Demonsterative

Give it time Bitter. It may not work out but at least we have a greater opportunity with better personal and greater resources.

The difference is a different recruitment dept, and a coaching/development structure designed to bring players on. We also have a fitness guru who can help develop individuals fitness. This is why players like Trengove have struggled this year. With the amount of work being put into past high draft picks and the possibiity of 1,2 11 and Viney I have more faith the club will develop a few stars and some excellent A grade players The issues of the past with recruitment and development cannot be compared. We are a different club to last year

Lets face it. The draft is our Grand Final. I would rather 1st than 3rd. Sponsors, kids supporting us, memberships etc wont make a difference with our current play/state of affairs. At least we can sell a bright future with our current drafts picks/players and the potential for a bright future with this yrs crop. Either way, one draft can make a huge difference especially when you have 3 first rounders and the possibility of Viney in the 2nd round (if it eventuates) Also, WYL, everyone knows your stance on this matter. No need to go on about it

The other question is, Can Neeld develop Tappy and make a player of him? Too much talk of players fitting into Neelds plan and not enough talk of the coaching group developing players to fit this plan and building individual skills. The resources are there and i expect player development across the board. I have heard nothing to suggest Tappy is working against the clubs change in philosophy, game plan and fitness regime. He should be developed and become a better player with the resources the club has.

I think McLean's behaviour is in bad taste. He is a Carlton player talking in bad taste against his old club. Why doesn't the tribunal rule apply in this case. that is not throwing a player under the bus. Why is he throwing the club under the bus. He knows this could put the club under scrutiny via the media and/or the AFL. This is the second time he has done this. Bruise free football comments and now the tanking issue. He has issues with the club, a bit Sheedy like IMO I'm not sure why he is making dangerous comments like this.

Any good leader of any organisation will identify talent or recognise when some one is struggling and provide support and mentoring when needed. Im sure Jones does this anyway and Connors could provide good service if shown the way. It could be the making of a leader and their project. At least get Connors to the club to train with the club pre season. Get a good look at him and see if there is some hope. Everyone deserves a chance. If the club believes there is a chance I'll trust their judgement either way. I believe the club will discuss him at some stage.

Jones is already part of the leadership group. He has other responsibilities and does them well.

If he gets to the PSD or late ND pick like Sellar, he is worth the risk. Allocate him a Big Brother type, like Jones to get or keep him on track.

Given our list woes. Is he worth a risk? I'm divided as our leadership/culture may not be suited to changing his ways. But he can play and we need players who can make an immediate impact. He has upside and downside.

What about a player who cant kick!!! An under 5 yo has a better kicking action!!. Its embarrassing that Spencer is on our list. Seriously the guy looks like a freak show circus guy kicking a football for the first time. Things are bad with our recruiting when the club picks up a guy that kicks like him and doesnt develop his kicking action. It goes back to the age ole question, recruitment or development. He is not a premiership player, he isnt even a final player

Congratulations Brad, You have etched yourself in history at the oldest football club in the world. A very very good player at your peak and a great clubman.

Without being a medico, i would imagine doctors could manage Fitzty's diabetes to allow him to train and play football. Especially now its been diagnosed. FWIW, I think delistings will depend on who the club can recruit/trade into the club and its for this reason all contract negotiations are delayed until Oct. If the club cant recruit/trade a few 23 to 26 yr old moneyball midfield types players then one of Dunn and Bate will stay. My guess Dunn will be spared before Bate. The midfield experiment with Bate has failed abysmally and Dunn is performing better as a Utility. Anyone who thinks Cook and Gys are in danger are dreaming. They may be traded for another player of worth, but they wont be delisted. IMO opinion Bennell and Batram are gone. Injuries signed their release. Sellar is another one who is safe. He has performed admirably in defense. People tend to forget the guy has played 20 or 30 odd games. Couch was listed as Rookie for his in close clearance abilities for the young ones to learn from. Form dictated his promotion but his athletic abilities are very limited and dont transfer into an AFL player. Couch to go Magner to stay. Another year in the system and better fitness and coaching resources will mean Magner will improve. IMO Neeld is playing alot of fringe players to see their worth for developing the list beyond this season. I read somewhere that Mission wont be putting too much effort in the mid range to senior players with thier fitness as their long term capabilities do not allow for too much development. It seems to me that Neeld and Mission are hell bent on developing the younger ones in a different manner to Bailey. Get them fit, teach them skills before giving them games. I just hope Neeld knows what he is doing. The club is dependant on the Neeld/Mission combination. Mission has the runs on the board to warrant some trust, Neeld doesn't

Thanx BB59 I always enjoy reading you on EVERY thread. I respect your prof opinion on this and look forward to your posts on EVERY other thread

'You Werent In love With Me' Its the song where "Blind Freddie' started seeing all the problems and advances within the MFC. Its the song in which people on here state they have a close relationship with Freddie. Coz Blind Freddie talks to some posters on here and he sees things others cant, and its blindly obvious that everyone should see. I love Blind Freddie. He is such a source og information

If this is the case OD, I hope we get some one good, not a B garder. We are full of B and C grade Midfielders, whilst Gys could gives us A grade performances. I have the feeling the current coaches recognise his talents and will un leash him next year when his fitness gets better. This year is all about seeing who is up to the task from our 24 year old and overs.

