Mark Neeld has been hit with a cacophony of conjecture and criticism about the way his coaching tenure at the Melbourne Football Club has begun.
Not only has he borne the brunt of media attacks and opinion, but also others have been dragged in to the bloodletting, namely Gary Lyon last week.
Ironically, he was criticised for criticising Neeld, by Mark Maclure on AFL 360. The centre half forward, who won a premiership with Carlton, contended that Lyon is not in a position to pass opinion on Neeld, as the fact he was part of the decision to appoint Neeld means he is conflicted.
When the issue is viewed in this way, it seems to me the crux of the matter is lost. This saga is about the Melbourne Football Club, its players and Mark Neeld. It only stifles discussion on the real problems when matters from the periphery like this are dealt with.
Furthermore sensationalism and attempts to assess Neeld’s job in a global context, namely football are not useful. Yesterday on SEN1116 callers and on air talent alike would compare the fledgling coach to hastily sacked soccer mangers like Andre Villas-Boas at Chelsea.
But comparisons are futile. The differences in sport, cultures and organisational structures are immense. At the biggest football clubs there are usually long standing youth structures, scouting policies, and most of all, money.
A manager has can usually, within reason, pick and choose any player they want from an enormous pool.
Due to this, it is more conceivable to sack a manager if results do not come quickly. For the most part they have a pre-season of transferring and planning to get a team going.
However in the AFL the system is completely different. The draft system is the obvious reason. A coach cannot turn up and make dramatic changes to personal and playing staff overnight. It takes time to build a list and to sculpt them into a cohesive unit. Most development leagues and lower competitions play similar styles of footy creating similar types of players.
In football, a game plan is easier to change as players usually come from diverse international and youth based systems, were they have been exposed to varying types of play.
A great example is Roberto Martinez, the coach of Wigan in the English Premier League. With less than half the season left he overhauled the way Wigan played, with a different defensive structure and more potent attack and saved them from the drop. Around Christmas time he was to be sacked. Now, Liverpool wants him.
Neeld needs to be given time. He cannot and should not be judged on what looks like will be a 0-11 start to this season.
Melbourne was a disaster before Neeld came. They scored freely last year smashing teams, but could be easily belted.
While this style of football might be exciting, effervescent and attractive, it does not win premierships. Defensively smart and fit teams do.
Transition into attack needs to be quick and brave.
Adelaide under Brenton Sanderson is a great example. He, unlike Neeld, has inherited a great list. He has two powerful forwards in Tippett and Walker, while Neeld has a makeshift forward in Mitch Clark with Jeremy Howe, a mid sized leaper, being the only worthy support act.
In the midfield Nathan Jones and Mark Jamar continue to stand up, as does the mature age recruit James Magner. Nathan Frawley is solid at full back. These players, plus Clark are the only ones who have excelled to any lengths this year.
Sanderson at Adelaide has more in his midfield that Melbourne do in their team. Dangerfield, Sloane, Thompson, Porpliyzia, Van Berlo and Vince have been excellent this year.
Adelaide are blessed with guys who have played finals and are disciplined. The physical culture started by Neil Craig, along with the club’s brilliant facilities and structures is also largely responsible for the success.
Melbourne, however, in the recent past has been strapped for money. The club has been led predominantly by Neale Daniher, who has been attacked as a reactionary, uninspiring and harsh coach by Darren Jolly in Wednesday’s Age Sport.
Even though they showed signs last year, Melbourne is beginning behind the eight ball. The whole club needs time to get used to the ways of Neeld.
Neeld must get used to coaching and the players must to realise they pitiful job they’re doing.
For this Mark Neeld needs time. He needs less media and irate fans telling him what to do.
His time will come.
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Now that was a quick change of mind!
