dpositive

Billy Stretch??? The forgotten player. Does his position on your chart identify a weakness in your otherwise sound analysis?

We do need an irony font. But seriously, why would a person leaving be placed in such a representative position. i reckon it could be an indicator that he stays. Personally I don't care that much. The whole squad needs a real change of attitude and approach. None of them should be looking at wage increases until they win a flag. I don't know how popular most of our players would be to any other club they have proven nothing. Every one has potential but few have shown it consistently.

Apparently he's the fastest at the club? The "face" of the club at GF? OR was that his opportunity to increase his salary? You know, win this Frosty and you go up a pay grade, lose and you don't?

Best of the lot Rusty.

Thanks blokes .Would like it if my prediction is proven but like all demon supporters wouldn't put money on it

GWS must win this year. As the AFL. (love child) investment vehicle , it is important that they provide a positive example (return) as inspiration for the invasion into NSW. So it is important that eye get this out of the way before Melbourne is allowed to begin their reign of superiority built on years of failure. GO GWS THEN GO DEES

Perhaps Dlanders could prepare a list of questions. They could be refined through comment to ensure no Dorothy Dix answers and an insistence on answers from the club not from other Dlanders. This can be done to allow those of us who are a bit remote and cannot attend an opportunity to have our question directed to the club.

Yes Drunkn Dec has achieved more than many and his dedication and perseverance did reap some small reward. His game was memorable and it's a pity he could not become one of our regular top players. I hope he continues to ply his trade and can enjoy the game at any level. I also hope both he and you continue your passion for the red and blue through more than occasional visits. Your comments tinged with the insiders perspective we're always wonderful and in no way condescending to us less favoured . You also never betrayed any insider confidence although I imagine you had some. Please continue to give your forthright opinion as I always welcomed it. We have had many years of disappointment but indeed our hearts still true, I am hoping you both will provide us with some personal thoughts as we all continue our journey. You will always be welcome in Beechworth and if you identify yourself at Tanswells I am sure there will be some crazed demon supporter to shout you that drink. I hope it's me.

Not sure of the Maxwell type option as your own last suggestion also indicates. However that last option does have real merit. Any imports must be introduced with genuine and transparent directions to themselves and teamates.They must be able to absorb and enhance existing leadership personalities.

I may still hoping we can create a new model. Our young list was just too young. But we have now had a chance to expose the really underdone to the big time ( and found a few,Fritsch,Petty, Hore, Sparrow and a few others ) who now know what they need to do. Weed was really just too light and needed another season to grow into a heavier model. We have a good collection of heavier bodies nowTmac, May, Lever, with the Trac Oliver, Brayshaw young talented but no longer a surprise to opponents, but they are talented enough to lift and with players around them providing space and support they can take the next step and provide a solid core. Towering above them all Max with Pruess to provide a cut out support tapman. Jones can provide visible evidence of how hard it can be and instil the required passion even if he spends most time at Casey unless he earns it. Goodwin doesn't play favourites and uses the whole squad based on the solid core having rotational support and maybe even rest, depending on the opposition. Well that's all it takes blind optimism. I hope that the draft is used for future consolidation and not a messiah and we can pick up someone who will support our existing and not create a new schism between the group who should now be embarrassed and hungry to return to the top echelon in the league. We all deserve better than 17th

Good idea but would probably scare the horses!

Has already had a response but would add that this was perhaps a great endorsement of why some sort of mission statement is valuable. Players should not have to go behind anyone's back , this inclusiveness and transparency should be stated and recognised. I think Goodwin handled it badly and perhaps has and is overcompensating since, but maybe he also needs to have a clearly communicated statement underpinning actions. we saw the Essendrug outcomes where players were not included as equals in the mission, and not included in a transparent fashion. And yes sometimes the productive outcome (teaching dynamic) needs to be modified to match the capacity and capabilities of the resources.

Not sure I get your point Smokey. Your low level design documentation would be a mission statement. Probably effective if communicated and applied consistently. Have seen some design documentation which resulted in disasters however so perhaps greater consideration can be required in some circumstances.

Exactly correct. Fd may be a resource to make sure we do not adopt the unsuccessful approaches you have identified.

