dpositive

Lots of interesting comments on this and other threads. I for one dont want to wait 5 years for another new group of players to get the Neeld plan I would like Neeld to work with the talents that he has place them against opponents that they suit and play game plans (note plural) to win games. Its called coaching and I am sure he has the skill and ability to do this(and the support team) I do agree that it will take some time for it all to come together and despite my desolation at the result and particularly the radio commentry I am pleased that demonlanders are still seeing some positives (even if it was only for the first half) While not looking forward with confidence against west coast I hope the squad has also seen a few of the other games to see that the intensity must begin and be maintained. I hope the coach can release players at appropriate times when they are fatigued or game plans require I hope to see improvement.

I thought we had begun this proces with our coaching blend. We now need the players to absorb some of their (coaches) experiences and forge their own identity. We cannot begin another rebuild (Which incidentally can never be finished) We must give our playesr the confidence in their abilities so that they can use them in structures and patterns that they are able to use. Perhaps we need the players to know they can play to exhaustion and be rested the next week if necessary but that they must give their all. OH Hell I dont know Its just so bloody disapointing that it looks like more agony!!!!

Rather than BLAME "The Players" or "The Coaches" lets just hope that ALL take some responsibility for the effort and assess how to improve. Abilities and efforts must be assessed with game plans and strategies. Placement of abilities and utilisation of resources is a very fluid thing. There can be no rigidity of a failing plan and I for one hope that it is not another new beginning. I hope that we recognise the skills and abilities we have and use them appropriatley against the opposition. The game was disappointing from most aspects. How the players, club, supporters handle it will tell us more than the result of one game.

Havent seen enough analysis to see how this accords but certainly agree with the sickening feeling which increased from the radio coverage that I was ablke to listen too. when McLure states he is sorry for Melbourne supporters at witnessing the display of the team it is indeed feeling like a long and miserable journey continues. Hopefully Neeld and co can gain something from the wreckage.

When I went regularly to the games we did develop an anti chant. It was simply GO DEES in between the collingwod/clap/clap/clap (insert any team as theyre all the same) We could modify the pace of the call to really get up the nose of the opposition supporters. We also found the chant self beneficial as you could say it as the ball travelled down the ground at each pass of the ball or at each action. The pace and modulation could be easily varied to suit the pace of the game and the final exhalation when a goal was scored often led to an almost mindless repetition until exhaustion and sometimes hyperventalation demanded pause. Simple but effective

Hard LUck Thanks for the tip

NO NO NO B-H while I dont agree with everything you say I do enjoy all of it and appreciate your passion Keep watching. Keep having an opinion. Hopefully we will all be satisfied.

Wow That was just Sensational across every level Cant say anything more

Lots of good stuff here showing the complexity of the issue. I remember discussing Ben with Jim when Ben was up for trade. I proposed that Ben could represent a positive story to MFC using some of the experience and resources of Reach to contribute in a positive fashion. Jim said something along the lines of he is an addict and unfortunately his situation will end in disaster which the MFC and Reach do not want to associate with. Of course he hoped for the best and wished ben every success but felt it more appropriate and worthwhile to put energy into more positive and winnable causes. THank goodness he did. I often thought of these comments and witnessed Jims consistency in applying himself. I feel proud to be influenced by Jim and try in my insignificant way to emulate the passion and compassion he displayed. I also think no ill of Ben and feel strangely sorry for him.

I think its not just about the sale of Merchandise It is about promotion and it is about owning the Melbourne brand this will assist us with other sponsorship. The promotion to students will grow the awareness and the market and may help attract sponsors any merchandise sales and future gate receipts and memberships would be a bonus

I totally agree with this. We are Melburne and should leverage off that fact. The Melbourne Grand Prix is another promotional advantage that we have over other sides.

B-H I am certainly not disagreeing with you, and in fact agree wholeheartedly I think someone else said it may be easier to teach him those aspects you mentioned than to teach his skills to others. I also hope to see his influence under finals conditions andI think his and others skills will get us there.

