- Apr 4, 2018
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- Carlton
Written like a novelSo. I'm going to have my first biggie footie meltdown. Some of the defeatism I've read today has put me off my dinner, which I'll refuse to eat tonight. (Unless its pizza from Red Sparrow on Smith Street)
The 'training wheels' comment came from Chris Judd - a champion footballer who happened to go AWOL on the club. His comment has since become a cliche that even my parrot (Captain Jack) has tired of.
As others have said here, although there is a risk with new coaches, some become remarkably successful. (Clarkson, Hardwick ...)
A younger coach, with a good team of assistants, could really spark the players. Yes, it will take a head coach with real presence - I'm not saying he should be the coach - but I think Kingsley has real steel - for instance.
I liked David Teague, and so did SOME players. But maybe too much or too easily. After the apparent fallout between Cripps and Teague, Cripps did a doorstop at Princes Park, smiled and said, 'na, na, mate. All good, mate. Teague is a great bloke'. Senior coaches are not employed to be 'great blokes'.
I don't think Teague was given great support, and its been tough during the COVID crisis (but tough for all clubs). There were real holes in his coaching that became increasingly apparent. Watching his downbeat pressers, there was a lot more going on than him feeling the club didn't want him (which would have been terrible).He had no answers to turning the on-field stuff around.
So, he had to go, whoever the new coach is (except Stewart Dew). Sayers, if he really wanted (and wants) an 'experienced coach', it seems more likely that this will not be delivered. (But, like others here, I have no real knowledge on this - its just my hunch).
But I don't think any of us want an experienced coach for the sake of it? I would rather a younger coach with energy and passion than someone sitting on their ego (Mick Malthouse?)
I'm not suggesting at all that Clarkson, or Scott, or Lyon would be that sort of coach - but if they don't want us, or we don't want them (obviously someone didn't want Lyon) it is not the end of the football world.
I think we have a good list, with some young players who are yet to have a real go in the seniors - Honey, Ramsay, Philp, Kemp, Durdin etc. (maybe there is no etc.). Stocker is a bull who will only get better. I know that Williams in particular, and Saad to a lesser extent, didn't deliver on expectations. But in a side playing well, both will be better. (I'd back Saad). We will either get Cerra or a top ten pick. And George Hewett, while not being an a-grader, will be good for us.
You know how it's said that so much of the game is played above the shoulders? That's what we need most. Self-belief. And a head, I suppose.