Coaching Staff Past Coach: Matthew Knights - Finally gets his second shot - 5/5

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amster said:
Hi SOT4 - we can afford the cash and have plenty of room in our salary cap and have WA players and have access to extra corporate support. Any ideas why he said a flat "no" to us? I thought your opinion would be interesting to hear on this one.

I hope I'm not coming across too negatively mate - I care a LOT about the Dons...but I don't want us to become a self deluded, premiership starved club, just trying to keep face. I want us to be the best we can be. So when appointments like Knights happen, when we miss out on Judd for no apparent reason, I think we owe it to ourselves to ask these questions.

I have heard from the corporate world about Jackson and his ego so I put it out there.

Any thoughts?
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I know Jackson, I don't love the guy but he isn't the villain you make him out to be.

My thoughts on Judd- we were never really a massive chance to get him. I obviously can't say exactly why he didn't choose us. It could have been because we play a lot at the Dome, it could have been because he doesn't rate our list, it could have been because we didn't have a coach and may have to rebuild a bit after the loss of Sheeds and Hird. I don't know. What I do know is that Pratt would have gone all out to get Judd. The way a businessman's mind would work, and Pratt is a true businessman, is that he would see the chance for a quick fix for the club and he would pursue it all costs. I would say that Carlton have offered Judd ridiculous amounts of money- 1.2mil+- and that is something I don't think we would ever do as a club. IMO, and it is only my opinoin, Judd never seriously entertained us. It was always Collingwood for success or the Blues for money.

Apologies for my response to your earlier post, it just seemed ludicrous to the point that I assumed someone had made a new account to pump up SE. I take offence from your post because it is a personal attack on Jackson on the basis of rumours from the corporate world. I personally think Knights was the best candidate behind Bomber Thompson. People assuming the board did this to control the club are insane. How long will the baord last if in three years we haven't improved. The board will forever be remembered as those who sacked Sheedy, their interest is in Essendon being successful, and as such they would have absolutely no motivation to appoint an inferior coach. Appointing Dimma was the easy option, but the board chose who they thought was the best candidate. Knights was also recommended by the Strike management group ahead of Hardwick, so they obviously thought he was the best candidate as well. Your point that Knights was appointed so the board can rule is insane, as Knights owes the board nothing more than Dimma.
 
SOT4 said:
I know Jackson, I don't love the guy but he isn't the villain you make him out to be.

My thoughts on Judd- we were never really a massive chance to get him. I obviously can't say exactly why he didn't choose us. It could have been because we play a lot at the Dome, it could have been because he doesn't rate our list, it could have been because we didn't have a coach and may have to rebuild a bit after the loss of Sheeds and Hird. I don't know. What I do know is that Pratt would have gone all out to get Judd. The way a businessman's mind would work, and Pratt is a true businessman, is that he would see the chance for a quick fix for the club and he would pursue it all costs. I would say that Carlton have offered Judd ridiculous amounts of money- 1.2mil+- and that is something I don't think we would ever do as a club. IMO, and it is only my opinoin, Judd never seriously entertained us. It was always Collingwood for success or the Blues for money.

Apologies for my response to your earlier post, it just seemed ludicrous to the point that I assumed someone had made a new account to pump up SE. I take offence from your post because it is a personal attack on Jackson on the basis of rumours from the corporate world. I personally think Knights was the best candidate behind Bomber Thompson. People assuming the board did this to control the club are insane. How long will the baord last if in three years we haven't improved. The board will forever be remembered as those who sacked Sheedy, their interest is in Essendon being successful, and as such they would have absolutely no motivation to appoint an inferior coach. Appointing Dimma was the easy option, but the board chose who they thought was the best candidate. Knights was also recommended by the Strike management group ahead of Hardwick, so they obviously thought he was the best candidate as well. Your point that Knights was appointed so the board can rule is insane, as Knights owes the board nothing more than Dimma.
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Not disputing it, but could you provide evidence where the Strike Management Group recommended Knights over Dimma? I realise one of the coaching scouts was Andrew McKay, what are his credentials with regards to coaching or finding a coach? Is it just that he is a past player?

Did any former Essendon players sit on the board to choose Knights?

Is it that most of the Essendon players are happy that Knights was chosen because perhaps their careers are saved??? Had Dimma got the position I would suggest at least 10 of them would've been without a job... that's enough for any of the players to choose Knights!!! Self preservation!!!

Don't get me wrong, I've warmed to Knights' appointment but on the same token I'm skeptical about how it came about!
 
I think its fair to say guys the Knights decision didnt have an effect when you consider the record of the coach of the club Judd has chosen. How many straight losses was it?:eek:
 

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bomberstomake8 said:
Personally i dont really care, im disgusted at knights being the coach.. He never really did much at bendigo, the final we lost in this year was the last straw for me, how can a team come from like 60 points up at half time and lose by 40 points??? That is shocking coaching. i mean its a final its win at all costs.... there were many options which could have been taken to slow the opposition down and try to maintain alead but none were taken....
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Shows your complete lack of understanding of
A) Bendigos list
B) The players available to play that finals game
C) The actuall things that happend during the game
D) Fotball in general

Knights had no bench , two players on the ground playing injured and another 4 on the ground who are not in VFL class. There wasnt a lot he could do. If North Ballarat actually kicked stariaght in the first half they would have been only a couple of goals down at half time. The half time score was not a true reflection of how the match had gone.
 
