Melbourne rebuild vs Bulldogs rebuild

[LostDoggy]

Re: Melbourne rebuild vs Bulldogs rebuild

Yep, agree that their strategy has been a little strange - almost trying to have 2 bites of the apple, by drafting both long term & short term options.

Could part of this strategy have been because it was rumoured that the penalties to be handed down due to the tanking fiasco were going to include the loss of current & future draft picks so they just 'burnt' them all before the decision was made?

You could safely assume that couldn't you? We were all shocked when they were given the slap on the wrist that they received, obviously because the AFL thought if they took away draft picks they'd kill the club.

I would've preferred the AFL did it the other way around — no financial penalties whatsoever, but a loss of draft picks. Would've sent the right message, and been closer to justice.

Either way, the worst part of Melbourne's dilemma, and where it differs from struggles we've been through, and Fitzroy, etc. is that nobody feels very sorry for them. They gamed the system and lost.

[Sedat]

Re: Melbourne rebuild vs Bulldogs rebuild

Either way, the worst part of Melbourne's dilemma, and where it differs from struggles we've been through, and Fitzroy, etc. is that nobody feels very sorry for them. They gamed the system and lost.

I stopped feeling sorry for them ever since Round 22 1987 - not too many people were happy to see Buckenara break their hearts a few weeks later in the 1987 PF but I found it very amusing at the time (still do). Hated it when Loinchop kicked 10 goals against our midget defenders in the 1994 finals series, and my dislike for them was cemented by the awful Jeff White free kick against Wayde Skipper in early 2005. Factor in front running cats like Darren Cuthbertson, Adem Yze, Aaron Davey, Travis Johnstone, Russell Robertson and Shane Woewoful who all used to torch us from time to time and they are a club that won't get an ounce of sympathy from me for their current self-inflicted plight. Not to mention conspiring with GC and GWS last year to ensure that Viney slipped through to pick 27, so they can GOGF right now as far as I'm concerned.

Yep, I've been known to hold a grudge....

[Missing-Dog]

Re: Melbourne rebuild vs Bulldogs rebuild

I stopped feeling sorry for them ever since Round 22 1987 - not too many people were happy to see Buckenara break their hearts a few weeks later in the 1987 PF but I found it very amusing at the time (still do). Hated it when Loinchop kicked 10 goals against our midget defenders in the 1994 finals series, and my dislike for them was cemented by the awful Jeff White free kick against Wayde Skipper in early 2005. Factor in front running cats like Darren Cuthbertson, Adem Yze, Aaron Davey, Travis Johnstone, Russell Robertson and Shane Woewoful who all used to torch us from time to time and they are a club that won't get an ounce of sympathy from me for their current self-inflicted plight. Not to mention conspiring with GC and GWS last year to ensure that Viney slipped through to pick 27, so they can GOGF right now as far as I'm concerned.

Yep, I've been known to hold a grudge....

And I thought it was just me.

"Note - Skipper free kick was second last round in 2005. The loss of that game meant we had to rely on the Bombers defeating Melbourne in the final round to allow us to play finals"

[Greystache]

Re: Melbourne rebuild vs Bulldogs rebuild

Just saw that in an open letter on the Melbourne website Neeld has got the full support of the board- Dead man walking.

[KT31]

Re: Melbourne rebuild vs Bulldogs rebuild

Just saw that in an open letter on the Melbourne website Neeld has got the full support of the board- Dead man walking.

From a selfish point I hope they keep him at least until our game.
I like Sedat don't have any sympathy for them.
For years at work I had to listen to a arrogant Dee's supportor and it just grated on me.
They where my biggest hate side for years until the Saint's game out of the woodwork.
Only reason they are still in the competition is because of their name.

[westdog54]

Re: Melbourne rebuild vs Bulldogs rebuild

With respect, Gary Lyon is full of shit.

I really rated him as a player, but post his playing career he's been happy to meddle behind the scenes but not put his balls on the line and take an active and accountable role at the footy club.

It's time he buggered off, and let the club move on without him.

How does he convince the general public that he's done that, short of barracking for another team?