Yes Mono an excellent place to start but as Sue says all footy clubs have that as an aim. If that needs to reinforced at MFC maybe that is where we should concentrate. How and what methods we use may be required. I think Essendon had that aim but it didn't quite work out due to being just a tad simple in their mission tactics.

Good point Sue All insurance companies are pretty identical but distinguish themselves to achieve their own goal with the people iit wants to include. All footy clubs want to win the flag. How they do that is what forms the mission statement which establishes the methods that will be used. Their worth is only recognised by the return to be achieved. I would suggest that the worth would not be announced or attributed directly but successful organisations continue to search for something that will differentiate them from their competitors and would not invest in this sort of exercise if their was no return. if consistent and transparent aims are identified anfd result in consistent coherent and effective action it is valuable. Where a1% difference matters this type of effort can be very valuable.

Ding there is much in this response that needs further discussion I hope I have respondedto your points. This is pretty complex stuff that probably needs deeper consideration. Would love to sit amongst all on this thread to discuss this topic, it is unlikely that we will solve our clubs woes but hopefully would reinforce our passion.

Wow! Thanks all, the level of comment show the difficulty with this sort of stuff, and the levels of knowledge and experiences within our supporters groups. Some really good content from Fd and Df which while not providing direct answers to some questions which would require lengthy and almost forensic detail. i would urge the sceptics to think about the outline that Fd introduced and examine their own experiences against the options presented. some of the jargon, buzz words and wankery are just that, but are no less a statement than the simplistic or basic action responses. Whatever is agreed can be stated, you can call it a mission statement or an aim or a goal whatever once you identify that you can examine some actions to achieve it. You can call it buy in, co operation or team work whatever, Choose your buzz words from any dictionary but make sure you communicate them clearly and consistently. It becomes nstinctive if you live them but at least it must be transparent at the work place. Football teams are an excellent environment, small enough, with enough emotional altruistic desires to more easily control the actions of its members. i look forward to progress and hope the club considers the views of knowledgable and passionate supporters while it reviews the actions it will take to success.

Was going to add some thoughts but needed to be separated from previous response. These are young blokes who have been insulated from a lot of reality. That's fine, but they need to aware of their fortunate position, the challenges included and their responsibilities. They are a young and talented group who have shown that they can play outstanding passages. They must now sustain their efforts, reward their supporters including sponsors and realise their potential. They must play as a group and give 100% all the time, aware that they will be replaced by someone in the squad who will replace them if they do or can not. This should not be seen as threatening but a fact to insure their own success. Its a challenge for the coach to use the whole squad and come up with structures or patterns that use all the squad at appropriate times. Training should be at a tempo and intensity so that the structures and patterns are instinctive in every player. I would like to see a retention of "chaos ball" but add "churn" where players constantly revolve around both creating space and covering opponents. Not matched against a specific player Or defending space but creating confusion in opponents by moving to and covering opportunities. This should be instinctive and can only work by knowing your teammates capabilities intimately. Know who is faster or slower than their opponent, who will kick it short or long, who will handpass , who will turn, be flexible through knowledge of each other, support each other and reap team results. Thats all for now.

Great points. Some harsh truths need to be shared with the players.

Thank goodness. I have been blaming my inconsistent attendance. Although in truth my presence was rarely acknowledged with wins.

Best people and winning aura are essential BUt NOT HIRD under any circumstances. And even when appointed must be embraced by players and all coaches etc. Lewis was an interesting example as was Cross, those two should be still at the club. But it ain't that simple.

Your humour is possibly a meaningful response. A review which focuses on the obvious disconnections mentioned by the coach countless times are the most significant. Theplayers and coaches were all progressing then in WA at prelim all fell apart. Maybe they all got a bit serious and forgot about the freedom that lightheartedness gives. I reckon the problems are in the head and need to be addressed as much as physical conditioning and game plans. Identifying players emotional traits can identify their responses to circumstance. Combining the right balance of motion and physical and communicating that structure is an important part of the coach/es connecting.

Not just working into space but making space. wWhen you handball to another shepherd them to allow them to balance and improve their delivery.. Unless you are included in the offensive phase. Reduce space on your opponents. Back up teamates by being aware of the phase of the game . If teammate has space recognise that and tighten up the opposition if a rebound or umpire decision occurs.

Oh well. Makes my previous pretty redundant.