Carlton coach Denis Pagan has said he is unconcerned at some recent criticism of his coaching methods coming from his former club and has wished the Kangaroos nothing but the best for the season ahead.
Pagan ended a 30 year association as player, under 19 coach and senior coach with the Kangaroos at the end of 2002 to take over as coach of Carlton after the Blues had slumped to last place for the first time in their history.
But despite leading the Kangaroos to two premierships, three grand finals and nine finals appearances during his ten years as senior coach – there has been some criticism of his methods since Dean Laidley took over as coach this year.
Recently young Kangaroos defender David Teague said the atmosphere was more relaxed since Laidley had taken over as coach from Pagan, adding that young players such as himself were now give more leeway if they made an error.
“You know that you are going to get a chance (even) if you do stuff up,” Teague said of Laidley’s approach compared to Pagan’s following the club’s first round win in the Wzard Cup.
“Dean gave us the confidence to go out and have a go at things. If you do make a mistake you will stay on for a bit longer. With Denis, especially being a young player, you would get your five minutes and you really had to make the most of it.”
Teague added that previously young players had been “worried about the little bloke in yellow (the runner) coming out to drag you (off the ground),” he said.
However Pagan said he looked back on his time with the Kangaroos with great fondness.
“I was there for 30 years. I had a terrific time,” he told afl.com.au on Tuesday.
“The Kangaroos were good for me and hopefully I was good for them. They are going in a new direction now and I wish them all the best.”
Pagan added he was unconcerned when asked to respond to Teague’s comments.
“I have got enough worries here at Carlton to be able to worry about what a few say at the Kangaroos,” he said.
that's exactly what we wanted to hear all along. i hope that we can put it behind us. denis has been good for us and north melbourne have been good for denis. i hope we remember him for the glory days and not the ending ... in much the same way that we will look at our former favourites players who were amazing in their heyday and even though they lost some of their sparkle at the end of their careers we still remember them with fondness.
all the best denis and thanks for the ride. you will be missed.
Pagan ended a 30 year association as player, under 19 coach and senior coach with the Kangaroos at the end of 2002 to take over as coach of Carlton after the Blues had slumped to last place for the first time in their history.
But despite leading the Kangaroos to two premierships, three grand finals and nine finals appearances during his ten years as senior coach – there has been some criticism of his methods since Dean Laidley took over as coach this year.
Recently young Kangaroos defender David Teague said the atmosphere was more relaxed since Laidley had taken over as coach from Pagan, adding that young players such as himself were now give more leeway if they made an error.
“You know that you are going to get a chance (even) if you do stuff up,” Teague said of Laidley’s approach compared to Pagan’s following the club’s first round win in the Wzard Cup.
“Dean gave us the confidence to go out and have a go at things. If you do make a mistake you will stay on for a bit longer. With Denis, especially being a young player, you would get your five minutes and you really had to make the most of it.”
Teague added that previously young players had been “worried about the little bloke in yellow (the runner) coming out to drag you (off the ground),” he said.
However Pagan said he looked back on his time with the Kangaroos with great fondness.
“I was there for 30 years. I had a terrific time,” he told afl.com.au on Tuesday.
“The Kangaroos were good for me and hopefully I was good for them. They are going in a new direction now and I wish them all the best.”
Pagan added he was unconcerned when asked to respond to Teague’s comments.
“I have got enough worries here at Carlton to be able to worry about what a few say at the Kangaroos,” he said.
that's exactly what we wanted to hear all along. i hope that we can put it behind us. denis has been good for us and north melbourne have been good for denis. i hope we remember him for the glory days and not the ending ... in much the same way that we will look at our former favourites players who were amazing in their heyday and even though they lost some of their sparkle at the end of their careers we still remember them with fondness.
all the best denis and thanks for the ride. you will be missed.
