Norm Smith's Curse

I think Watts has a future but not on the wing and not in the forward 50.

their website eventually.

A number 1 draft pick who managed a 'benchmark' game that had no effect on the overall game other than a few passages of play. Im glad your satisfied with mediocrity but Ive had 34 years and after the last 6 years ive also had a gutfull... Honestly I think travis Johnstone had more impact on games while he was being derided. I dont blame Watts - he has come into a side full of players used to getting games whether they perform or not, and no one who can hang their hat on success or the confidence of that success. Watts like most at melbourne has heard all the bad press and has let it become a self fulfilling prophecy in his mind. Ive defended him for far too long as far as Im concerned. Number 1 draft picks usually show at least something occasionally to vindicate their selection. Im seeing players newer to the game and low selections breaking games open while Wattsie has a 'good game' by taking a mark or two.

Dustin Martin is the perfect type of player for a team like Melbourne, hardnut, uncomprimising mongrel. We just arent respected and players like that demand respect.

Buddy Franklin - mate im drinking to that dream...

All i can think is that we need a hardnut player to come in and remind the other players that you can influence the culture of a club.

Just thought Id throw this up: Assuming we were making an assessment of which players are required at the club, who would you keep based not only on the last two games - but perhaps the last few seasons?

You can tell them that they will be playing at Casey and have no part in the future direction of the club. Ive seen it happen many times.

Could be right, but Neeld is the right man. And if people say he has 'lost the players' then that says more about how the players think they can influence club and coaching decisions through poor performance - not exactly a professional or 'elite' mindset. And a culture that seems to have appeared after the arrival of Bailey, Connelly and Schwab.

i watched the game and I couldnt agree less. Watts did very little and seemed riddled with doubt. Howe took a few marks and Petterd was never there when he should have been. Rivers played well in the first half. Infact our defense was the only part of the game that we even showed a whimper...

You know its almost laughable that some at the club predicted a premiership in 2013.

Neeld has inherited a basket case and a culture where players get a go whether they perform or not. rather than a few half-arsed bans for Blease and Sylvia to try and instill a different culture, Id cut loose if i was Neeld and tell a few players that they're future at the club is nonexistent - i dont wnat to hear more 'home truths' that lead no where. heads must roll. i think the Bailey years are as far as I can see represent an unsuccessful rebuild, bad selections and the keeping of the wrong older players.

I posted this int he wrong thread... Try again Decisions in the last ten years or so that have given me the $%#^ and are some of the things that are perhaps behind where we are at: 1. Losing Jolly because we refused to give him enough game time 2. Giving too many seasons to the likes of Brad Miller and Travis Johnstone (just saw Brad Miller kick a goal for Richmond) 3. Losing Scott Thompson (although this wasnt a decision of ours to make) 4. Losing Robbo, Bruce and ofcourse Junior when we needed their leadership. 5. Selecting crap players - so many players in the last ten years have been delisted from our side after a few seasons and then never make it in the next side (be it West Coast or RIchmond). 6. Choosing Scully and trengove when we REALLY need hardarse with some spine in the middle to change the culture of the club (Dusty). Watts will never be the player he perhaps could have been because like most of Melb in the last six or so years the media hype gets in their heads and they let it become a self-fulfilling prophecy. And I never want to hear any player on our current list say that they 'bleed red and blue' - ive never once seen a melb player play like their life depended on it - I remember watching Braun and Cousins in the midfield vomiiting. And I remember reading that Scully was shocked by how lax many player's training focus and preparation was at melbourne. And it really annoys me that Scully is being so clearly vindicated. So typical of Melbourne. I hope that Tappscott and Gysberts with a bit of muscle on him can give something for Clark and young Viney to think positively about..

Decisions in the last ten years or so that have given me the $%#^ and are some of the things that are perhaps behind where we are at: 1. Losing Jolly because we refused to give him enough game time 2. Giving too many seasons to the likes of Brad Miller and Travis Johnstone (just saw Brad Miller kick a goal for Richmond) 3. Losing Scott Thompson (although this wasnt a decision of ours to make) 4. Losing Robbo, Bruce and ofcourse Junior when we needed their leadership. 5. Selecting crap players - so many players in the last ten years have been delisted from our side after a few seasons and then never make it in the next side (be it West Coast or RIchmond). 6. Choosing Scully and trengove when we REALLY need hardarse with some spine in the middle to change the culture of the club (Dusty). Watts will never be the player he perhaps could have been because like most of Melb in the last six or so years the media hype gets in their heads and they let it become a self-fulfilling prophecy. And I never want to hear any player on our current list say that they 'bleed red and blue' - ive never once seen a melb player play like their life depended on it - I remember watching Braun and Cousins in the midfield vomiiting. And I remember reading that Scully was shocked by how lax many player's training focus and preparation was at melbourne. And it really annoys me that Scully is being so clearly vindicated. So typical of Melbourne.

You cant polish a terd...

Well to look on the bright side if Melbourne do ever manage to stick around, rebuild and eventually (and looking increasingly unlikely) we do actually win a premiership my god am I and every Melbourne supporter going to celebrate. Such long suffering...

Gees I wonder what Neale Daniher would say.

Honestly I think there is something wrong with the team. Too many players have gone light years backwards. Im starting to think we have a mutiny on our hands.

We could get a few from Wang Magpies and they'd be stars compared to...

Bring back Angry Phil Read!

Perhaps the players just didnt or dont respect Bailey or Neeld - maybe we did need a coach that had been a hard-arse player.

Perhaps we could give the support staff a game?

Mitch Clark and Magner are the only players I'd keep in this side. I thought our list was poor when Daniher got the boot, but all bailey has done is put games into players that just dont cut it. I remember reading that Malcolm Blight sacked 16 players on arrival at North Melb. I think Neeld should do the same - I honestly believe that we wouldnt be any worse and at least if we got flogged afterwards people would know why. The following players have no future in a successful Melbourne FC: Bennell, Bartram, Bail, Davey, Morton, MacDonald, Blease and Watts. Stef Martin and Mark Jamar both had plenty of ordinary seasons before they showed a bit in a few, perhaps old habits have just returned.

Jonesy!

Is Mitch Clark our soul forward? geeeesss....