Dillon and Parke

Maybe I am ridiculously naive but I was expecting some signs of improvement by now. I know everyone says that the squad (particularly the midfield) is not up to scratch but bad players just do not get this far without either demonstrating that they have what it takes or have the potential to develop it.

I've gone along (and will continue to go along) to the first two games and it makes no sense to me to see players not consistently trying hard enough or not making the 2nd and 3rd efforts that other teams' players are making. I cannot believe that the remaining players are no longer fit enough to put in a concerted effort for less than 10 minutes.

I hear (and believe)players like Mitch and Col Garland say that they want to play for Neeld so why is it that so many of our players seem incapable & incompetent.

Agreed...Why drop Watts and retain Sellar? Why retain Byrnes at the expense of Blease? Why not give Gawn a crack and rest Jamar? Has anyone ever seen Mark Jamar actually run? ANYBODY??

Neeld needs to demonstrate quickly that he can get a team to play to their potential - win or lose. Without that effort, his days have to be numbered. And if he goes, his replacement will need to clear out any players that talk the talk but are unwilling or unable to walk the walk.

I sincerely hope that we show something on Saturday and that supporters, players, coaches & officials can start enjoying footy again.

Ps would like to understand and be informed about the reasons for the dropping of Blease & Watts. Makes no sense to me.

I would agree - you can blame the current coach but the problems stem way, way back. Sanderson or Scotts would be in the same position as Neeld. Atleast he has taken steps to improve training and fitness. It is just going to take a bit longer to get the players to play the way he wants. I'd stick with neeld.

Wrong! Scott, any Great Scott would not of made trade mistakes, game plan mistakes etc. They motivate more and get the best out of players. That's the job of a coach. Great Scott!! Don't you see these guys are sick and tired of Neeld. Did anyone see his address pre Essendon game? Great Scott!!

IMO IF Neeld is given 5 years Melbourne will cease to exist in the year 2017. Welcome Tassie Demons/Devils

your so funny.

Refreshing refreshing refreshing. Congratulations on a fantastic post!

Very saddened by all of the ugly vitriolic slanders directed at LJ and myself for standing up for him. I will no longer be a part of this forum because to be frank it's downright ugly and should not be tolerated in 2012. Wish you all well all the same and go dees in 2013.

Farewell!

To say that we have had a disappointing season under Mark Neeld would be a gross understatement. MFC fans anticipated huge improvement on 2011 but were hugely disillusioned.

I have nothing but praise for the manner in which Mark Neeld and the football department have reacted to the disaster that has been MFC this year.

Enticing 'good' players to our club has been an almost impossible task these past couple of years. It would seem that things have changed.

Neeld has set standards from which he has not deviated. He knows exactly what needs to be done to transform us to a tough and competitive team. By the end of next week we could well have several experienced players from other clubs who will become positive role models for our youngsters on and off the field.

Neeld's has been a polished performance and I, for one, acknowledge his huge efforts. I'm excited!

Lets hope Corowa.. he's not a great Media performer but who cares. Seems to be going for what we need. Good Post!

I would be very surprised to see this guy run around again. Was a star when he played, would love to see him play again, but would be very unlikely I would think.

You will be surprised Sammy

There isn't. But being ungracious makes you a [censored] in my book. You're welcome to take a different view.

maybe you're right and like I say don't take it personally. he certainly played gracious football. For me though a formal thank you was not called for or necessary. He said thank you in his "own way" . Taking absolute screamers and by making me proud to talk about Melbourne. Making me excited to watch Melbourne play at the prospect of delighting in one Liam Jurrah. That's thanks enough. Doing is always better than the talk. Very sad he's gone.

Yeah sorry I get a bit agitated when people make wildlish conspiracy claims with no factual basis - just opinions - and start calling people Alan Jones.

I didnt mean to justify the racist comment - by saying that there are always people like that. I meant to say that there will always be skid stains on the undies of society, it doesnt make it right, but you shouldnt try and draw long strung connections.

