Strategy Brisbane Lions Coaching and Staff Thread

[Biggies]

We could have a long debate about whether the modern game is necessarily that much more complicated and the coaching more complex or whether full-time professionalism and media saturation has just made it appear that way. Certainly David King and Dermie have built their media careers around convincing us that the game is a precise science and mere mortals cannot possibly understand all its intricacies without their expert tuition. And yet time and again the Lions have failed at the very basics, which haven't changed that much if at all over the years. I think you will find that Fagan's initial approach will be to get back to basics, master those, and then move on to the more complex, if necessary.

Definitely agree that Fagan will get us back to basics as he should, we're obviously failing at the fundamentals. And that there is nothing that Dermie and King could comprehend that the general public would struggle with, and also agree that it would be a long debate on whether coaching complexity has increased over time, so I'm not really planning to get into it now. But personally, as an aside, I'm of the view that with the introduction of new computer technologies (Chamption Data analysis), sport technology (GPS tech ect), more full time roles, more complex rules blah blah etc that coaching has evolved significantly since the 70's and become far more in depth.

But all that aside, my point was simply that I have no problem whatsoever with coaches coaching different areas of the ground from where they may have played their footy in.

 

[xplo]

It's tempting to buy a new house and come straight in with the renovations but sometimes you have to just live in a house for while to figure out what works and what needs updating.

I think Fagan is taking a similar approach to the job.

 

[Football Pope]

This wont be popular but here goes.

Whilst we are all feeling positive, overall, this is an underwhelming coaching panel.

We have been / are / will be.. in desperate need off a deep, experienced, dynamic coaching assembly and this (on paper) again, is not it.

That does not mean I am angry or it wont work, I am excited about 2017, some Guys have done some good things at lower levels, but its hard to really convince myself otherwise as much as I want to.

I think it is simply due to having no money, so its ok, but that 'fresh start, real deal' coaching assembly hasn't really been possible for us again this offseason, I have been waiting for this box to be ticked for 6 years and again we go into a season with a half cooked cake.

But... we have good leaders and enough to start turning it around, heres to hoping we unearth a couple of speculative gems in the way of coaches along the way.

Yep, agree with parts of what you're saying.. It is an unknown qty on whether Fagan can actually coach at this level..he is, after all, an untried coach and our 3rd straight untried.
Communication is a strong point and he has been able to develop coaches. If he can further develop our assistant coaches so they are all on the same page I'm positive things will turn around quickly.

 

[Nuggo]

But it is amazing how just one person can change the dynamics of an organisation.

 

[notliondown]

Maybe the message is more important than the messenger. And beyond that perhaps the most important thing is how the messenger relays the message. I didn't buy into the notion that everything was Leppas fault nor will I buy into the notion that Fagan is the great white hope.

But if the whole coaching team is unified, responsive to the message and under no illusion that Fagans plan is strong, believable and coachable I think the mix we have will be ok. There's a decent blend of experience and youth who will be eager to soak up anything they can - Littlejohn wants to be a career coach... this opportunity will be a gold mine for him. And while he wasn't my favourite player I think Adcocks morals and professionalism will see him in exactly the same mould.

As for Daley & Francis, neither struck me as stupid or inept. Maybe neither are Clarksons but they don't need to be... that's Fagans job. They simply need to relay and interpret his message in a way that the players respond too. Workman like and reliable are as important in a coaching team as they are in a footy team.

Henriksen and Tapping are the unknowns to me... but I actually don't mind that. Both are successful enough and the opportunity that faces them should mean they work their butts off.

A group of "unknown" coaches and a group of "unknown" players have nothing to lose. We're effectively a blank canvas more so than we've been since forming the Lions. There's a certain comfort in that somehow... and understanding that Fagan, Noble and Swann are all experienced heads given an opportunity to start again won't be lost on any of them.

 

[POBT]

We've now got a footy manager from Adelaide, a coach from Hawthorn and a fitness guy from Sydney. IMO, they are the best run footy depts in the game. It isn't a bad start as far as stealing IP goes.

 

[acuguy]

Great selections. We are in full development mode, so we went and got the best development coaches we can get! Great idea!

 

[lioninthesand]

We've now got a footy manager from Adelaide, a coach from Hawthorn and a fitness guy from Sydney. IMO, they are the best run footy depts in the game. It isn't a bad start as far as stealing IP goes.

Now all we need is obama as president and we are stacked.

 

[Viceregal]

We've now got a footy manager from Adelaide, a coach from Hawthorn and a fitness guy from Sydney. IMO, they are the best run footy depts in the game. It isn't a bad start as far as stealing IP goes.

Now all we need is obama as president and we are stacked.

You don't need Obama as president in terms of IP - just get the guy who puts the stuff in the teleprompter!

 

[WhiteLionFeva]

It's tempting to buy a new house and come straight in with the renovations but sometimes you have to just live in a house for while to figure out what works and what needs updating.

I think Fagan is taking a similar approach to the job.

Our first house had no hot water. I can relate to what Fagan will be experiencing about now.

 

[Gadzorks]

Maybe the message is more important than the messenger. And beyond that perhaps the most important thing is how the messenger relays the message. I didn't buy into the notion that everything was Leppas fault nor will I buy into the notion that Fagan is the great white hope.

But if the whole coaching team is unified, responsive to the message and under no illusion that Fagans plan is strong, believable and coachable I think the mix we have will be ok. There's a decent blend of experience and youth who will be eager to soak up anything they can - Littlejohn wants to be a career coach... this opportunity will be a gold mine for him. And while he wasn't my favourite player I think Adcocks morals and professionalism will see him in exactly the same mould.

