Is that frustrating for you to watch?
It’s not ideal. Really disappointed. I am using that word a bit. I came with high expectations and we couldn’t get near them in the first half. I thought the second half at least we balanced up and won that half. I think entries in the second half were equal. But, when the game was up for grabs we were off. Around the pace, around the contest and on the spread. We went in, had a little bit of life early. We just went in and they scored, nothing bounced back out which has been our problem all year. We turned it over centre back an incredible amount of times and it’s a continuing trend. Particularly in the first half, the numbers were frightening. We stopped that a bit in the second half, but it was really disappointing.
Do you read anything into the heat to the boys being a bit lethargic?
No, that is just a cop out to be truthful. We (could say we) don’t like the cold In Melbourne and we don’t like the heat in the Northern Territory. We are a no excuse football club, we see ourselves as a serious football club and we have some learning and growing to do. There was some individual performances in the second half, like Stephen Hill. He couldn’t have tried any harder. Langdon's second half. There were bits and pieces around the edges, but none of us put our best foot forward here tonight.
Was the start extra disappointing because of the start against Collingwood?
Yes. We prepared really well and trained really hard on the Thursday. Intense training at the start and we’ve spoken about it. Talk's cheap, you’ve got to get it done…. We don’t know what we want. To Melbourne’s credit they are a much-improved team. Around the ball, our midfield at the minute has been getting obliterated in certain periods, in the contest and on the spread. That needs plenty of work in there.
Pressure not enough: Neale
Seven weeks to go what’s the feeling among the group?
I expect them to be as high as they possibly can. You can’t be defined by results. They don’t give you success. Get motivated and work hard. You have to start without any guarantees. You’ve got to do the work and take the most risk to train hard and compete hard. Start on the journey of improvement. That’s how it’s done. No one walks the cup in and says ‘here is the cup’. Get your enthusiasm levels high, become a dedicated group, learn and harden up. You’ve got to do everything first and then success follows. Our players should understand that and I am pretty sure they do. If they don’t, we will help them. All of us have got to do the work.
What do you say to the younger guys after a loss like that?
I feel like I have answered that. All year we have been pretty good. It has to come from within. I think I am as enthusiastic and as frustrated as I have been. Some of the stuff I haven’t experienced before but I am working through that. And I am sure the club is. We have some terrific leaders. Sandilands, Fyfe in the background have been fantastic working with them. It’s the coach's job to remain vibrant. It’s got to be an uncomfortable environment, but we are comfortable with being uncomfortable. We still have to challenge and hold to account, but with the view to learn. That is the environment we are in. It has been pretty healthy. It has some challenges. But nothing we can’t work through. Plenty of clubs have been in this position and worked through. We have started the journey of improvement and we need to continue on it.
Friday night against an old rival in Geelong, do you think that could be a situation where you can make a bit of a statement?
No, I wouldn’t have thought so. I don’t think it is about who it is. There is no more incentive to come out and play Melbourne off the bye and a disappointing performance. If you need a different coloured guernsey to get you up and some old history, you are in the wrong business
How did you see Griffin’s game over Max Gawn’s?
I thought Gawn was pretty good. I thought Griffin had bits and pieces, first game off a hammy. Max has become one of the premier ruckmen in the competition. Clearly he lost weight, he leaned up and become a hard trainer and now he is getting the positive outcomes. No one said, ‘Max you are a good player, go and train hard’. That is a good example of what I am talking about. You’ve got to do the work and embark on the journey of hard work and discipline. Results will follow.
Anyone coming back from Peel?
I don’t think it's players coming back from Peel. It’s players coming off long-term injury. We’ll have a look at that in due course. There are no miracles coming back through the door. I think we will get one or two back and that will hopefully help at Peel because they have felt the brunt of the injuries. Michael Barlow is the obvious one as I am starting to think about it. But not too many.
Did you have any feedback on Morabito for Peel Thunder today?
I think it was a pretty tough day in Perth, so nothing specific.
Injury wise are you ok after tonight?
Mundy had a concussion, so if you are curious why...he had that head knock and he was ruled out. Hopefully he is a chance to get up, but no guarantee.