Personally if I hear something Ill say something. I know that sounds key board warrior-ish but I hate racism and I'm pretty belligerent so ill say something if it pisses me off.

Re what we have to do to fix it I have no idea! Lol its a tough issue. Every generation has their fight or struggle - I think its time that the next one is about reducing racism and increasing the welfare of aboriginals and equal marriage.

All for which i for.

Wbu?

equality in marriage? Agreed

Reducing racism? no....eradication's better.

didn't read any comments calling anyone Alan Jones. Did read one "sounds like" what Alan Jones would say....very different.

"based on opinions"

I did read a post based on an event one witnessed at a Melbourne v Richmond match. These occurrences are frequent and opinion doesn't come into to it. Can't find the post now but empathised with it because have heard similar words spoken about Jurrah while he was playing for Melbourne. This is an issue alive and well in the Members area of the Melbourne FC. The comments happen and they're dead set designed to hurt.

Good work all the same PJ! Keep fighting !

I think the MFC did a good job supporting Liam Jurrah.

In my eyes, however, in the public sphere we went too far to highlight the uniqueness of his situation and to regard him as such a special case. In no way am I saying that this is the reason that he left, but I simply feel we over-did the media side of his story and didn't treat him the same way we did other players in the public sector.

Also, this isn't specifically the doing of the MFC, obviously the media as a whole played a part - but I just feel we fed into it too much.

Hopefully this phase of the MFC has past and we focus on letting our football do the talking - not press releases and cutsie jumper presentations.

Here here! Of course MFC supported Liam Jurrah. Do have much sympathy for some who saw the spirit in him. Whether Melbourne FC did enough to keep him will never be known and really pointless us discussing it. Posts such as "we did everything for him" to that effect are pathetic however.

Alright, I understand what your saying but now that your opinions have replaced facts has annoyed me.

The dees stood by him legally, financially, emotionally and any other lly you would like.

It was in their best interest to do everything they could - he was still a contracted player, he is a demon and for christ sake the MFC isn't an immoral grinch.

I tell you what, how about you tell me how they didnt do everything.

Re the racism comment, there are narrow-minded, racist biggots at every game of football, like in any community, and country.

Agreed it was indeed a Racist comment. Just because there are "racist biggots" at every game of football(as you say) does this make it ok or somehow or justify it? You seem annoyed ? Is this by the racist comments or by "opinions replacing facts" whatever that means.

What do you think we have do do within Demonland and the wider community to stop racist bigoted views?

First Wonna and now Jurrah.

first Greene and then Moloney.

[media=]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVz-2K6Iw3U&feature=related

cool footage dandee! Byrnes had a great game. Seems an opportunist type of player. May not play every match. May not even start in best 22?

Just realised somebody's started another Byrnes thread....mmmm

Shannon Byrnes a Demon

that sounds like the first 6 or so matches.

Some players saw the light & bought in, after the supporter base bought into change to right the ship. supporting MNeeld & the choice of change.

We will change this Non Culture.

Once changed, we will learn how to be Winners.

am also prepared to back our coach. no other option. saying this i have supported melbourne for longer than neeld and seen similar types come and go fast.

" non culture" sounds very interesting concept and need you to expand on that one DL? i reserve the right to vent out occasionally. i do see TPM"s point but he's probably a long, long, long suffering demon supporter that wants to see the vitriol(hardest team to play agains etc ) turn into something tangible not some pseudo concept of success.

if melbourne can sign Lynch up on three year deal that's a good one in the bag for our coach. help silence some of neeld's doubters?

He is 203 cm, 25 years old, normally plays between 18-22 games a year, kicks around 40-50 goals per year, maybe bit low on his accuracy, reliable to take the number one defender every time, Adelaide paying him around 600K per year - but he is "inconsistent"????

I would have thought he might be poorly understood in Victoria - but highly sought after in Queensland - strange. Geez if this bloke played in a Collingwood jumper and was a Victorian, there would not be a club in Victoria that would not be after him.

that's true. a footnote at 25 he's still maturing.

