances against Collingwood (without winning). So what ? Matty Knights got Essendon into the finals in 09 and beat Collingwood. There's nothing he's done that has been a revelation. I like to think that I'm rational too and don't make kneejerk responses, but 4 years is a pretty decent sample size. The guy's game plan and ability to get the players ready for game day stinks.

Are you into S&M ?

Our terrible gameplan was first evident in the Essendon NAB Cup match. We were completely disorganised at the kick ins and had no idea where to run or how to defend when we didn't have the ball. Nothing has changed and I firmly and squarely blame Bailey. Let's cut to the chase. He has a pox gameplan and has been completely caught off-guard over summer. Alistair Clarkson realized after round 6 last year that the game had changed and they'd been caught unawares. They changed their gameplan from that moment on. I knew that we'd been caught unaware a month ago and haven't seen one change in our gameplan. I've been patient, but it's fair to say that in his FOURTH year I don't think I'm going early when I say he's sh#t. Read this article by Gerard Healy dated 25 February. It's titled "Pressing issues for Bailey". Hmm, nice play on words there. Here tis: http://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-premiership/melbourne-demons-must-overhaul-their-defensive-structure-ahead-of-2011-afl-premiership-season/story-e6frf3e3-1226012075391 Low and behold two months later and NOTHING has changed. The guy is a joke.

It can't be all mindset. It's also because we don't structure up properly. It was first evident in the Essendon NAB Cup match. We were completely disorganised at the kick ins and had no idea where to run or how to defend when we didn't have the ball. Nothing has changed and I firmly and squarely blame Bailey. Let's cut to the chase. He has a pox gameplan and has been completely caught off-guard over summer. Alistair Clarkson realized after round 6 last year that the game had changed and they'd been caught unawares. They changed their gameplan from that moment on. I knew that we'd been caught unaware a month ago and haven't seen one change in our gameplan. I've been patient, but it's fair to say that in his FOURTH year I don't think I'm going early when I say he's sh#t. Now Snoopster, read this article by Gerard Healy dated 25 February. It's titled "Pressing issues for Bailey". Hmm, nice play on words there. Here tis: http://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-premiership/melbourne-demons-must-overhaul-their-defensive-structure-ahead-of-2011-afl-premiership-season/story-e6frf3e3-1226012075391 Low and behold two months later and NOTHING has changed. The guy is a joke.

Good summation. Also, we're a very poorly organised football side that doesn't have any idea how to handle zones or the forward press. We were constantly out-numbered around the ball in every part of the ground.

Green - it's over Brad Jones - just a plodder Bartram - another C grader Watts - had a go Gysberts - will get better Bennell - must have photos Frawley - shadow of 2010 Trengove - sorry for him Morton - insipid Sylvia - turned toes up Dunn - makes me puke Grimes - mistakes, but tried Garland - our best player Moloney - gave us nothing Jurrah - wasn't his fault Rivers - a liability Wonaeamirri - yeah nah Martin - provides comic relief Tapscott - see Jurrah Davey - very soft underbelly Jamar - beaten by best Bail - exposed again

How often do we get blown out of the water in the first quarter at Subi or Aami ? It has felt like Groundhog day for years.

Melb needed to get everything right in order to win a flag when it embarked on its rebuild in 2008. The 2008 draft is looking like a nightmare considering we went into the draft in a better position than any other club and last year we had the opportunity to draft Darling at pick 12. Cook may end up a nice player, but we took a project player when Darling is a plug and play gun who will only get better. I kept reading on here that he's not tall enough, that he's only 191cms and my response was that if he's good enough he's tall enough. Guess what ? When I was growing up we used to be [censored] because of zones. Hawthorn had a great one and we had a [censored] one. Now we need to rely on the draft as well as player development. The club needs to start making the right moves.

You're funny. I call it as I see it whatever the circumstances. Can you say the same ? I doubt you and the word "bravado" have ever been confused. LOL But Bobby, I'm happy to hang it on the line. What have I said that you disagree with ? You have 9 years of material to work with.