Aint it great "its not so easy" thats why I'll leave it to the coach. I now (through demonlanders comments and reports) know more about our players than ever but still dont know enough(anything) about our structures and strategies and even less about the opposition. I just hope that the coaching etc team do and have a variety of plans. GO DEES

Thanks to all who have commented. The united front is certainly on display and a legacy of a great man. If his deeds can be emulated we will all be better people.

I thought this may have been a "controversial" "tongue in cheek" post until I read responses. I reckon you might do something good on a footy field if you were given 30-40 games but i wonder if you crashed a pack and didnt squib wehther youd get that many games, Of course I dont know what condition your body is in but if you reckon you are up to it perhaps you should be the number one draft pick. As to his value dropping I think it is only gauged if he was on the market and I do not want to see that when we have some structures and strategies in place to utilise his abilities and add to our success. There are too many examples already given by many to see that players with ability will impact I believe even though you have not seen anything special in 3 years his athleticism and skill is still recognised by most (including opposition teams who found it necessary to place their better player/s on him) that he offers plenty to our side. I just hope that you are proved to be wrong, only time will tell. I do think that the concentartion on Watts is unfortunate as I dont believe he was the only high draft pick who has not been as successful as lower picks. I still think its about the team and its about support. Give it to Jack and the team while he is part of it. GO DEES

Did you notice the Quantas East China Air agreement?? Could this have any significance to previous prognostications?????

Hard and smart. As stated there are many ways to hurt your opponent the worst is probably to be suspended. Laying that tackle and exhausting yourself that you must be rested the next game could be a strategic positive. Preparing for the game and the season is what a smart hard team will do. Peaking is as important as performing. I think theres a lot more to this than we have identified its a great topic.

At risk of compromising my like tag This is the sort of post I do like Flexibility and rotation recognised to put the inform players in the side. With Fat Tony giving some indication of who they might match up against its a considered structure. Of Course may not fit with the playing strategy and I think we need a few games to see how that transpires. Still plenty to like!!! GO DEES

And OL55Just my contribution when I have time to read I really do appreciate the match and training reports and even enjoy the (I hope)faux disagreements. All debate helps us progress "I appreciate your advice even when I choose to ignore it" I do love the passion that everyone displays for the Dees

I did say I agree with all BUT the last para in its entirety. It was the Richmond reference that particularly got my response. Thanks Biff

Royce Hart anyone??????

I agree with all except for the last para in its entirety. I think we will drop a few "winnable" but think these will be compensated with the surprise "unwinnable". Like Dees Rule I predicted 6th and will be pleased if we play smart and are competitive. I still have faith that the depth of our complete squad will give us some flexibility to match different opposition structures. I am not about selecting a best 22 as I hope it is all relative to the particular game.

This is a great post and heartily endorsed Keep up the great works from any angle We do see the game differently and for those of us who only see the radio commentators version or the TV camera version or the newspaper version it is great to have inside passionate appraisal GO Dees and Demonlanders

SO its not Neelds decision but Lovetts????

BH and Rpfc Thanks for some interesting discussion I agree to agree and disagree with you both also I thought Watts displayed some terrific courage in that first Collingwood game when he was pummelled by the three blokes contesting. and I have seen him display plenty of courage in contested marking . As others have said I dont think he is ever going to comfortable when a ball is dropped down on him(who is) and I dont see him thrusting and imposing as Buddy or Brown and maybe even Clark. So yes BH he does look uncomfortable with that physical demand of the game BUt I do think others se,e he does have presence. Watts speed and atheliticism are his strengths and it will be good to see how the coach and team will exploit them. I go back a bit and remember Bernie Quinlan as a boy footballer who was known by his opponents as "footsteps" .A cuff under the ear gave you a decided edge when playing against him. He was even as a junior a magnificent player with great speed and athleticism, (I played basketball with him not footy) and he did develop into a pretty useful player (footy). . I do think that the potential as a forward needs to be developed first as Rpfc always points out he is only 20 I wasnt aware of the history of forwards who had spent time in defence and thank you for that advice. Was that at senior level or in reserves? and at what stage of their career. The game and particularly its structures and strategies have changed I would rather exploit Jacks strengths now and let him develop others if required. Using what you have and improving with it is the journey we have with Jack