Opinion Matthew Nicks: Adelaide's Coach (Part 3) - The Biggest Loser

[BunjiMac]

Dunkley yesterday saying he'd do anything for that team, play anywhere, any role.

Berry saying they let the young players do their thing, be themselves, play with freedom and flair. We have their backs and will support them no matter what.

Meanwhile....

Genuine authentic culture that works and proven in terms of results.

I think we've heard similar come out of Hawthorn of late.

 

[Scorpus]

Dunkley yesterday saying he'd do anything for that team, play anywhere, any role.

Berry saying they let the young players do their thing, be themselves, play with freedom and flair. We have their backs and will support them no matter what.

Meanwhile....

 

[FR0GGY]

Seems like every club is having a crack at us these days

 

[Shifty Crow]

It’s great to pedal this out when you have won a flag

Let’s not forget there was so many rumours flying around about Brisbane early in the season, including player division, a player punch-up, issues that happened in the pre-season.

No doubt we have issues at our club, player talent, player development and coaching however culture is not one of them.

Our culture has turned around under Nicks, our retention rate of young interstate lads has never been better, despite people keep being up the Rash issue, he absolutely loves the club and coach.

Quality of our football dept remains our biggest issue, what hasn’t been mentioned is Stewy Dew influence since arriving at Brisbane - no coincidence that things turned around since his arrival.


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[The Karma Bus]

It’s great to pedal this out when you have won a flag

Let’s not forget there was so many rumours flying around about Brisbane early in the season, including player division, a player punch-up, issues that happened in the pre-season.

No doubt we have issues at our club, player talent, player development and coaching however culture is not one of them.

Our culture has turned around under Nicks, our retention rate of young interstate lads has never been better, despite people keep being up the Rash issue, he absolutely loves the club and coach.

Quality of our football dept remains our biggest issue, what hasn’t been mentioned is Stewy Dew influence since arriving at Brisbane - no coincidence that things turned around since his arrival.


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app

The proof is in the pudding, they won the flag. You're not doing that if your culture is shit.

They had a one off event that reportedly happened in the off season that caused a few supposed trust etc issues..
Their culture is obviously so good, they sorted it out, worked things and got to this point.

They didn't have a nuclear meltdown like we tend to do when things go a bit pear shaped.

In terms of the "rumours".. when it's to do with the AFC, the media or random people are full of shit. But Brisbane, it was all true?

 

[GreyCrow]

It’s great to pedal this out when you have won a flag

Let’s not forget there was so many rumours flying around about Brisbane early in the season, including player division, a player punch-up, issues that happened in the pre-season.

Doesnt that mean their culture is indeed strong? That they can have all that and STILL get their season on track and win a flag?

Bad cultures explode good cultures win at all odds

No doubt we have issues at our club, player talent, player development and coaching however culture is not one of them.

Our culture has turned around under Nicks, our retention rate of young interstate lads has never been better, despite people keep being up the Rash issue, he absolutely loves the club and coach.

Quality of our football dept remains our biggest issue, what hasn’t been mentioned is Stewy Dew influence since arriving at Brisbane - no coincidence that things turned around since his arrival.

Stewart Dew didnt get into finals let alone a GF and suddenly he is the messiah?

Come on stop shifting blame or kudos . Our culture is shit

 

[FullyBigKPro]

The proof is in the pudding, they won the flag. You're not doing that if your culture is shit.

They had a one off event that reportedly happened in the off season that caused a few supposed trust etc issues..
Their culture is obviously so good, they sorted it out, worked things and got to this point.

They didn't have a nuclear meltdown like we tend to do when things go a bit pear shaped.

In terms of the "rumours".. when it's to do with the AFC, the media or random people are full of shit. But Brisbane, it was all true?

The problem with us now is that ever since the 'camp' - we have been completely scared to do anything remotely controversial or daring.

The reason the Rachelle circus was a disaster was that Nicks apparently has spent last 5 years trying to be buddies with the players and be Mr Good Guy and rebuild 'culture' etc etc... Yet that crap happens.

There's more culture in a tub of yoghurt than at the AFC.

We are vanilla, corporate and soul-less at the moment.

