chookrat

Who cares if the general public think MFC is a joke. Once we start winning on a regular basis people will jump back on board. When we are good wouldnt kids want a membership startig at our darkest hour. A mate who is a social worker tells the kids he works with that it is cool to barrack for the under dog and that only losers barrack for a team that is winning. The definition of a loser in my book is someone who has been a Geelong "supporter" since 2007.

Great post PM24. I think we are on the right pathway but the myriad of off-field distractions and poor start to the season has impacted the teams form and confidence. I can see a core group of players really galvanizing - and defining what we stand for - by working through the poor on-field performance. As we work through this our confidence will increase leading to the sort of form and belief that top sides have. I come across this article on WCE's 2010 season when they were rubbish finishing 16th to then finish in 4th place the following year, with virtually the same list. I've pulled out a few quotes that I think are relevant to our situation. "A few competitive-ish losses lead into beltings by Richmond, the Bulldogs and Collingwood; and form, confidence and credibility were gone, never to reappear." - we were smashed in our first couple of games and our coaching team have been working to progressively re-build the teams confidence. "Everything, but most specifically how bad the basic skills are. There are things that you just expect AFL footy players to be able to do – and amongst those I tend to think of as a pre-requisite are kicking, catching and that sort of thing." - this sounds familiar to us and shows that hitting targets and taking marks has as much to do with form and confidence then skill. "From a playing perspective, there is a lot of youth, but no-one that seems to be holding them together. The senior guys – Cox, Glass, Kerr, Embley – are too few and struggling themselves." - if only we had the leadership of champion premiership players such as Cox, Glass, Kerr and Embley. http://www.footyalmanac.com.au/2010-for-the-west-coast-eagles/

This is like reading the Unibombre Manifesto

This is like reading the Unibombre Manifesto

The journalists are chasing headlines and sacking a coach makes for a better story than the process of a multi year rebuild. As supporters a say the media can GAGF to their calls to further destabilise our club. I say we show unity, get behind our team and let Peter Jackson assess what changes need to be made.

Hear hear, this is one of the most well written, sensible posts I have read on DL. Well done!

During Cale's last preseason with us we were training at 70% of AFL level so not surprising he sees a big difference.

I try to make it to more games because the team needs supporters now more than ever. I think the club needs help and while it hurts to be absolute shyte I think the coaches and players are working hard to try and dig out of the problems that culminated into 186. Peter Jackson will identify the changes to be made and if we have confidence in his ability theb all we should do is turn up and show our support. I do however understand that we supporters are running low on faith because we have been sold too much hope in the past 6-7 years.

Moderators, surely we cannot have well reasoned and measured posts like this on Demonland. Off with their heads.

Compare Rivers v Moloney and the terms they both left on.

Hear hear

Since he was drafted Watts has always been described as an outstanding character. I think hes now being driven to a higher standard and with his character should be able to use this to improve. I think once he realises he can step up his confidence will inceease dramatically. If he steps up this season I expect he will stay because he will see MCC as a club that can help him realise his potential. At 60 games Jack needs to show he can have more impact on games.

GNF - I dont disagree with all of you observations but look at them in a different way. Cultural change is difficult and Neeld has always said that the older players would take longer to adapt han younger players. The observations you make would be typical if any major change in an organisation. A real positive I take is the performance if players like Aaron Davey, Col Garland and Col Silvia. I think Neeld and co are expecting more from players like Watts and if he rises ti expectations, then he like Davey and Garland, will really start enjoying his footy. I dont buy into the doom and gloom and given our poor performances onfield and the offield distractions it is a very good sign that older players like Aaron Davey are starting to enjoy their footy. Appreciate you feel we need to act urgently to replace the coach, but I think such an act would self perpetuate your position.

I think this is the key. The biggest challenge Neeld has faced is getting the players to take resposibility for their own performance.

