- Sep 22, 2000
- 62,351
- 41,703
- AFL Club
- Geelong
- Other Teams
- Ford
The Brad McNamara of Essendon
-
AFLW 2024 - Round 9 - Indigenous Round - Chat, game threads, injury lists, team lineups and more.
New Geelong VFL coach: Matthew Knights
- Thread starter Wernumberone
- Start date
- Tagged users None
The Brad McNamara of Essendon
ManWithNoName
TheBrownDog
Why are we talking about James Hird in a discussion about Matthew Knights and his coaching ability?
A11dAtP0w3R
Dumpster Fire Diver
- Oct 18, 2013
- 95,077
- 139,602
- AFL Club
- Melbourne
- Other Teams
- Carolina Panthers
I think its fair to say if Essendon had kept Knights they would be top 4 side right now and challenging for a flag.
- Apr 15, 2008
- 7,995
- 10,098
- AFL Club
- Hawthorn
- Other Teams
- Roger Federer
Brad Hodge made a Test double century and averaged 55. Without getting into the argument of whether he was harshly treated, that is a terrible example of someone who looked good at lower levels but couldn't perform at the top level.
As for Knights, he was poor. Hird, leaving aside the stuff that shall not be mentioned in this forum, is also poor. He just doesn't seem to have much of an idea on match day how to counter moves made by opposition coaches. When Clarkson tweaked things after half time on the weekend Hird just didn't have an answer. It seems to happen a lot. It seems to happen a fair bit - Essendon compete okay for the first part of the match. The opposition coach responds by making tactical changes. Essendon start to lose and Hird has no idea what to do. The players seem to very quickly start to look listless and lost.
I also just don't think the list is good enough. But then a lot of people thought that about Port Adelaide a few years back, then Hinkley takes over and suddenly a list that has not materially changed starts to look fantastic.
So you look at why Knights had to go, and I agree that he did, and you wonder how they can't come to the same conclusion with Hird. Maybe they already have but there are other factors at play.
As for Knights, he was poor. Hird, leaving aside the stuff that shall not be mentioned in this forum, is also poor. He just doesn't seem to have much of an idea on match day how to counter moves made by opposition coaches. When Clarkson tweaked things after half time on the weekend Hird just didn't have an answer. It seems to happen a lot. It seems to happen a fair bit - Essendon compete okay for the first part of the match. The opposition coach responds by making tactical changes. Essendon start to lose and Hird has no idea what to do. The players seem to very quickly start to look listless and lost.
I also just don't think the list is good enough. But then a lot of people thought that about Port Adelaide a few years back, then Hinkley takes over and suddenly a list that has not materially changed starts to look fantastic.
So you look at why Knights had to go, and I agree that he did, and you wonder how they can't come to the same conclusion with Hird. Maybe they already have but there are other factors at play.
Most frustrating thing about him as coach.
Got totally out coached after half time and did nothing to try and change momentum our way not having Bomber next to him has exposed his lack of tactical nous.
I agree, ordinary, getting a career purely because of his name, never questioned, under performs, the board does not have the guts to sack him just like Hird.
eth-dog
Tier 1 WW Player
- Mar 28, 2010
- 5,407
- 6,128
- AFL Club
- Essendon
- Other Teams
- Miami Heat
To coach a side to top four, you need to know what you're doing come match day. So, no.
Just as e.g. St.Kilda will be bottom four this year with a significantly older team, but there is no hysteria about their position under Richardson.
Knights was a victim of perception - a perception created by those who wanted him gone to make way for Sir James.
Sir James implied supporters should've expected to finish top four under Knights. He's not that stupid, just a liar.
Zerg
Cancelled
- Apr 7, 2012
- 996
- 1,359
- AFL Club
- Essendon
Knights was sacked because he refused to implement a defensive game plan. His demise was bought about prematurely by Hird however.
Knights was sacked because he refused to implement a defensive game plan. His demise was bought about prematurely by Hird however.
I see. So who ordered a change to the gameplan?
Essendon has recorded its lowest points total after 12 games since the mud-spattered 1950's. In fact they managed higher totals during the place-kicking 1920's. Who's ordering Hird to fix the forward line?
From what I know the board asked Knights to do something about getting heavily scored against Knights told them to F off
I'd find that hard to believe, except "the board" apparently expected a top four finish...
