Swooper Northey

I would have elevated Magner ahead of Nicholson. We keep hearing Neeld ask who's a competitor and who's not? Well, perhaps the hardest competitor at the MFC isn't eligible to play league footy at the moment...

As sad as I am to say it, why would any of these blokes choose to come to the MFC? It's hardly an appealing destination given our current state where in between leaping from one crisis to the next, we play some of the worst football on record.

He's got the clearance grunt that we so badly need. Moloney wouldn't have had the picnic he enjoyed today had Magner been in the guts. He'd be giving Jonesy the help he so desparately needs. Given the lack of quality clearance players we have on our list, it defies logic why he's stuck playing for Casey as a rookie.

I still question why Neeld felt the need to scrap everything that came before him and start his planning from scratch, taking us into a sub re-building phase and stripping us of any attacking flare that had given us the ability to compete on occasions with the big boys. Without doubt, we were a better, more competitive team under Bailey, which just goes to show how bad things have become. Rather than build on the positive elements that clearly existed within the group, we've gone backwards at a rate of knots. The complete opposite of what Ken Hinkley has been able to manufacture at Port, and what Sanderson did with the Crows last year. I'm a glass half full man, but I can't see him being able to turn things around.

What about this bloke? Glenn Lovett. Currently president of global strategy for sports marketing research agency, Repucom, based in London. Prior to this he was regional MD at Octagon for Europe, Middle East and India. Started Crowe Lovett here in Australia which is now Gemba. A former Nike executive, holder of an MBA from the Melbourne Business School, vice chairman of AFL Europe and of course a Bluey Truscott winner for the MFC. Not a bad CV, eh? http://sportsbusinessinsider.com.au/news/category/hr-and-appointments/glenn-lovett-appointed-president-of-global-strategy-at-repucom/

I agree, both current venues are soulless. It's time to create a venue that is well and truly our home. A place that we can be proud of and that will attract people to our club for a variety of reasons. A place that is accessible. For me, I'd love to see this linked to a year-round training facility.

Dendy St is a good suggestion Dee-Luded. My fear is that we'll never by able to arrange integrated training and social facilities near the G. If there is a proposal underway to consider relocating the Bentleigh Club, let's think bigger than a place where people can play pokies or eat a Parma. This is a place where we could build a home with ready made local support at the grassroots level. A place where players can train, supporters can congregate, and all parties can mix and actually feel like one club.

As part of the Bentleigh Club merger a while back, there was discussion that the social facility may be relocated from Yawla St, to a new venue with a better street presence. If that is still under consideration, I would like the club to think more broadly by combining the social facility with a purpose built training venue in that area, making it far more of a home for our club, with a strong community attachment to our old 'zone'. There remains a solid population of Melbourne supporters in the inner-South East, and given St.Kilda abandoned Moorabbin, there is opportunity for a club to embrace that pocket of Melbourne. Yes, we have a connection to Casey, and that can remain, but the club will never operate out there on a day to day basis. Bentleigh or other suburbs in that region are close to the city and may offer a training and social alternative for our club, with a connection to our past. A place to call home that genuinely feels like Demonland rather than shared facilities with other clubs. The local Bentleigh football and cricket clubs are known as the Demons and wear our colours. They do so, and are a fundamental part of that community, but there is no formal attachment to our club. That in itself could provide opportunities. Perhaps it's time we considered the Bentleigh alternative as part of a bold plan to find our feet and grow stronger again.

The logo is the least of our worries. Let's just concentrate on getting a kick, or heaven forbid having a win!

I know we've spoken about the stupidity that goes on at league headquarters regarding clash / alternative jumpers, but what jumper was Hawthorn wearing tonight against Collingwood? Why have they reversed their jumper to have a brown back with yellow numbers? And why would the AFL sign off on that when it moved Hawthorn closer to Collingwood's guernsey then ever before? What a joke.

With the utmost respect Mono, the Fev debacle was enough reason to severe ties then and there. Clearly that recruiting move wasn't in the best interests of the MFC - and really that's what I'm talking about here. Finding the right solution for Melbourne's player development. It doesn't appear to be out at Cranbourne.

Clearly there are many factors that have contributed to our current state, but I can't help thinking that the alignment with Casey continues to weigh us down and doesn't provide the right environment to help bring on our younger players. Sure, I understand what the club is trying to do by tapping into a growth corridor, but Casey is a weak, poorly administered club, whereby survival is very much a year to year proposition. During the days of the Sandringham alignment our younger players were subjected to a successful culture and played with some of the VFL's best week in, week out. It was a very good partnership, and although it might not have had the overall long-term marketing benefits that may (or may not) exist out at Casey, for most part it helped instil a winning way amongst our players. Given our poor track record of player development, perhaps it's about time our VFL pairing is revisited? It may be too expensive for us to go it alone in the near future, but if we're serious about professionalism, this relationship needs to be looked at hard.

Magner's grunt and honesty would be most welcomed. They need to find a way to promote him because his approach and attitude is one of the many qualities we're missing in the senior group.

For me, actions will speak louder than words. I don't want to hear about rebuilding or rebuilding the rebuild. We all know that we've got a young side. Just show me some passion to play, pride in the jumper and most of all, some care! We play like we're feeling sorry for ourselves. Fire up team, and perhaps I will too. Until then I'm not going to waste my time going to watch performances like last night.

The simple fact is the midfield is junk. For such responsibility to be placed on Jack Viney this early in his career is an indictment on the club. But apart from Nathan Jones who else do we have in the midfield that can cut it with first class opposition? Results like last night will become commonplace given our list right now. Early in Bailey's tenure, we struggled to kick goals. This is worse - we struggle to simply get the ball!

The warm up lacks any energy and intent. Players seem to he walking 95 per cent of the time which is pretty much how they play. No one seems to be jumping out of their skin to be playing league footy. They just go through the motions.

I just can't see how we are going to improve. Aside from Dawes, there's no other major names that we're missing right now. I've never felt as helpless as an MFC supporter.

He looked completely disinterested and was clearly incapable of stamping any authority on the game. There was no intent or drive.

I watched the warm up with interest tonight and from that moment it was clear what was coming. We looked lazy and disinterested. There was no sense of urgency. Most players were just walking and at best half jogging. We hear this constant rubbish about elite mind sets and professional cultures. How is it then that we can turn up and not be bothered giving an effort? It is the same when the players head to their positions ahead of each quarter. They stroll! Take a look at Nick Riewoldt they next time he starts a match. He sprints to the goal square and demonstrates intent! We looked defeated before a ball had been bounced.

Neil Craig may be a far better option in the hot seat. An excellent communicator who as we all know got the Crows into the finals for five consecutive years. Adelaide players always spoke highly of him and for the majority of his time as coach, they appeared to play for him.

Neeld can talk to Beretta all he likes, but it will mean nothing. Actions speak louder than words.

An excellent read. Beautifully written. Sadly it sums up reality. How we all long to feel the sort of excitement we experienced back in 1987 when a team playing with spirit and commitment exceeded all expectations. If only we could transplant that sort of spirit into today's rabble. I don't want to read or hear any more puffed up rhetoric from the club about things like elite mindsets, performance cultures and training programs. It means nothing. For me, actions will speak louder than words.