Just reading this article on the AFL website. If his agent has made overtures to every other club, I suspect that signs are not terribly good for Beamer. Surely if he has real value the clubs should be making offers to him? To me this sounds a lot like they are not getting any bites and are willing to take pretty much any offer they get.

who cares? he moved on from melbourne. more importantly what are melbourne doing at this crucial time of the year? no point bagging out moloney. moloney, rivers will be snapped up and so will Jurrah. 3 very good players that need replacing just to get back to square one.

IMO we should get a few mids before more forwards, not point having them if there's no one to get the ball to them!

Stuie Son!!!

Cheers for the Post. Need a Gun forward first.

Collingwood easily have the best mid set up with Beams, Pendel, Sidebott, Swann, Wellingham, Thomas and more..GUNS!! Cloke and Dawes are OK but didn't have good years.

Cloke may struggle the next few years and Dawes is similar to Jamar but worse.(Jamar potentially can kick butt in the Rucks)

Am sure you've played football? If so interested to know who for and when? (if it's not too personal)

You would know that if Mids including Rucks know there are targets they will lift out of there skin to get it down there? Could make heaps of analogies but a little late at night. IMO If Mitch Clark played for Collingwood this year and didn't get injured the Pies would of won the Flag and either Swann or Beams the Brownlow. Good Mids transform to very good mids if they have a target but if there's not much on offer down there then motivation drops off. Makes sense? We miss a Neitz type forward for the Davey types to run wild around. Crucial stuff here Stuie. Go Stuie and Go Demons.

I've been quite hooked on reading the possible trade and rumor threads. Its like trying to guess what Santa is going to bring.

However I think that some people are in fantasy land(and I say that with the utmost respect as this forum is made of peoples hope) We currently have the dollars and draft picks so lets buy 1 or 2 big fish if we can coax them and draft the best kids. I dont think we are in a position to get players that cant get a game in a top 8 club and hope they become players that will take us to finals. I know people will say what about Josh Kennedy etc. Yes it happens sometimes but we cant afford to take a chance.

We need proven contributors and kids that NEELD can mould into his thinking.

I hope Santa brings something! Goddard's gone to Bombers. Do we have any chance with Lynch? Never mind about Neeld's thinking. Does anyone want to come to Melbourne full stop?

I believe in Craig.

now this is getting a little scary

Thanks for the update...enjoyed that.

So glad we've got Craig. He's almost the only one at any level of the club that Ive got real confidence in at the moment.

When he talks people listen and in a town where there's 7000 footy experts thats a tag not easily won.

I dont believe him about Viney though....and hope he's just playing the game. We'll see when it counts I guess.

big call against the grain. no confidence in our coach??

fed up with the talk. time to walk the walk. i have noted several astute judges commented that mfc had the best young list and i have it on high authority this was a line Neeld Spruked to our Gary to get the job in the first place.

no further comment for now. if Craigy spits out the gum I'll back him. perhaps he should of been number one? would feel a lot more confident if he was. go dees all the same.

Got me thinking after the trapper thread on how much i miss this bloke! his bone jarring tackles most noteably the bulldog special were one of this trademarks along with his courage and fearless attitude! He was not scared of anyone! i remember he got suspended for belting Brendan Fevola one time and laying a crunching tackle that winded Glenn Archer.

i really do see alot of traits in young neville jetta and would seriously hope they trail him as a small back pocket in the way wheels played!

My favourite Whelan moment was defiently the hird bump!! in todays game he probably got 6 weeks but boy he made sure he hurt them!

Heres to the great man! whats everyones favourite Wrecker moment??

i also recall some great high marks. he was also a clever player. clever and tough as nails. caught up with him in the end. he's one guy that left it all on the park.

There's one player who has clearly improved under Neeld. May there be many more.

i heard mark neeld is getting big bertha out next year>