Mark Neeld’s job hangs by a thread entering Monday’s Melbourne board meeting, but the Demons coach insists there are signs of hope from the AFL club’s latest uncompetitive loss.
Neeld will front the Demons board on Monday after his side were thrashed 21.17 (143) to 6.12 (48) by Hawthorn at the MCG on Sunday.
The top-placed Hawks kicked 12 goals to one in an extremely dominant first half, which could have been even more lopsided if not for their early inaccuracy.
But while there is speculation Neeld, who has coached just five wins in 32 games, could be sacked on Monday, he insisted post-match he expected only a routine board meeting and would be shocked if the axe fell.
“I’ve had what I would consider normal conversations with the CEO, normal conversations with the president and the board members. That hasn’t been indicated to me,” Neeld told reporters.
But he’s ready to make his case if pressed.
“We’ve got a really clear pathway that we’re following and we haven’t hidden that from anybody,” Neeld told reporters.
“We believe we’re assembling a really good list that will take us forward.
“We’re not hiding from the fact that we’re particularly upset to get beaten by that much.
“But we’re realistic as well. We’re running around with a development team … I think most people are pretty realistic.”
Demons president Don McLardy said pre-game that structural changes would be made in coming weeks, although he didn’t specify what that meant for Neeld.
Neeld said if the Demons’ focus was results this season, they wouldn’t have used early draft picks on under-age recruit Jesse Hogan, who can’t play AFL until next year, and midfielder Jimmy Toumpas, coming off two hip operations.
He also cited season-highs in the Demons’ one-percenters count – measuring selfless acts – and their disposal tally on Sunday.
While the pressure on Neeld grows, North Melbourne eased the heat on them after a string of narrow losses with a 19.19 (133) to 10.5 (65) thrashing of St Kilda at Etihad Stadium to celebrate Brent Harvey’s 350th game.
Earlier in the round, Collingwood thrashed an injury-depleted Brisbane 14.16 (100) to 7.9 (51) at the Gabba on Friday night.
Carlton outclassed Greater Western Sydney 22.16 (148) to 8.6 (54) at Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
Fremantle held firm to win a tough encounter with Adelaide 10.6 (66) to 8.11 (59) at AAMI Stadium on Saturday to enter the top four and dislodge the Crows from the eight.
Adam Goodes overcame a tough week to star with four goals as third-placed Sydney notched an impressive 17.13 (115) to 10.11 (71) win over Essendon at the SCG on Saturday night.
It was the Bombers’ third loss in four games.
Fast-finishing Geelong downed Gold Coast 18.15 (123) to 10.11 (71) in the first Simonds Stadium night game on Saturday, despite the heroics of the Cats’ former favourite son Gary Ablett.
The Western Bulldogs posted their second straight win, a comeback 10.7 (67) to 8.10 (58) victory over slumping Port Adelaide in Darwin despite losing Tom Williams to a shoulder dislocation.
West Coast host Richmond on Monday night.
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