chookrat

Id support this

The only way out of this situation is infield improvement. While memberships are down and attendences are really poor these will both improve when we improve. Memberships have been sold based on hope for the past 4-5 years and we need to accept that a sustainable membership base needs to be built based on reality. While a larger salary cap may help us land one or two A grade midfielders (by paying overs) we will both have problems funding the additional cap and retaining players when we improve and the cap is restored to 100%. A priority pick will help us trade for an A grade mid fielder but the downside is that priority picks contributed to the mess we are in. Equalisation is the best way to ensure strugglig clubs are not at the mercy of memberships and attendences during lean years. We also should look at having some Casey home games against interstate sides as this will help financially as well as building our young supporter base. The reality is our memberships and attendances will be poor until we are competitive and there is no easy way out. Equalisation will enable us to pay the salary cap to attract one or two A grade mids and continue to invest in our FD.

Sue - this post is far to sensible for a Time to go mark neeld thread.

My changes would be Sellar in for Frawley Silvia in for Bail Byrnes in if M Jones needs a rest

Because he wears non prescription glasses to look uber hipster.

Absolutely agree Django. Id also like to add that the media can GAGF.

We can do something about low attendance by turning up to games.

GNF - Peter Jackson has just committed to our club as CEO until the end of 2014. Why cant you trust that our new CEO will make the right decision on the future of our coach? What makes you feel so compelled to push for Neelds removal at every opportunity? If Neeld is as negative an influence as you say then why hasnt he been removed already? Would you prefer that Demonlander's blindly follow your call for revolution based on your claims that players will leave etc?

I agree re the poor state of the FD when Neeld took over, but I think the changes made (which I think are the right ones) are starting to take affect. The older players are now starting to step up and provide leadership - I thought Jamar really stood up against Hawthorn. I think he is usually a bit timid but really worked hard to assert himself to give us first use of the ball. Davey is getting back some form and really trying hard and I think Dunn is much more focused and playing more accountable footy. Joel Mac also deserves a mention for his combative effort and ability to consistently beat his man. Garland has been excellent and if we weren't a bottom 4 side would be AA standard. Frawley consistently beats his man and was outstanding on Franklin while Silvia has played his most accountable, consistent football over the past 12 months. While Mononey spat the dummy I thought Rivers played really well last year. When we play Geelong I think Rivers deserves respect for his service to the MFC. I think we are probably 3 - 4 senior players and another 3 - 4 AFL standard players away from being a competitive side. For senior players bring back Clark, Grimes, Byrnes and Silvia (add Frawley to this list). Inject Viney into the side and an improved effort and consistency from 3 of Nicolson, Mckenzie, Jetta, Pederson, Strauss and Tapscott should give us a good competitive platform. We then need some time for the team gel and play the way Neeld wants them to. Our biggest problem is fielding 22 AFL standard players with sufficient leadership and ability to stick to the structures, win the ball and execute. We will probably still be a couple of players short of this until next year, but I think the addition of each AFL standard player, and in particular senior players, will make a noticeable difference.

Damien Barrett is a [censored] bag of he highest order. Needs to be held accountable for his gossip column speculation.

I agree with this. The players tried all day and with better execution the score line would have been much closer. Better execution will come with continued effort and getting back Silvia, Clark, Byrnes and Grimes will help. As supporters we can help by getting to games and showing we care.

How credible are these reports? Im Damien Barrett amd I wear non prescription glasses to look smart. Bunch of gossip columnists.

I consider myself a reasonable person and believe Mark Neeld can turn around our on field performances within his 3 yr contract.

Im happy with todays outcome. The club shouldnt be forced to make assurances re the coaches future and is right to closely monitor the performance of the FD. The media can GAGF.

Or it could be they are giving the media nothing. Me thinks GNF has an axe to grind.

Seller on Cloke for mine

Not only is our team less experienced in games played, but also in games played together. This is massive when it comes to the players working well together.

Was he ashen faced?

JMac is really important to our list because he sets an example on the field for competitiveness. With Dawes, Garland and N Jones setting benchmarks for competitiveness, players like Terlich, Howe, M Jones and Evans improving and with Silvia, Grimes, Byrnes and Clark coming back Im feeling much better about our team for the second half of the season. The inclusion of each AFL standard player will have a massive impact to our onfield performance.

I was at the game too and I agree the players worked hard and structured up well, its just that our execution was poor and I also thought Hawthorn's stronger bodies were able to break free at times and execute really well. A mate I was at the game with is mad Hawthorn supporter who remembers when Hawthorn were really poor and he even said it didn't feel like a 95 point flogging and that Melbourne's pressure was good. Another season or two into our young list and some good recruiting could see us with a really strong side. Things can turn quickly, remember WCE of 2010.

Went with a couple of Hawks mates. The boys tried hard and I thought were good in patches but were simply beaten by a better, more drilled and skilled team that are used to playing together.

Went with a couple of Hawks mates. The boys tried hard and I thought were good in patches but were simply beaten by a better, more drilled and skilled team that are used to playing together.

The difference is that Doggies come into this season with no real expectations and without the same media attention. I believe our press conferences are deliberately bland and banal so that we dont give the media any oxygen. Press conferences are for the media and public and im sure our players are encouraged to compete and win.

Thanks for your post long suffering - this all makes a lot of sense.

I appreciate that many supporters have passed breaking point. If Peter Jackson's review finds we need a new coach than so be it, I just don't want the backlash from disappointed supporters to force the clubs hand in removing Neeld. I'd be really disappointed in a situation where Peter Jackson and the footy club believe Neeld is on the track but because of member backlash they are forced to replace him.