Compare Gys to Watts at the same time (game wise) and Gys has it all over Watts. Gys averages just over 20 possessions per game and he has only played 15 to 20 games. I think he has been the most impressive high draft pick player we have. He has gone missing this year due to poor fitness. I would think that Mission and Neeld would be pumping fitness into him to unleash him when he has the fitness to compete at AFL level. Gys is the example when Neeld talks about 'pumping games into players who do not deserve it'. Its his fitness that hiolds him back only If Bailey was at the helm Gys would be competing at AFL level without the fitness to play/compete. Neeld refuses to do this as it could ruin his confidence and hinder his overall development. I like that he has been playing in the midfield for Casey. He is still learning to play against men and building a motor for AFL level. Couch and Magner have moved in front of Gys as they have better fitness and the strength to compete against the better teams. They have massive less upside than Gys and the club wont waste his talenbts by trading him. Unless the offer is on the table that will net us an experienced moneyball player.

Putting Neeld under pressure for his job is pre mature, but he has been under whelming so far.and needs to lift. I expect to see individual development. Why has Trengove gone backwards and Dangerfield is excelling under a coach who was seen as Neelds equal/contemporary. I have seen some development in some players, but overall too many have gone backwards I expect to see a better defensive plan. We are too easily scored against and are unable to stop the flow of better teams (this includes lowly teams like Bris etc). I also expect to see a better offensive game plan that alows a spread and creativity within individuals. Neeld always said we could be offensive and there is a need to be better defensively. I'm seeing neither at this stage. Only patches too far in between. I want better skills. We now have the resources!!! its not too much to ask with 7 coaches!!! I dont except that we dont have the cattle. Neeld took us on knowing what he would get. He should enhance our players and club, not hide behind excuses. Nor should supporters. the Swans make the most of their abilities why shouldnt we!

I dont think its fair to accuse Stuie of not supporting the coach or club. FWIW i agree that Neeld and co need to be assessed just like all other parts of the club. The cold hard fact is that Neeld is not performing to the level i would expect. This does not mean i dont support the club or Neeld, but expect results and im not seeing them.

i see statement but no reason or information

It was a sad end at the MFC followed by a sader end today. He deserves more in retirement and would have got it as a Demon. It makes me wonder and reflect how bad the Bailey years were. Modern (MFC) greats at other clubs and a complete rebulid (culture, fitness and game plan) after the promised rebulid. Damn the Careers section in the Age. <sigh>

Could it be worth offering Davey a 2 yr contract to the end 2014 that is alot less than his current one yr contact for next yr, but slightly over the one year left on next yrs contract. It gives Davey an extra year, a little bit more money, but alot less moula for next yr (more value next yr for his current output). He is only 29 yrs old The writing is on the wall he wont get a contract past next yr. Other clubs wont want to touch him after 2013 due to 2 bad yrs, and it opens the coffers for recruitment next yr and beyond.

Geelong lived off a strong leadership group for a decade. Jones is a welcome, valuable part of this group. Leave the leadership group as is. The club needs stability in many areas and the leadership group is not one that needs fixing. It just needs development

I would say sheehan is a 18 yo KPP who is a project player and not ready to play AFL physically. He has shown good form at Casey at times, but it would be negligent to play him as he is a child playing against men at VFL standard, imagine AFL standard!!!! Also, the club has a fitness program on many levels. As the players were grossly under done when Mission came on board and the players are still in a hard fitness load/program during the season affecting their capabilities on game day. 2ndly, if a player does come from a serious injury (as with players you have noted) the club has a policy that player will complete a mini pre season building a fitness base before they are considered for selection. Each player is assessed differently according to their own program. For eg, Gysberts has performed badly in endurance and needs to hit a minimum standard before he even becomes an option, whilst Tom McDonald has a natural fitness base the Gys doesnt. Skill and talent are secondary to fitness. No point contributing to more injuries playing a talented player. Another good example is Sam Blease playing sub many times, his fitness base is borderline but talent is very high Sorry - long winded response OD, but important to why some of our more talented players are playing for Casey and Bate and Dunn are playing. You could also add Neeld is seperating the wheat from the Shaft. (think thats how the saying goes?#*).

I'm not sure what your saying Thaipantsman. Jurrah wont play again but cut and paste your same post for after his next game??? Time to pick up the boys, give em a home and put on some tight pants

MY point being is that we need to get rid of our fringe player and bring in others that will perform better. Our current fringe players would not get a game in any other club Spencer = Spud Bate - is he a midfielder or mid sized forward. He is definately SLOW Petterd - slow doesnt kick goals at Casey and cant get a game in the AFL McKenzie - slow and not an attacking midfielder. Poor skills Joel Mc - poor skills and brain fades Fitzpatrick - poor skillsw. Good athlete but is he a good footballer Dunn - midfielder, tagger or KP Bennell - doesnt know how to get the pill Im sick of a midfield that has over sized slow players with bad skills. Bate and Dunn are ovewrsized players who were recruited as KPP. Now we train them to be midfielders. They are not Goodes (obviously) Im sick of our KPP being undersized 192cm players playing against gorillas. Rivers, Garland. Frawley in only 193cm. Get rid of the fringe players and recruit better fringe player. Use low picks to trade, or off load the dead wood ive named. We need to over haul our list to get a better balance.