[Mofra]

Re: Melbourne rebuild vs Bulldogs rebuild

Development of the talent once it arrives at the club has been Melbourne's biggest downfall, not the actual talent they bring to the club. It's the old chicken and egg argument - is the talent actually there or has the young talent not been developed to its fullest potential once it arrives? I'd say Melbourne have developed poorly moreso than drafted poorly in the last few years.

I think trading strategy has something to do with this - they packaged off a lot of their older brigade who would have certainly helped the young kids develop properly (James McDonald a prime example).

They've now panicked and tried to correct a list imbalance by trading - and they've got that wrong too (Rodan & Pederson??).
Double whammy.

[Remi Moses]

Re: Melbourne rebuild vs Bulldogs rebuild

The development of their players is the big problem.
That with seasons of ingraining a losing thought process .
The fans then the players got a feeling that things will be okay with early picks.
The only time they've been a fearsome foe was under Northey.

Footnote. Who will forget their members voting the club out of existence !

[Guest]

Re: Melbourne rebuild vs Bulldogs rebuild

You could safely assume that couldn't you? We were all shocked when they were given the slap on the wrist that they received, obviously because the AFL thought if they took away draft picks they'd kill the club.

I would've preferred the AFL did it the other way around — no financial penalties whatsoever, but a loss of draft picks. Would've sent the right message, and been closer to justice.

Either way, the worst part of Melbourne's dilemma, and where it differs from struggles we've been through, and Fitzroy, etc. is that nobody feels very sorry for them. They gamed the system and lost.

The AFL investigation was so hamfisted and amateurish that Melbourne actually wanted the AFL to go hard on them. They had a list of QC's and a case lined lined up (obviously supporters) ready to take the AFL to court where Andy and Co would have been hugely embarrassed and laughed out on their backsides.

[jeemak]

Re: Melbourne rebuild vs Bulldogs rebuild

How does he convince the general public that he's done that, short of barracking for another team?

Would the first step be to actually do it?

It's clear his partial involvement hasn't worked to this point, so he should either back right off or go all in.

The footy world's small enough for people to genuinely know if he's stepped away. After all, how does everyone know he's currently a big player behind the scenes?

[KT31]

Re: Melbourne rebuild vs Bulldogs rebuild

I met Gary Lyon and thought he was arrogant dick.
I have also met Paul Roos and thought the same.
The difference between the two is Roosie can be as arrogant as he wants, he put his heart and sole on the line and won his club a flag.
Lyon has just trid to make a name for himself in the media and is just a prize twat.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Melbourne rebuild vs Bulldogs rebuild

How does he convince the general public that he's done that, short of barracking for another team?

Well, first, of course, he needs to do it. Then he needs to stop being photographed outside headquarters every time there's a crisis, start backing the club in the media from the position of former-player-turned-just-plain-old-supporter, and stop putting his name up for the panel to pick the coach.

The comparison other posters have drawn to Dimattina is spot on, except Lyon has real clout. His primary focus all this time seems to have been in “helping” his former club whilst distancing his reputation from the outcomes. A lot of flak thrown at Neeld and Craig, but they at least put their name on the board.

I'm actually really looking forward to seeing the Footy Show this week, just to watch that hairy buffoon have an opinion without having an opinion.

[Ghost Dog]

Re: Melbourne rebuild vs Bulldogs rebuild

Schwab gone. Gets boring listening to the media go on about Melbourne Footy Club. It's like having to read about some failed, rehab rebounding celeb in the paper all the time.

[jeemak]

Re: Melbourne rebuild vs Bulldogs rebuild

So even with the off-field turnaround of the club throughout his tenure he's been given the flick.

Did he have a great deal of input into the club's on-field running? Or is this a sign that he had more to do with the tanking scandal than meets the eye?

Could you imagine Campbell Rose being given the flick by Smorgon if we crumbled in 2008-2010 after the shocking 2007 we had?

[Remi Moses]

Re: Melbourne rebuild vs Bulldogs rebuild

Tanking front an centre. They couldn't nail him and wouldn't be shocked if the Dees got a call from HQ.
We'll help but get rid of Schwab.