 

[GreyCrow]

Can someone define what culture means to them in the context of a sporting organisation and a football club ( if there is a difference) and then explain how it applies to the AFC

 

[The Karma Bus]

The problem with us now is that ever since the 'camp' - we have been completely scared to do anything remotely controversial or daring.

The reason the Rachelle circus was a disaster was that Nicks apparently has spent last 5 years trying to be buddies with the players and be Mr Good Guy and rebuild 'culture' etc etc... Yet that crap happens.

There's more culture in a tub of yoghurt than at the AFC.

We are vanilla, corporate and soul-less at the moment.

I really wish we weren't but you have to be a realist and demand the best.
Especially when it's been so long.

We're a way off contending yet, it's going to be 30 years soon since a Premiership.
I mean, c'mon. We live for how long, and we've had this much of it wiped out with no success.

 

[Samcro24]

They’ve got a sack horse thread on the Sydney board

Port board

 

[pjcrows]

Lohmann asked about his flamboyance and goal celebrations: "I am myself and I can be myself"

 

[1970crow]

It’s great to pedal this out when you have won a flag

Let’s not forget there was so many rumours flying around about Brisbane early in the season, including player division, a player punch-up, issues that happened in the pre-season.

No doubt we have issues at our club, player talent, player development and coaching however culture is not one of them.

Our culture has turned around under Nicks, our retention rate of young interstate lads has never been better, despite people keep being up the Rash issue, he absolutely loves the club and coach.

Quality of our football dept remains our biggest issue, what hasn’t been mentioned is Stewy Dew influence since arriving at Brisbane - no coincidence that things turned around since his arrival.


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app

Our culture remains a massive problem, it's not high performance geared.

 

[Jarman3]

They’ve got a sack horse thread on the Sydney board

I'd take him in a heartbeat. Get him in as coach or coaching director or footy ops manager or just make up some role to put him into.

The man has coached his team to 5 grand finals in the last 13 years. Yeah he's "only" won 1 flag but that's 1 more than we've managed in the last 26 years. And at least when his sides lose GF's he gets them up off the canvas for another crack right away.

 

[WaynesWorld19]

Our culture at the moment includes the public flogging of a young player by senior "leaders". It includes senior players demanding selection and extending their careers when they are clearly cooked. Senior players being allowed to pick and choose training attendance.

In short, our culture is that senior players are untouchable and unaccountable.

You can't cherry pick elements of the culture of an organisation .....I totally agree, the public hanging of Rachele was very poor, I do however support the dressing down, but in private

It seems to me, the players expressing certain rights, are the older ones from the pre-2018 period .....and it's my opinion, following the camp, why we had to dismantle the list ......Jenkins, thinking he was bigger than the Club ...even Betts using the Club for his own personal agenda .....Keath, and Greenwood seeking personal financial security. ect

This year, Laird's sulking and choosing when to go ......these are poor leadership skills, when you are trying to indoctrinate players like Rachele into good habits
You can't let one go, and punish another

They made some good appointments to counter this me, me, me, and the term "prioritising others" reflects the Club's awareness of the issues

We have a ways to go on Club Culture ....but its miles better than in 2018
There'll still be mistakes made ...but it's how you deal with the mistakes

 

[WaynesWorld19]

They’ve got a sack horse thread on the Sydney board

And therein lies the fickleness of supporters .....one game, if he wins, he's a God .....loses, and supporters want him sacked

As I've said, opinions change like the wind

 

[Southerntakeover]

"If the results were different you'd hold a different opinion". Yes. That's how evidence based assessments work.

 

[kirky]

And we could have had Fagan in 2016. Now a premiership coach

Things are easier in hindsight.

Pyke wasn’t a wrong call, we did make a GF under his reign. The problem is what happened post GF.

It will be interesting to see what happens with Sydney given two GF bashings in 3 years.

 

[kirky]

So Longmire, a highly regarded longstanding Coach, has 4 losing GF's by whopping margins .....is roundly criticised for choosing McDonald, and subbing him out .....for playing Blakey on a Wing, and losing drive off HB

I would suggest Nicks pales in comparison in terms of mistakes that EVERY Coach makes, or supporters believe their coaches make

Could you imagine this board, if the Longmire scenario were the Crows rather than the Swans

I’d like to make any GF first then we can worry about that other stuff.

