astrodee

Reading this thread was a lot like watching Melbourne play. Cuddles, who it seems might know what's going on, said that it will take DB up to six years to achieve their goals. In this decade we have seen a young St.Kilda, Hawthorn and Melbourne squad play ring a ring a rosy. And their coaches be vilified by a number of their supporters. I thought our last effort was overkill, but it wouldn't have been if not for Geelong's inaccuracy in the rain and wind. So we were pathetic - oh woe, the players were just a little dispirited and tired. We were told to expect pain, so accept it. I said at the start of this season this man has rat-cunning. He managed to stave off Worsfald for the golden spoon. Now the football department can take their time and select the kids we need to succeed, and hold the ace in the PSD. All in all, on what I've seen so far - I love him. So do the young players - both my daughter and I know know a number of the players' rellies. The BOYS are slowly turning into men. Just enjoy the trip. It'll be slow and steady for some time - with downtimes. But then..... IMHO it will have been worth it.

Well, I still have great faith in DB. Let's face it, he picked a team that I knew would be thrashed, as I'm sure he (as most of us would have) expected Geelong to win by well over 100 points - which, had they kicked straight, would have happened - and any win by us would have cost us the golden spoon. It becomes totally wooden again in 2010. At the same time the club give 3 stalwarts a send off instead of a ride in an open car. WE still saw Grimes show that he's got IT, Warnock give Richo a touch up, Cale Morton always in space and with an 84% effective disposal rate, and Maric be really clever in traffic. We also saw Col Sylvia show his dedication by coming back on when he didn't need to and continue to give his all. Does anyone on this site believe we would have been been beaten by an ordinary Richmond outfit that had nearly as many errors as we did had Brock, Moloney, Rivers, Davey, Robbo, Wonna, PJ, etc, etc., played. I love the improvement in so many players. Hawthorn 4 years ago were lamentable, and Clarkson was the worst coach in the world according to Hawk's fans. They're not saying that now. Youth policy means patience. One thing I've learnt in my 51 years as a Melbourne member is patience. Bring on 2011 with us challenging for top 4.

As I've said on another thread I love the way Geelong play, particularly when they play as they did on Friday night. I hope one day we are as dominant and professional.

Robbie played over 100 games with peter Daicos at Collingwood, and was the Calder Cannons coach for (I think) 7 years taking them to (again, I think) 3 or 4 flags. He was Maric's coach there until last year when he resigned.

I watched him through a lot of the U18 carnival - he's smart but green. If my memory serves me, he takes a good grab and has some goal sense.

Sure was - until he took Mooney the guy was beaten. He played him back to form.

After watching this club play for over 50 years, I believe that this group of kids is as good as any I've seen, including the group Ray Jordan developed in the early to mid 80's. Last night's game is the best 100 point loss I've seen - and I've seen plenty! Look at the worst players -especially Carroll and White. Skinny kids trying their hardest, being buffeted, pressured as never before, but always putting in. Mistakes being made galore did not stop them from trying again. It was one of the best lessons they could have had. I have watched every Geelong game this year, because I like the way they play. Last night's was close to their best performance of the year - given the slippery conditions, and the sureness of their ball handling. I applaud them. Almost everyone of our kids out there did 1 or 2 really good things, and some even more. PJ, given that big men don't reach their best until 25-27, will be a superstar. Buckley will be anything. Warnock will play well over 100 games. Maric was described to me by Robbie Hyde after his 1st game as 'the next Peter Daicos' - he was then 16. He kicked 4 goals in a losing Grand Final. If he hadn't been so nervous in front of goal, his game would have been perfect, given he's one of the youngest kids in the league. Martin made some awful errors, but did some terrific things as well. And so on. I applaud them. Now they know what they have to become. Write them off at your peril.

As one of the village elders - I have seen 5 premierships and 3 losing GF's. I also have been through the pain of administrative upheavals, 1981, the AGM's of the 70's & 80's where money was regularly [censored] up against the wall, Templeton, and the unparalleled ineptitude of GS. We have been in trouble so many times, except for a man who bled for the R & B - Stuey Spencer who, with a tough uncompromising coach, pulled us out of the mire for a while. But another little bleeder in the used car business, who as a coach turned victory into defeat countless times, brought us back into it. The assassination of Joe Gutnick by GS ( he who cannot be named in case of a rerun). The top hat brigade were only good for this club when they didn't have to actually put much of the their money into the club. They still occasionally dine at the 'G. And we're stuck with their stereotype. Jimmy the legendary, who spoke about embracing immigrants MUST get rid of our stereotype.

1957-1972 , working O/S, 1977-1992, 1994- until I die.

John Northey may have coached us to the then record losing margin GF defeat, but he forged a TEAM of steel and his legacy to this club should be honoured. CC, Lyon, Stynes, Lovell, Hopgood, Ingo, Flower, Hutchison, Lovett, Viney, Greg Healy - these are just some of the team that he gave an 'us vs them' attitude that will lead this club into it's bright and successful future.

His demeanor, his nouse, his emphasis on educating the players in decision-making, his unflappability, his belief in himself, the way he managed to make himself into a footballer who played 63 games during Essendon's heyday (when in reality he wasn't particularly skillful, but always showed nouse and poise during games), his honesty, and his realistic appraisals of games. And the way he takes all the negativity and criticism in his stride and just keeps working away. He also delegates well and listens to others. He knows that he doesn't know it all. I have close friends who have played and coached VFL/AFL/TFL, and they are unanimous in their belief that he has what it takes to build both a successful culture and team. So, I'm excited.

Exactly, WJ. He's playing in a team that is bottom of the ladder. Imagine if he was surrounded by 21 Geelong players - he'd already be favourite for the rising star, or close to it. No, he's surrounded by kids and blokes who won't be there next year. As the team rises over the next few years, so will his status and stature.

I agree that Northey has been our best coach since the great NS. However, I love the way DB coaches. It should be remembered that without Neitz and Robbo we now have the 2nd youngest list in the AFL. His game plan is not a rehash of Port's 2002 - 2004 (which netted them a premiership), but a development of it. He said when he started that he was going to develop the team. Aussie, Garland, Warnock, PJ, CJ, Miller, Brock, Jones, etc are all developing into better footballers under his tutelage. CC is out there selling the club. Bailey in the media reminds me of NS in the WOS days. Straight faced and honest. So he uses cliches - gee, that means he's like all the other coaches. I have consistently watched this club play since 1957, and since the great redhead was destroyed by the MCC/MFC committee DB is the 1st coach to genuinely excite me. I loved Northey for his passion and his ability to develop an 'us against them' mentality, but always felt that he lacked the nouse to win a flag at AFL level. I agree with most that it is too early to really assess him. But for mine he has so far earned an 8/10 - and he still excites me as a coach. I also enjoyed his appearance on Before the Game, and can't wait for him to come on Footy Classified.

Is George your dad?

Have attended every game since I stopped playing 30 years ago, and before I started playing. But then, I'm a masochist.