The 28th-youngest team since 2000 let through the 30th-most points. Shocking.
That too.
There was games during the season where teams will get 6-8 goal runs.never forget the amount times I was sitting in the EFC cheer squad watching opposition goals sail over my head time and time again with the team doing nothing to stop it was very frustrating for us fans to watch.
I guess it's a proud club. Too proud, maybe. Might've been why Hird felt compelled to go down the path he did...
Knights readily acknowledged his defensive failures. He was hoping to focus on it in the off-season but he didn't get that far.
I guess it's similar to Hird's game plan, only that the goals are not being scored.
Both know/knew where they need to improve. One didn't get the chance and the other might not as well.
I guess it's similar to Hird's game plan, only that the goals are not being scored.
Both know/knew where they need to improve. One didn't get the chance and the other might not as well.
Seems that way.
Who ever is the next coach needs to have both attacking and defensive aspects to their game plan also needs to be tacitly sound.
It seems Hird has just awoken to something.
"We had eight guys with under 50 games play in the team. That’s a high percentage. History will tell you if you play seven players or more with under 50 games the chances of winning are very low. You’re almost giving yourself no chance of winning with that amount of players under 50 games."
Bombers in 2010 under Knights:
R1 v Ge - 11 players < 50 games
R2 v Fr - 10
R3 v Ca - 11
R4 v WC - 12
R5 v Co - 10
R6 v Ha - 10
R7 v PA - 12
R8 v St - 14
R9 v Ri - 14
R10 v WB - 13
R11 v Sy - 14
R12 v Ge - 12
R13 v Ha - 13
R14 v Ad - 14
R15 v Me - 12
R16 v WC - 13
R17 v NM - 14
R18 v St - 14
R19 v Ca - 11
R20 v Co - 13
R21 v Br - 15
R22 v WB - 14
Knights was supposed to achieve a top four finish with those teams, but now it excuses Hird for going 4-8?
Come off it James. You disingenuous campaigner.
"We had eight guys with under 50 games play in the team. That’s a high percentage. History will tell you if you play seven players or more with under 50 games the chances of winning are very low. You’re almost giving yourself no chance of winning with that amount of players under 50 games."
Bombers in 2010 under Knights:
R1 v Ge - 11 players < 50 games
R2 v Fr - 10
R3 v Ca - 11
R4 v WC - 12
R5 v Co - 10
R6 v Ha - 10
R7 v PA - 12
R8 v St - 14
R9 v Ri - 14
R10 v WB - 13
R11 v Sy - 14
R12 v Ge - 12
R13 v Ha - 13
R14 v Ad - 14
R15 v Me - 12
R16 v WC - 13
R17 v NM - 14
R18 v St - 14
R19 v Ca - 11
R20 v Co - 13
R21 v Br - 15
R22 v WB - 14
Knights was supposed to achieve a top four finish with those teams, but now it excuses Hird for going 4-8?
Come off it James. You disingenuous campaigner.
ManWithNoName
TheBrownDog
I notice your club hasn't hired super-coach Matty Knights. He's been out of a senior gig for what, 5 years now? Perhaps you should write to Benny Gale. He mightn't realise Jock McHale mk2 is available.
- May 28, 2008
- 16,902
- 4,882
You're wrong. At least a couple of flags in the bank by now.
ManWithNoName
TheBrownDog
That's like saying if Melbourne had just held faith with Mark Neeld it would've all come good eventually.
- Sep 22, 2011
- 41,942
- 91,611
- AFL Club
- Essendon
A better example would be Mark Neeld or Scott Watters. Not Richardson.
If Hird didn't want the job it would have gone to someone else. Knights was a shocking coach.
A11dAtP0w3R
Dumpster Fire Diver
- Oct 18, 2013
- 95,077
- 139,602
- AFL Club
- Melbourne
- Other Teams
- Carolina Panthers
That coaching master-mind is now instructing your mob.
Having a bad year this year? Go figure.
ManWithNoName
TheBrownDog
So you agree that if Melbourne had held onto him you wouldn't be top 4 and challenging for a flag?That coaching master-mind is now over with your mob.
Having a bad year this year? Go figure.
My point exactly.
Similar threads