I have no problem with players/clubs deferrig contract talks until season end because its 1. The players way of saying ill back my self to improve form, therefore negotiating a better deal. 2. Clubs way of awarding contracts on performance rather than potential. As a young list we show alot of potential, but as a 60 gamer we need to see performance from Watts before re-signing him. This article says nothing other than clubs are interested in an uncontracted player.

I almost had a seizure trying to read this... its like the Unibomber Manifesto

I think we saw last week what happens to our team without bpokes like JT out there. His team eforts and 1%ers are critical at this stage of our teams development.

What I like about Trengove is his defensive efforts and team support to keep our structures working. I dont see this as the captiancy weighing him down but rather him doing his utmost to get the most out of the 17 team mates. I think his offensive game will come back as our team improves and he can direct more of his focus to attacking play.

6. James Frawley For his post match interview when Matt Burghan asks how he thinks we will go against Freo. "Yeah, it will be a good challenge, fly up there in a plane". Love his interviews.

Ill see your chook and raise you one rat

May have been front loaded in order to meet salary cap and on minimum $. Frees up $ for a star mid next year and provides a useful depth option with potential upside.

timD - agree with your comments re transformational leadership. I think Peter Jackson's statement about a our inexperience at all levels of the Football Club does highlight the need for transformational leadership. Someone with the experience, credibility and maturity to oversee the change, make adjustments and ensure the whole club is heading in the right direction. Watching Peter Jackson communicate I think he provides a lot of this leadership. While Cameron Schwab was passionate and charismatic he probably lacked in these areas - experience, credibility and maturity. I don't think it should be left to the Football Department to provide transformational leadership and I think we have good and capable people (Neeld, Craig, Misson) who know what a blueprint for successful footy club looks like. The problem is more in having that figure in the club to ensure everyone is heading in the same direction and to provide a steady hand. Peter's comments about the impact of external factors and that people need some "clear air" to perform their roles is very good leadership.

Dee-luded, I really like your explanation of our teams performances and what Neeld is trying to do. I think back to the things that Neeld has said at various times and the themes are consistent: - Teaching the players to have care for team mates - Core group of young players - Feel for the players, need to supporting the players - Games experience - There is nowhere to hide and no easy way out To me this shows a clear focus on teaching the players to work for each other and to set the standard for how they play - rather than relying on the coach to rev them up if their performance drops. It also recognizes that such change is difficult and while the players know what is expected they also need support to get there. Looking back over the past 5 years we rarely won games when we had our backs against the wall and struggled to stem the flow when teams got a run on. If we look at top sides such as Geelong, Sydney, Hawthorn they are at their best when the game is in the balance. These were all poor sides not too long ago, but learnt how to win by developing a core group of players that would not taking the easy way out. My interpretation is that when Neeld came in it was clear that our senior players were not going to provide the leadership required and that our best leaders were among the younger players - Jack Grimes and Jack Trengove. I think last week we really missed them both, along with Mitch Clark and probably Mark Jamar to an extent. I think we have also felt the loss of Clint Bartram, Joel MacDonald (hasn't played a game this season) and Jared Rivers this season. While our low at the moment seems much lower than other teams at their worst, this needs to be put into context of the situation our club was in in 2011 - leading up to 186. Our main problem is that we don't have a core group of players that have played many games together. As they younger players in this group get more experience I think our fortunes will start to turn rather quickly. The performances from Colin Garland and Colin Silvia is a sign of our more experienced players developing into leaders. I think we will see the team settle as the season progresses and with Chris Dawes in the side, Mitch Clark returning after the bye, Jack Trengove gaining match fitness and hopefully Jack Grimes continuing his form when he gets back from injury this should help us along. I really hope we stay with Neeld for this season as I think making them work through this (no easy way out) will also give the confidence and shared belief that they as a group can turn their performance. Changing coach again would only shift accountability for poor effort away from the playing group and encourage lazy, unaccountable football and I think will set us back even further.

3 weeks with no reduction is a bit harsh. How many did Juddy get for his chicken wing?

Will end up with 1-2 for mine, Silvia contact was barely there and Brennan tripped and hit his head.