FIND out what’s being said about the club in the major daily newspapers on Saturday, November 12, 2011
Herald Sun
Neeld’s hardline approach to lift Dees
By Mark Stevens
MARK Neeld has both arms wrapped around a giant tree and is shaking furiously. Staff members and players of the AFL's oldest eucalypt, Melbourne, are clinging to branches. Neeld is the first to admit he has brought a new, direct style of management to the Demons, conceding there is some apprehension at the club. "I don't know whether confronting is the right word, but I've been different," Neeld said. The new coach said he had set about "challenging people, respectfully". "Whether I'm kidding myself or making myself sound nice, that's what I'm calling it. I'll run with that," Neeld said. But the fact is, Neeld stirs very little sugar into his conversations. He has left nobody at the club wondering what he requires of them. "I've come from a club, Collingwood, that is very direct. Very direct. I really like that," Neeld says. "That's not for everyone. I understand that . . . and that's set right from the top."
Lift your game, Neeld tells Watts
By Mark Stevens
NEW Melbourne coach Mark Neeld has delivered a blunt wake-up call to No.1 draft pick Jack Watts, urging him to focus on becoming an elite footballer. Neeld has challenged Watts to find new levels of fitness and hunger leading up to the opening round of next season. "He's got to develop a massive work ethic and appetite to play footy," Neeld said. "All that other stuff . . . people don't want you in TV ads if you can't play. "Just play footy, mate." Watts, with the backing of the Demons, last season became the face of a major TV advertising campaign for sponsor Energy Watch. His profile also increased through appearances on Channel 9's The Footy Show, but it is clear Neeld wants Watts to put all his efforts into fulfilling his potential on the field."My message to Jack could not be any clearer. You've played 40 games young man, you've got a long way to go," he said. "I've had a chat with Jack and my advice was crystal clear . . . don't forget your core business and train really hard. Jack needs to train his backside off. "Get to know the new sports science director really well, get to know your new coaches really well, but the way you can really improve is that you just work your backside off. "All the stuff that people think about Jack, in terms of where he can get to, that only happens if you've got a massive work ethic to fall back on."
The Age
Neeld’s blank canvas
By Michael Gleeson
MARK Neeld has two pieces of furniture in his small office. One is a desk. It's a stubby little thing, short and to the point. The other is a small round white Laminex table with a few seats around it. Players who come in have the choice: the table or the desk. If it is a relaxed discussion it is counterintuitively done at the desk, the workspace. Serious discussions aren't at the desk because at the desk there is always a distraction - computer, phone, papers. If a serious discussion is to be had, it is at the small table. There is nothing on the table until matters are laid out, and then everything is put on the table. Most people get the choice. Some players don't. Colin Sylvia didn't. He sat at the table. ''The meeting with Colin was short and it was clear. His behaviour was unacceptable,'' Neeld said. ''The message to him was I have no interest in dealing with players who think they can drink alcohol the night before a training session. That is not high performance. You chose to do that, there is a penalty involved, you are not playing round one. ''Col got the same message that the rest of the players got and that is that [as a new coach] it was a blank canvas, I don't know you. Put your head down and show us by your actions. I am not one for sitting down and listening to all the promises in the world. You just have to get the job done, find a way and get it done.'' Neeld emerged in coaching from teaching. He breaks into a smile easily and laughs readily. He is the father of three daughters. He is intelligent and chooses his words carefully. But understatement is not akin to no statement. Several players have already emerged from his small office with the expression of a boy who watched his cat being run over. Sylvia was one. Jack Watts another. Asked about Watts and his potential at the club with the arrival recently of key forward Mitch Clark, Neeld was unexcitable. ''So far, it is clear Mitch Clark is a very hard trainer and I think that is good for Jack Watts to see,'' he said.
Herald Sun
Neeld’s hardline approach to lift Dees
By Mark Stevens
MARK Neeld has both arms wrapped around a giant tree and is shaking furiously. Staff members and players of the AFL's oldest eucalypt, Melbourne, are clinging to branches. Neeld is the first to admit he has brought a new, direct style of management to the Demons, conceding there is some apprehension at the club. "I don't know whether confronting is the right word, but I've been different," Neeld said. The new coach said he had set about "challenging people, respectfully". "Whether I'm kidding myself or making myself sound nice, that's what I'm calling it. I'll run with that," Neeld said. But the fact is, Neeld stirs very little sugar into his conversations. He has left nobody at the club wondering what he requires of them. "I've come from a club, Collingwood, that is very direct. Very direct. I really like that," Neeld says. "That's not for everyone. I understand that . . . and that's set right from the top."
Lift your game, Neeld tells Watts
By Mark Stevens
NEW Melbourne coach Mark Neeld has delivered a blunt wake-up call to No.1 draft pick Jack Watts, urging him to focus on becoming an elite footballer. Neeld has challenged Watts to find new levels of fitness and hunger leading up to the opening round of next season. "He's got to develop a massive work ethic and appetite to play footy," Neeld said. "All that other stuff . . . people don't want you in TV ads if you can't play. "Just play footy, mate." Watts, with the backing of the Demons, last season became the face of a major TV advertising campaign for sponsor Energy Watch. His profile also increased through appearances on Channel 9's The Footy Show, but it is clear Neeld wants Watts to put all his efforts into fulfilling his potential on the field."My message to Jack could not be any clearer. You've played 40 games young man, you've got a long way to go," he said. "I've had a chat with Jack and my advice was crystal clear . . . don't forget your core business and train really hard. Jack needs to train his backside off. "Get to know the new sports science director really well, get to know your new coaches really well, but the way you can really improve is that you just work your backside off. "All the stuff that people think about Jack, in terms of where he can get to, that only happens if you've got a massive work ethic to fall back on."
The Age
Neeld’s blank canvas
By Michael Gleeson
MARK Neeld has two pieces of furniture in his small office. One is a desk. It's a stubby little thing, short and to the point. The other is a small round white Laminex table with a few seats around it. Players who come in have the choice: the table or the desk. If it is a relaxed discussion it is counterintuitively done at the desk, the workspace. Serious discussions aren't at the desk because at the desk there is always a distraction - computer, phone, papers. If a serious discussion is to be had, it is at the small table. There is nothing on the table until matters are laid out, and then everything is put on the table. Most people get the choice. Some players don't. Colin Sylvia didn't. He sat at the table. ''The meeting with Colin was short and it was clear. His behaviour was unacceptable,'' Neeld said. ''The message to him was I have no interest in dealing with players who think they can drink alcohol the night before a training session. That is not high performance. You chose to do that, there is a penalty involved, you are not playing round one. ''Col got the same message that the rest of the players got and that is that [as a new coach] it was a blank canvas, I don't know you. Put your head down and show us by your actions. I am not one for sitting down and listening to all the promises in the world. You just have to get the job done, find a way and get it done.'' Neeld emerged in coaching from teaching. He breaks into a smile easily and laughs readily. He is the father of three daughters. He is intelligent and chooses his words carefully. But understatement is not akin to no statement. Several players have already emerged from his small office with the expression of a boy who watched his cat being run over. Sylvia was one. Jack Watts another. Asked about Watts and his potential at the club with the arrival recently of key forward Mitch Clark, Neeld was unexcitable. ''So far, it is clear Mitch Clark is a very hard trainer and I think that is good for Jack Watts to see,'' he said.
