Generation dee

That's a little harsh, Some of his stats (inside 50s, tackles, clearances) have been quite solid over the last few weeks. Considering grimes, viney and Evans have been out, who would you have preferred from last years list take that place on this seasons list? Bate? Petterd? Gysberts?

Totally agree, and when we have had a poor midfield and beaten consistently in tackles, possessions and inside 50, makes you wonder why he isn't rewarded. But what do you prefer, short term pain in the hope that blease, nicho Evans etc all develop into solid midfielders, or short term gain and magner takes that spot up. Seems ridiculous and I don't really have the answer. Especially when we play a contested footy team like the bulldogs, and last week the saints, you'd think we would try to give as much assistance to jones, trengove etc. On a side note, some of the body language from the Melbourne listed players is bloody good all things considered.

I see what you are saying there, but I think blease and (debatably) Nicholson have more scope for improvement than magner. Magner is definitely a stop-gap the same as Rodan. The thing about Rodan compared to magner is experience and he has been there done that, where as magner probably isn't going to improve from where he is. At least we aren't throwing games at taggert, tynan etc as they clearly aren't ready, where as blease, nicho and bail all have speed, endurance and spread which seems more important than ability to win the ball, which magner has..

Not disagreeing he wasn't up to it, that's been proven. What my point is, is how people like to blame neeld for our recruits like Rodan, pederson etc, yet he isn't given any credit for giving the ok to net hogan and Dawes with the tradings, he isn't afforded any credit for delisting/trading 14 players who had been held on to for too long and make way for Kent, jones and clisby etc to come to the club. I'm no neeld apologist, but to think he came in with the intention to destroy our club and make us so uncompetitive is a quite appalling. I hope he is remembered at assembling a squad that went on to be fiercely competitive in 2014 and beyond.

Bingo! Worst issue with being a basket case for 8 years- attracting players from other clubs during draft/trading. Have to pump their tyres up with more money than they are worth.

It's funny how neeld is responsible for all our downfalls and our bad recruiting, yet he doesn't get the thanks for Kent, hogan, toump, viney, jones or terlich. Not sticking up for him, his record speaks for itself. However I still find the double standards!

The doggies play a real contested style of footy, with a lot of their goals manufactured from midfielders. If we can close Ryan griffen down (IMO he should be viewed as highly as ablett, pendles and Watson this season) and limit the influence of will minson, we will be right in this game. I'd love to see watts, Dawes and fitzy really move around the forward third and have use the mcg space. If we can get some meaningful footy to these guys one on one we can stretch the dogs defensive talls. Looking for Howe to have a big game. He's been down the past few weeks, and I'd love to see him grab the game by the throat and give our defenders a target linking up between the arcs. He is a player who can really light up his teammates with a big mark and goal, or a run down the wing. Hope he really lifts. Lastly, I think for the first time in a long time we can win the coaches box battle. Brendan McCartney is a good teacher of young players, but I'm yet to see him inspire or show any initiative with his coaching. I'd be looking for Neil Craig to make a surprise move or 2 that no one picks. Might be frawley on the ball, Tom McDonald to chf without a match up... I just think he could manufacture something and show some initiative to give us a really good start! See you all there tomorrow night!

That's fair enough, but you can only compete against who your opponent is. Whether that be Steve silvagni or a light on 17yo. Not having a crack at jack watts, but the year he won the larke medal he was opposed to defenders like Phil Davis, Jackson trengrove etc, and beat them quite comfortably. I think the players who show courage, desire and timing (on top of skill and talent) are the ones who go on to successful careers, and Boyd shows all of that and more. I think scharenberg will be a tall midfielder like Kennedy, fyfe etc more than a defender. He has skill and agility, with solid, quick hands. I hope he continues his improvement and finds himself in red and blue next year. Agree with sheed, possibly the best pure midfielder in the champs!

Why does that matter? You don't think opposition teams would sit another player in front of Boyd? Have you even seen him play?

Billings looks very capable but as lean or leaner than James aish! The player out of the sa v metro game that has only increased my man crush on him is Matty scharenberg. Playing in the backline, he has swept up numerous metro forward entries. I think he is more of a fyfe, mundy, Cotchin type- taller with that agility and quick hand eye coordination. Failing him, josh Kelly has really stood up. Just keeps on running and really good skills. Probably confirming his top 10 credentials today.

You are a dead set parrot.

"YAAAAAAAWWWWWWNNNNNN" Did you need to start a thread for something that had been repeated quite frequently here? Or you just wanted to heap praise on yourself in a forum spotlight? Congratulations TPM, you've started another "good riddance neeld" thread 10 days AFTER his sacking and you've made no real contribution to anything new or previously untapped. The worst thing about this back patting post, is I can't get the time I wasted spent reading this back on my life. So thanks, thanks for wasting my time reading the same old dribble, and thanks for heaping more kudos on yourself that your posts are usually full of!

