Autopsy Dogs win another close one.

[4Seasons]

Re Beveridge's comments on McNeil. We supporters can only make comments about what our eyes tell us. In many games over the past few seasons, when selected, McNeil has had minimal impact and has made crucial errors at important times such as missing sitters in front of goal. In my view he has always been a bit too much 'outside' the action and it's no coincidence that he has been dropped numerous times. If there is a developing change in his output in terms of pressure acts, attack on the ball and an improved contribution overall then that's a good thing that we can all comment on constructively and give praise. I do think, however, that Bev's comments that McNeil is a whipping boy amongst our supporters and that "pisses him off" is a bit over the top.

The criticism of our club by people who cannot control their emotions is what is over the top

 

[Sharpiesadog]

The criticism of our club by people who cannot control their emotions is what is over the top

Ever since professional team sport has been running, team supporters have generally had a whipping boy. It’s just human nature(sadly) to find someone to blame when your team doesn’t win.

I generally groan and have a whinge to my son if certain players are in the team. That doesn’t mean I boo them at the game or want them to fail. I will also cheer them as loudly as anyone else when they do something good. It’s just we can all see who our lesser players are, and we all want a team of ‘a’ graders, always, which of course is not possible. All I ask is that they give their all every team they step on the field.

I think Bevo’s backing of his players is why they support him, mostly.

The excellent English journalist Liz Truss wrote a book about being the first female sport writer for an English newspaper. She was sent to follow Spurs for a whole season. She wrote a great passage about not knowing about the ‘whipping boy’ concept until she followed a team regularly. It had her totally flummoxed for a little while. She also had a great line about how unfair it is that when said ‘whipping boy’ did something good, the general reaction was, ‘well he bloody well owed us that one.’

It takes a lot for a ‘whipping boy’ to lose that status. Usually, in my experience, the heat just moves on to someone else for a while. I don’t like it, but I don’t suppose it will ever change.

It’s also why I generally don’t post on the Game Day threads - probably get permanently banned!

 

[manutd/dogs]

View attachment 2632522

Let this be the rebirth of the harder edge we've all been waiting for since 2016.

 

[Freshwater]

I don't want to ever hear anyone say sack Bevo ever again.

Whatever the faults for this team they wanted to run through walls for him and the club in the 2nd half.

A season we thought was dead is very much alive.

I would never say sack Bevo, but I definitely wouldn’t be re-signing him until he finishes his contract (no last year of the contract shenanigans). Then after he has fulfilled his contract ask ourselves, are we getting the most out of this list? Is there any chance of a top 4 finish? Or winning an elimination final if we don’t achieve top 4 ever. Is selection integrity happening? And are important superstars wanting out? Are we capable of stopping run ons of opponents goals and similar with a run of losses? Can he adapt and change his opinions, on say strong ruckman who may not all be ruck-rovers like English? Can he keep himself away from the recruiting team? Is it worth trying another coach while Bontempelli is still the best player in the league? Are we happy to finish every season between 10th and 6th? Remember the Port Adelaide players absolutely loved Kenny, the Carlton players loved Voss too.

 

[Dogs_R_Us]

I would never say sack Bevo, but I definitely wouldn’t be re-signing him until he finishes his contract (no last year of the contract shenanigans). Then after he has fulfilled his contract ask ourselves, are we getting the most out of this list? Is there any chance of a top 4 finish? Or winning an elimination final if we don’t achieve top 4 ever. Is selection integrity happening? And are important superstars wanting out? Are we capable of stopping run ons of opponents goals and similar with a run of losses? Can he adapt and change his opinions, on say strong ruckman who may not all be ruck-rovers like English? Can he keep himself away from the recruiting team? Is it worth trying another coach while Bontempelli is still the best player in the league? Are we happy to finish every season between 10th and 6th? Remember the Port Adelaide players absolutely loved Kenny, the Carlton players loved Voss too.

Would another coach change all that? We could end up with a Lyon, Voss, BScott. What criteria would the admin be looking for that would be an upgrade on Beveridge? How would we feel if Bevo went to another club (St Kilda his spiritual home would snap him up in a heartbeat) and took them to a drought-breaking flag?

 

[Freshwater]

Would another coach change all that? We could end up with a Lyon, Voss, BScott. What criteria would the admin be looking for that would be an upgrade on Beveridge? How would we feel if Bevo went to another club (St Kilda his spiritual home would snap him up in a heartbeat) and took them to a drought-breaking flag?

Definitely could be a possibility? But the idea we just keep Bevo, year in year out, finishing 10th to 6th, with the most talented list ever assembled at the Whitten Oval. With the greatest player to ever represent the club and a potential ‘best in league’ player coming on, is also not the attributes of a great club. That’s how mediocrity works. Either keep Bevo on a tight leash and keep him operating just in his lane, willing to change and improve or let him finish his contract and move on.
Buckley’s hungry, there are assistant coaches who would be ready. There’s a lot of coaches that would want to be the head coach with Bont and this squad, not to mention the new facilities and general stability of the club. The wise heads like Luke Darcy, Chris Grant, Matthew Croft etc from the past looking out for the club.