Neeld revealed at a press conference on Wednesday morning that he had decided to appoint and announce the leadership group in February rather than on the eve of round one of the premiership season in late March as originally suggested. The players have been informed of the slightly amended timetable.
Neeld indicated he already had a reasonable idea of the direction the decision was heading even as the selection process continues to play out but he preferred to keep those thoughts to himself.
"We're making judgments all the time," said Neeld when asked about the leadership issue. "The players know the process that the coaches are going through."
He did give some insight as to what would be expected of Melbourne's captain in 2012 when he spoke of the qualities he expected from any player on the Demons' list. "The characteristics we are after would be no different to any other club or any other sporting club," said Neeld. "We want guys to deliver through actions. We want guys to be consistent in their performance and we want players who are going to be a positive influence on the rest of their teammates and their whole club and we want players who can consistently show it's not just about leadership of a footy team, it's about [leading] a club and it's a sporting code."
Neeld said the 'blank canvas' approach he took into the pre-season had been positive.
"In terms of training there has been a level of intensity initially that's about - not making statements, it is not the right terminology - they're out there impressing a new coaching group," said Neeld. "We're beginning to know the players but reality still says we're in our 10th week of training so we don't know them intimately about how they go about footy but we're getting a fair idea so there has probably been an initial upward spike in intensity by the players."
Intensity was the question mark that hovered above skilful forward Liam Jurrah in 2011. Neeld revealed he would like to see intensity in the way Jurrah chases and tackles but he would make the same demands to any other forward. Despite being in plaster for the next three weeks, Jurrah was running and on track to play the NAB Cup after undergoing wrist surgery just before Christmas.
