It was three-quarter time and Mark Neeld was on the verge of losing to GWS and the precipice of dying in early childhood as an AFL coach. He told his players to “do it for the supporters”.
I hope he wasn’t talking about the same ‘supporters’ who abused them after the thrashing by Port Adelaide.
Or especially those who, seeking the publicity given to the former, made their way down to the players’ race the following week to join the festival of vitriol after the even bigger annihilation at the hands of Essendon.
And surely Neeld wasn’t referring to the so-called fans who were jeering him as he spoke.
Neeld may have to be moved on but not before those supporters who have become abusers.
The abuse after the Round 1 debacle was partially understandable given it was believed the Power were basket cases, which we now know they’re not.
The realisation during the Essendon game that Melbourne were no good, rather than not trying, didn’t prevent the appalling spectacle of further supporters putting their verbal boots in.
An underperforming worker can be compensated for ‘stress’ and ‘humiliation’ caused by being taken into an office and politely reminded of the fact. It’s possible for a travelling public servant engaged in ‘vigorous’ sex to receive a payout for pulling a motel light fitting down upon themselves.
The WorkSafe TV ads showing bosses asking employees to attempt tasks that may cripple them and the workers agreeing to perform them are meant to be comical but footballers agree to such conditions every time they run out to play.
Players have to bear never-ending abuse from opposition supporters without compensation or the freedom to retaliate because that is the unique lot of footballers.
But abuse from your own supporters is another matter. If I was a Melbourne player all bets would be off.
“It’s been difficult to be a Melbourne supporter,” said Neeld, but not more difficult than being a Melbourne player, or the coach.
The confidence Neeld exuded on his appointment has gone forever it seems. Clearly, he can’t be faulted for lack of effort. In fact, his trying to be a successful AFL coach seems to be killing him.
The club’s membership promotion stresses the tribal nature of its supporters. Aren’t those who were caught – especially those wanting to be seen – screaming at the players guilty of disloyalty to the Demon tribe?
The AFL protects its umpires by penalising criticism of them. The clubs should do the same for their players and coaches.
The Melbourne cheer squad should examine the footage and expel the offenders or, in the Ecuadorian tribal tradition, have their heads shrunken and mounted on the MCG goalposts.
Or better still, let the players return fire.
The coach’s message at three-quarter time should have been: “Let’s do this for our real supporters!”
And while walking off the ground, the players could have searched for those scowling faces that hurled abuse a fortnight ago, looked them in the eye, and shouted: “This one’s not for you bastards!”
Richard
Guest
I definitely sympathise with you Troy. I think a major clear out is required with the chairman, Craig, neeld, viney, etc to go. Clear the links to the past 5plus years and restart from scratch. As Port ADelaide has shown under Koch and the new coaching team - a proper coaching team with hinkley and Richardson having experience, it doesn't take much to get the team heading in the right direction. Otherwise I suppose unfortunately the question of melbourne's relevance despite their oldest club status needs to be questioned. That would be a sad day. Anyway, lets wait and hope.
Troy
Guest
Well I am a Melbourne supporter , maybe if neeld didn't come out and say we will be the hardest team to beat I his press conference when he got the club and also maybe if the players didn't come out and say we were disappoint with that hiding and will never happen again which in the few years it's been more often and not , and the club and the players come ours a d say we need I on board that's fine but those people pay for memberships which are about 220 for the cheapest one unlike those players who earn over 150000 thousand easily for doing nothing we are entitled to have a go mate , Melbourne have been talkin it up for a few years and done nothing we r sick of it
Richard
Guest
You have every right to show your anger and displeasure to your team. I am not a melbourne supporter but I feel sorry for them so can understand their feelings. However there is a right way and a wrong way to voice your opinion. Hanging over the walkway and hurling obscenities at the players when there are children about is frankly not on. Trust me, if anyone of those so-called supporters carried on that way next to me then I wouldn't stand for it. By all means go ahead an boo your team or tell them what you think but remember that parents take their kids to the game also and those kids are probably just as shattered as you and probably more so. I have been to too many English football matches and hope that AFL crowds never ever go that far.
Rich_daddy
Roar Guru
Rubbish. AFL footballers are privileged highly paid young men. It is a ruthless industry and if you don't perform you out on your arse. Fans have every right to be criticial ihen their team serves up rubbish year after year (I am not a Demons supporter in case you were wondering). If you can't hack it, there there.... there's the door! Next you'll be saying coaches should not be criticised because it might hurt their feelings. Oh and I think officials should be able to be criticise umpires. When a player makes a mistake, they get criticised why should it be different for the umpires?
Wilson Flatley
Guest
It is the same as politics; if you put yourself in a public position and enjoy the high salary and position in society then you open yourself up to criticism from those that pay your wages. If you can't cop it you can easily go get a different job and someone with a bit more mettle will fill your place. I never agree with racist or sexist abuse but calling a player a gutless coward when he has been paid thousands and ran around like a gutless coward is entirely fair enough. This article is in my opinion a load of garbage. -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
TomC
Roar Guru
Demons fans insist on booing the player who's done more for them in past years than anyone else. Tom Scully. They got tier one compensation for the bloke when he left. Clearly not worth that much. Two first round draft picks. Gives them a future. They should be cheering him hoarse.
AdamS
Roar Guru
Ticker tape parades and roaring adulation from a sea of delirious fans.. The other is the flip side. You take the money and accept the position on one side, the fans pay their money on the other. Yin and Yang. And thus it has always been.
shane
Guest
Wow! Mike, you do have a right to voice an opinion regardless if you pay $300 for a membership or not. The point of the article is about how you voice that opinion. Hanging over the race furling abuse at players is not acceptable, full stop! It is not acceptable to abuse another person in the street, work or well, anywhere so never understand why people think it is ok to abuse another human being because they play sport! I'm a Richmond fan and trust me, which has been an exercise in frustration and heart break but never in all my years following the mighty yellow and black have I even considered resorting to hurling abuse at the players, regardless of how bad they may have performed. And yes I know, you will come back and say that Richmond fans are terrible when it comes to this type of behaviour, but that doesn't make it right and has never been something I have condoned. So if you don't mind leave that argument on the shelf please. I too like yourself pay to be a member of a footy team, not so I "have the right to voice an opinion" as you put it, but to belong to a club which I love regardless of the outcome. Being a member does not make you a true supporter, a true supporter will be there regardless of the membership and support their club no matter the outcome. Great article Andrew.
Tony Tea
Guest
It's a fan's right to boo his (or even her) team. If it's good enough for the likes of the Yankees, it's good enough for an AFL club. And if the players can't handle it, the poor petals, they can ship out.
Mike
Guest
Who writes this garbage. If you have the right to charge a member over 300 bucks for a membership then that member should have the right to voice their opinion on the disgrace of being that member. Just like if I paid $1000 for an Armani suit only to find out later it was a target suit. I could go to an MLB game for $8 but to see this debacle of a game noone knows the rules to and watch your team not really put an effort in well maybe the players shouldn't even bother walking out on the field. For a player to show no heart, pride, hunger, or enthusiasm when there's a million fans ready to take their place for $400, 000 less pay, they should expect abuse and welcome it.