Swooper Northey

Plenty to like about Kent. Speed, aggression and a decent left foot. Under the right coaching and leadership he could become a terrific little player for the MFC over the long haul. One of the few good news stories in 2013.

There's surely scope to adopt a quality red jumper for so-called 'clash' games. Gold Coast have worn their all red kit against the clubs we supposedly clash with including Essendon, St.Kilda, Port, the Dogs and West Coast - clubs that we wear white against. Isn't that enough reason to ditch the white 'surrender special'? We could wear one of the red designs (with white shorts) referenced in the post below from 2011 - there's a number of good designs there. Just scroll past the white versions at the beginning. http://demonland.com/forums/index.php?/topic/21766-clash-jumper-2011/

I agree that it absolutely defied logic to wear the clash jumper against St.Kilda, but the royal blue should never, ever return to the MFC. It characterised another shocking period in our history, and highlighted another example of weak administration when we caved in to the league and abandoned our traditional navy for a colour that was 'meant' to look better on colour TV. It didn't. Throughout all the years that we wore that jumper, we didn't play in a single final. Ironically it was the year that we reverted to navy that success returned. If we need a clash jumper, we need to look at something with a red base, that looks strong. If the Dogs can do it, surely we can too?

Continues to defy logic wearing the clash jumper against St.Kilda. It is an even greater clash than if we wore our traditional jumper.

Disagree Ralph. Think Port, Essendon, West Coast, Brisbane, Carlton, Gold Coast, Fremantle, Hawthorn, Collingwood. Not many positives coming from those matches.

Neil Craig is an asset and I think with a restructure underway, PJ will find the most suitable and clearly defined role for him heading into the future. I agree that taking charge of a development program could be a great fit. We have been so badly lacking in that area, that if he were dedicated to development full time, he could make a huge difference.

Found this concept on the net - Costa's Sports Logos. Not a bad effort. Cleaner than our current logo. http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee104/mdjcsmith/non-balls/demons-1.jpg

He can release the hand brake on instinct and flair. Neeld turned our players into dour robots who didn't dare try and take the game on. Encouraging our players to be bold, challenge their opponent and run would be a start.

Maybe he could pay him out from the loan he had with the club! It was at a nice low interest rate...

Choco should have been seriously considered post Bailey. He had all the attributes that we needed when we decided to go down the Neeld path. I'd be happy to see him in charge. Aside from his toughness and tactical nous, I think he'd bring some spark, spirit and even some fun to the place which has been so badly lacking. I don't think he'd talk about attempted tackles or 'competitive quarters'. He certainly wouldn't be wheeling out the 'it is what it is' line!

For those reasons alone Colin, I'm really glad we're getting some outside perspective from people like Jackson..and possibly Kennett. People who will set a much higher standard and not slip into the mindset of mediocrity that has prevailed at the club for too long. We used to delight in winning games of footy, but we've been starved of success for so long, that in recent times terms like 'competitive quarters' and six goal losses have been dressed up to be positives. It's time to break that cycle.

Ralph, with respect...I think it's fair to say that everyone who posts on Demonland wants the club to be successful again. We've all got our own theories about how that can happen. Whether you believe Neeld should go or stay is a personal opinion. But it is not time to turn on your fellow supporters. Agree with P_Man, no need for the term 'they'. On this forum, it should be 'we'.

Aside from his ticket, I'm interested to hear more about his vision for the club. There's a lot of knockers out there regarding Jeff, but ironically, he's showing more passion and hunger than anyone to lead the club. I never voted for him during his time in office, but if he's willing to step up and help our club, I'm willing to listen. I don't see too many others stepping forward in our hour of need.

The Woey decision still makes me ill. He was the sort of character that younger players learn from - someone who was structured, hard working and disciplined. A player who was admired and respected. We lost a hell of a lot when we let him go. I think plenty of supporters still feel cheated by that move.

If we could attract Matthews, it would be a big win. No doubt about it. Exactly the sort of bloke we need.

Thanks Don. I'll always respect and admire you for the support you gave Jimmy throughout his battle.

I was never a fan of Kennett's politics, but I reckon Don could have been smarter here. If we have a former state premier showing concern for the club and offering himself to help, why would we shut him down, particularly in such an aggressive tone? We're hardly in a good place right now. We should be listening to ideas and gathering perspectives. Don could have said that he was surprised by the comments because Jeff hadn't approached the club directly, but if there's anyone out there that wants to help the club, he'll listen...Jeff Kennett included. That's his responsibility as president.

As supporters we naturally invested trust in Neeld following his appointmemt back in 2011. We were buoyed by his no-nonsense approach and declaration that he would get us fit, give us a finals-style gameplan and make us the toughest team to play in the competition. These were big words that sounded great. But the talk compared to the reality have been two very different things. No one can argue with that. After yet another 80 point drubbing and absolutely no signs of progress during his year and a half at the helm, he has done little to repay the faith. The more I watch, the more I am saddened and angered that he has stripped our club of flair, confidence and above all else, hope. I spent 2012 backing him, then after that horrific year, was willing to give him the benefit of the doubt heading into 2013. My patience has run out. Time is up.

Following the safe path has got us nowhere. We've had one president in our recent past who has managed to get things moving and that was Jimmy. He was special, he commanded respect and people listended. But either side of his tenure, we've just had the wrong leadership in place - Gutnick, Szondy, Gardner, McLardy. Unfortunately they've contributed to our passive image.Jackson is an excellent appointment as CEO, but we will need bold leadership at the board level. I don't care if the Kennett idea goes nowhere, but unlike some I'm willing to consider the thought. As a club we're stale - I'm all for someone trying to shake it up.

The club is so quiet that a couple of comments from Jeff on radio cut through far more than anything the current board has to say. He has a vision for the club and he speaks with conviction about it. I like that - it was more convincing than anything I've heard Don or the current board say. I never voted for him when he was in office, but one thing remains true - when he talks, people listen. Freeman might be a very worthy candidate, but who would know? The silence from club is deafening.

I was never a fan of his politics, but Jeff offers something that we simply don't have - a voice that people will listen to. He's clearly up for the challenge and wants to get his hands dirty. I don't see too many people stepping up to fix the mess we're in. If he's a willing candidate, I'd be up for letting him rattle the cage. Yes, he can be unpredictable, but he will demand results, not mediocrity. He won't stand for the utter garbage we're serving up right now. And given his ego, he won't want to preside over a club that is failing - that could be a powerful thing. We have played it safe for years, why not think outside the sqaure about such an appointment? Don McLardy is a very good man and has worked hard for the club. I'll never forget the wonderful support he showed Jimmy. But it's time for him to step aside as the club seeks to rebuild...again.

His qualifications come first. He has very good credentials and was well regarded throughout a long tenure. The fact that he was hand picked by Dick Pratt to come to Carlton with Greg Swann says something. That he played for the MFC is a pleasant coincidence - it may mean that he has some genuine care and affection for the place. That to me isn't a bad thing.

Clearly we're looking to appoint a GM of Football Operations. What about Steven Icke? Former Bluey Truscott winner, GM of Ops at Freo and Carlton. Now GM of High Performance for Basketball Australia. Eventually fell out with Ratten at Carlton and left the club, but was highly regarded as a very good operator in league circles over many years. Could be a very worthy candidate?

We made bad choices when appointing our past two senior coaches - those decisions have contributed to the culture we're trying to shake off right now. Bailey wasn't the right bloke and neither was Neeld. A good coach can make a difference. Look at what Lyon has done at Freo.

What then does the coach take responsibility for, if not the performance of his side?