As for Daley & Francis, neither struck me as stupid or inept. Maybe neither are Clarksons but they don't need to be... that's Fagans job. They simply need to relay and interpret his message in a way that the players respond too. Workman like and reliable are as important in a coaching team as they are in a footy team.

Henriksen and Tapping are the unknowns to me... but I actually don't mind that. Both are successful enough and the opportunity that faces them should mean they work their butts off.

A group of "unknown" coaches and a group of "unknown" players have nothing to lose. We're effectively a blank canvas more so than we've been since forming the Lions. There's a certain comfort in that somehow... and understanding that Fagan, Noble and Swann are all experienced heads given an opportunity to start again won't be lost on any of them.

The only question that I have for the moment is - what was the relationship between Adcock, the man who was captain, and rocky, the man who replaced him?

For me adcock seemed a bit pissed during his last year. if he was and still is it could cause a few problems across the entire team. At this point in time Rocky is the contracted player, and adcock the new addition. would have been happier if adcock had come on board in 12 months when rocky was either redeemed in the clubs eyes or on his way out.

 

[notliondown]

The only question that I have for the moment is - what was the relationship between Adcock, the man who was captain, and rocky, the man who replaced him?

For me adcock seemed a bit pissed during his last year. if he was and still is it could cause a few problems across the entire team. At this point in time Rocky is the contracted player, and adcock the new addition. would have been happier if adcock had come on board in 12 months when rocky was either redeemed in the clubs eyes or on his way out.

Rocky will just have to suck it up its that simple. His star had fallen and he has little choice but to be the consummate professional and redeem himself. Anything less and it's pretty clear his time here is short.

 

[Gadzorks]

Rocky will just have to suck it up its that simple. His star had fallen and he has little choice but to be the consummate professional and redeem himself. Anything less and it's pretty clear his time here is short.

Not worried about rocky - he can well handle anything coming his way. just don't want to see the team split on loyalties left over from issues that belong in the past and damage to the rebuild.

 

[James North]

Not worried about rocky - he can well handle anything coming his way. just don't want to see the team split on loyalties left over from issues that belong in the past and damage to the rebuild.

Adcock 'seemed a bit pissed' and Rocky has 12 months of well documented rumours about his off-field issues and you're worried about Adcock's influence as assistant midfield coach?

 

[Football Pope]

Adcock 'seemed a bit pissed' and Rocky has 12 months of well documented rumours about his off-field issues and you're worried about Adcock's influence as assistant midfield coach?

And where would social networks like Big Footy be without important rumour propagation?

According to the following article, Adcock's last 12 months at the Lions was in a mentoring role for the leadership group...

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-01-29/rockliff-named-lions-captain-for-2015-season/6054698

 

[James North]

And where would social networks like Big Footy be without important rumour propagation?

Exactly where it is - hearing about players signing early, hearing about coaching appointments early - much like the media proper. Whether the rumour/story/fact whatever you want to call it reads nicely to individual readers is a matter for them and that's why we see so many differing reactions.

 

[Football Pope]

Exactly where it is - hearing about players signing early, hearing about coaching appointments early - much like the media proper. Whether the rumour/story/fact whatever you want to call it reads nicely to individual readers is a matter for them and that's why we see so many differing reactions.

Absolutely..it forms social ties...doesn't matter whether the rumours are factual, false, or questionable they will propagate through whatever medium is available.

 

[Dylan12]

Not worried about rocky - he can well handle anything coming his way. just don't want to see the team split on loyalties left over from issues that belong in the past and damage to the rebuild.

I reckon it is a given loyalties will be split as a result of Rockliff remaining at the club and is the primary reason I wanted him moved on at any cost so that the club could truly commence a new chapter.

 

[Groo2]

Adcock 'seemed a bit pissed' and Rocky has 12 months of well documented rumours about his off-field issues and you're worried about Adcock's influence as assistant midfield coach?

The problem is the rumours were/are anything but well documented.

 

[James North]

The problem is the rumours were/are anything but well documented.

They are non-specific, no doubt, but there were hundreds of news articles (which seems to be the standard of reference) this year.

 

[Football Pope]

They are non-specific, no doubt, but there were hundreds of news articles (which seems to be the standard of reference) this year.

Yep, a lot of those articles lacked substance and were suggestions rather than explicitly mentioning facts..sign of the times.

 

[James North]

Yep, a lot of those articles lacked substance and were suggestions rather than explicitly mentioning facts..sign of the times.

So either they are all lying, or the facts can't/won't be published.

If your only source of information is news articles, I can understand why you may not be convinced of any rumours coming from the media. This is likely particularly if you aren't in Brisbane.

 

[Football Pope]

So either they are all lying, or the facts can't/won't be published.

If your only source of information is news articles, I can understand why you may not be convinced of any rumours coming from the media. This is likely particularly if you aren't in Brisbane.

Wouldn't matter where I resided. Most articles written aren't objective or impartial journalism, so I don't give them much credence. They are usually written based on popular/topical social media..rumours/gossip of the time and usually line up with the ideological or commercial filter of said media owner they are employed by.

 

[James North]

Wouldn't matter where I resided. Most articles written aren't objective or impartial journalism, so I don't give them much credence. They are usually written based on popular/topical social media..rumours/gossip of the time and usually line up with the ideological or commercial filter of said media owner they are employed by.

Right, so if one had heard some of the rumours independently of the media (like, from around town), one's conclusion/opinion may be very different.

 

[Haso]

Hypothetically.