I guess it's been decided that he and couch aren't up to it, that playing them just cuts in to jones, blease, toumpas and Kents development?There really isn't many other answers. You would imagine he would play against the doggies who have a very contested game style though...

Scathing!!!! I love it!

When Neil Craig took over at the crows in 2004, he had rucciuto, Edwards, McLeod, Goodwin, stenglein and Thompson. Macleod and roo were getting towards the end of their careers and he had a raft of players who seemed to be stifled by Gary ayres and sitting in a "in between" phase of their careers. Players like mattner, hentschel, bock, rutten, johncock and Doughty who all took the next step under Craig's tutorage. I feel Craig developed a team who were underachieving and made them play accountable, tough footy with a strong emphasis on teamwork, commitment and defence, however that team also scored quite heavily. I think he would be a great teacher and developer of our current list, much the same how he developed the crows. He may have learnt more since his time out of the game. Especially in regards to finals. He is a clear pick behind roos, and I think he could suit the club better than Williams. Williams has that zany wacky character, however he is smart and quite cunning when it comes to motivation. I do think he will upset players and make them question themselves however. Craig is a great confidence booster and that is my reasoning that he should be our first preference, alongside roos.

No need to bump anymore. If you wanna be physical, throw a roundhouse behind play! Absolute joke. Spencer probably deserves 2-3 yes, as clumsiness is not an excuse. Nor being a giraffe. That said, simpkin and embley getting 2 for off the ball low acts are just completely ridiculous. The system is a joke and I'm not surprised players are confused and caught in 2 minds.

Pressed post too early. I would be intrigued at what will happen come end of season. We have players like taggert, tynan, Strauss, blease, Davis who all show strong vfl form, and have had 2-4 seasons on the list. Throw in some players like couch, magner, Rodan, sellar, gillies, jetta, bail and tapscott who all seem to be treading water and not taking the next step. Unfortunately it seems there could be another big cull at seasons end.

Fyfe won't go anywhere. Brisbane have a player on their list called Jared polec. Went pick 5 I think a few years ago. Has all the tools, just seems to be behind rockliff, redden, rich and now moloney. I wonder if he could be prized away.

Very reminiscent of Corey enright for me. Not saying he will be as good, but he is strong overhead, courageous, takes the game on however like boris, he can make a few mistakes. I think with natural development and picking up the pace of the game, he will turn out to be a first 18 player for many years to come! Credit to him by doing it the hard way too!

Exactly right. I'd we wanted quick fix patch up, we would've traded 3,4 and 13 for Dawes, goldsack and Thomas, or something ridiculous like that. We have hogan to come, viney, grimes to return, trengove to get his body right.. Toumpas should be afforded time, patience and allowed to pick his game up naturally. He will be a very good player for Melbourne.

Wow. Lets pick on an 18yo in his first season who had a delayed preseason. Damn you jimmy toumpas for our 1-11 start to the season! It's all your fault! Seriously grow up. Ollie wines has had a pretty solid start to his career, but he is surrounded by boak, cassisi, wingard, kornes and Brett ebert. Toumpas has jones, daylight, Rodan, trengove, bail and Sylvia. Throw in first year players viney and Matt jones, as well as grimes being injured. How about we just take a step back and look at the good things he does. Kicks it beautifully, keeps his feet, runs to correct spots and leads. He has some incredible skills. Just give him the time to develop. He isn't a strong tackler yet, but again- 18yo and first 7 games. Add in that he is determined to improve and knows what he has to focus on, and you see the makings of a very good player. Just more of this saviour mentality from understandably frustrated supporters, however just have a deep breath.

Been a bit of a spencer basher in my time. However yesterday I looked at it in terms of what we've had previously. I reckon he is a bit of a diamond in the rough. Isn't actually costing is anything on the list. He had 17 touches yesterday, if he can just get some awareness with his taps, and look to be a bit more proactive going forward, he could be a very competent ruck man. Shane Mumford like.

I was very surprised by the lack of Craig love on demo land leading up to this week. He is a class act, a bloody respected bloke and really is someone who sees the best in everyone and everything. I haven't seen yesterday's press conference, but I've met him numerous times over the years. Paul roos would obviously be a fantastic get for the club, but do not discount Craig. He builds a mutual respect with players and will implore them to get better individually and as a team in a very similar manner to what roos does. You can say what you like about culture, but that has to be built on mutual respect. Neeld didn't, he went the wrong way about it. Craig won't. He has to be a part of the future in any capacity.

That's slanderous buddy. I know Mitch from Adelaide, don't be theowing assumptions around that you know nothing about.

Watts... You really do test my judgement. You're 6'5- how about getting your arms up?!????