I’ve see who makes our R1 side in 2025. It will say a lot of where Nicks is at.

 

[kirky]

It’s great to pedal this out when you have won a flag

Let’s not forget there was so many rumours flying around about Brisbane early in the season, including player division, a player punch-up, issues that happened in the pre-season.

No doubt we have issues at our club, player talent, player development and coaching however culture is not one of them.

Our culture has turned around under Nicks, our retention rate of young interstate lads has never been better, despite people keep being up the Rash issue, he absolutely loves the club and coach.

Quality of our football dept remains our biggest issue, what hasn’t been mentioned is Stewy Dew influence since arriving at Brisbane - no coincidence that things turned around since his arrival.


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app

Dew has been involved as a player in flags in 2004 and 2008 and on coaching panel in 2012 and 2024 (both flags) and 2016 (runner up).

Get him onboard for 2028!

 

[baldandbroke]

The proof is in the pudding...

Hate to be that guy, but find that I can never walk past this one

The proof of the pudding is in the eating. Proof is not something you add to the pudding mixture!!

 

[feenix67]

You can't cherry pick elements of the culture of an organisation .....I totally agree, the public hanging of Rachele was very poor, I do however support the dressing down, but in private

It seems to me, the players expressing certain rights, are the older ones from the pre-2018 period .....and it's my opinion, following the camp, why we had to dismantle the list ......Jenkins, thinking he was bigger than the Club ...even Betts using the Club for his own personal agenda .....Keath, and Greenwood seeking personal financial security. ect

This year, Laird's sulking and choosing when to go ......these are poor leadership skills, when you are trying to indoctrinate players like Rachele into good habits
You can't let one go, and punish another

They made some good appointments to counter this me, me, me, and the term "prioritising others" reflects the Club's awareness of the issues

We have a ways to go on Club Culture ....but its miles better than in 2018
There'll still be mistakes made ...but it's how you deal with the mistakes

That's a very reasonable post Wayne. I have said for a long time that we won't progress until that era of players have left the club.

I do believe there are other areas of the club culture that need to change. For example, there is an undercurrent of arrogance in the way the club interacts with supporters and media. This needs to change, the club needs to exhibit more humility and authenticity.

There also seems to be an aversion to hard conversations and decisions. It's very hard for any sporting organisation to balance a culture of mateship together with professional integrity and excellence. We have a lot of work to do in that area in my opinion.

 

[TBM]

That's a very reasonable post Wayne. I have said for a long time that we won't progress until that era of players have left the club.

I do believe there are other areas of the club culture that need to change. For example, there is an undercurrent of arrogance in the way the club interacts with supporters and media. This needs to change, the club needs to exhibit more humility and authenticity.

There also seems to be an aversion to hard conversations and decisions. It's very hard for any sporting organisation to balance a culture of mateship together with professional integrity and excellence. We have a lot of work to do in that area in my opinion.

Great post.

Re the bolded part, this is where a high-performance-focused footy manager needs to stamp their authority and drive those hard conversations and decisions. Adam Kelly is not that man.

 

[Cap]

That's a very reasonable post Wayne. I have said for a long time that we won't progress until that era of players have left the club.

I do believe there are other areas of the club culture that need to change. For example, there is an undercurrent of arrogance in the way the club interacts with supporters and media. This needs to change, the club needs to exhibit more humility and authenticity.

There also seems to be an aversion to hard conversations and decisions. It's very hard for any sporting organisation to balance a culture of mateship together with professional integrity and excellence. We have a lot of work to do in that area in my opinion.

Is it that hard though?

I feel the Crows are uniquely bad at it and its largely down to weak management.

Badly run clubs seem to have a real issue, successful clubs have ex players visiting the rooms when they win.

 

[Jcpdragonx]

Walker blaming injuries for our form was a prime example of our pathetic culture.

According to Tom Morris' report a few weeks back, the players/club had big meeting, driven by younger players (named Rash, Riley) for everyone to become more professional.

The selfishness of senior players - specically Laird, Walker, Smith and Sloane has been a big part of our downfall.

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

Can someone define what culture means to them in the context of a sporting organisation and a football club ( if there is a difference) and then explain how it applies to the AFC

That's the way we do things around here