What I heard is that Jackson did not agree with Dimma on direction in the interview process and only Knightsy's last "we can do it" PowerPoint presentation got him the quick fix appointment. So my point isnt insane it is just questioning mgmnt. It is not insane either that the board would want to try to take more control after losing Sheedy, Hird and no September again - I'm not questioning their intention for the club, just not convinced they are doing this in a healthy way.

I am not a fan of SE. Tonight is a waste of time and money. And like you, I don't know how things will go but I bloody hope they go well. I started watching in the short years of Billy Stephens and remember what it is like to be embedded at the bottom. I never want the club to go there again.

And again, the fact that we are where we are, begs these questions be asked.

I will be out there each week next year supporting Knightsy and the team who are ALL just trying to do their best - but i am still to be convinced the board is too. Time will tell.....

Cheers and Go Bombers!
 
amster said:
What I heard is that Jackson did not agree with Dimma on direction in the interview process and only Knightsy's last "we can do it" PowerPoint presentation got him the quick fix appointment. So my point isnt insane it is just questioning mgmnt. It is not insane either that the board would want to try to take more control after losing Sheedy, Hird and no September again - I'm not questioning their intention for the club, just not convinced they are doing this in a healthy way.

I am not a fan of SE. Tonight is a waste of time and money. And like you, I don't know how things will go but I bloody hope they go well. I started watching in the short years of Billy Stephens and remember what it is like to be embedded at the bottom. I never want the club to go there again.

And again, the fact that we are where we are, begs these questions be asked.

I will be out there each week next year supporting Knightsy and the team who are ALL just trying to do their best - but i am still to be convinced the board is too. Time will tell.....

Cheers and Go Bombers!
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How about that when Dimma was asked about how to treat Aboriginal players, he replied "the same as everyone else".
That didn't help his cause at all.

I have also heard that in the media simulation, he stuffed it up, where as Knighter nailed it.

My point is all the above, as well as what you stated is all media speculation, and we don't know whats true and what isn't

I think everyone should have an opinion and voice it as well BUT just remember the amount of sucess we have had and then look at other boards/clubs and how they have performed.

We can do much better for sure, but not if we are divided.
 
Guess you are right - will we be much stronger if we stick together no matter what what we think. Even if speculation is right about the board it wont help the club if supporters don't stay bonded no matter how good/bad we think things are.

Glad I did join up and voice my concerns and good to read to read your replies...
 
FootyEater said:
Prescott in three years has coached claremont to three losing grandfinals. he is a good coach. he hasnt been at freo though in an official capacity. he is expected to be offered and accepting of a new job under mark harvey at freo in the next two weeks as an assisstant coach. dean wallis is also expected to be offered and accepting of the defensive assisstant coach under harvs as well.
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Wallis has already been offered and accepted.

Prescott will be a development coach at Essendon next season. Not neccessarily Bendigo coach though.
 
Merv Neagle said:
How about that when Dimma was asked about how to treat Aboriginal players, he replied "the same as everyone else".
That didn't help his cause at all.

I have also heard that in the media simulation, he stuffed it up, where as Knighter nailed it.

My point is all the above, as well as what you stated is all media speculation, and we don't know whats true and what isn't

I think everyone should have an opinion and voice it as well BUT just remember the amount of sucess we have had and then look at other boards/clubs and how they have performed.

We can do much better for sure, but not if we are divided.
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I think Knights will revolutionise how coaches coach teams! I have jumped on board!

However, where you suggested how Dimma would treat aboriginals, I 100% agree with him, if they want equality, treat them equally! I have no time for molly-coddling! Every man equal, no treating any man differently because of their creed or colour.

There is a major difference with regards to treating everyone the same and having respect for another's culture i.e. Houli. They are enabling him to follow his religious guidelines and I am behind that, but I'm not behind being softer to one ethnic or alternative culture than another i.e. aboriginals.

I have aboriginal family members, I am not aboriginal myself, but I do know that for my family members in particular they do not want any special treatment because they are aboriginal, contrary to stereotypes!
 
Sean. said:
He surely is. He's already talked Campo and Heff into retirement, and already given Ayres and Wallis the flick. What's gonna happen next?
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Heff and Campo were going to finish regardless of who is coaching. Wallis i think sort of left us rather then us getting rid of him and Ayres didn't accept a new role which Knights had for him so he left also. Hardly showing who's boss.
 

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Apparently Knights told Heffernan that he wouldn't have much opportunity in 08, so Heff decided to retire. Pretty sure I read somewhere that Heff considered the decision before the West Coast game in rd 22.
 
Sean. said:
He surely is. He's already talked Campo and Heff into retirement, and already given Ayres and Wallis the flick. What's gonna happen next?
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Pretty sure he wanted Campo playing off the bench next year, but because he requires a reco and achillies problems Campo pulled the pin.

He may not have given you blokes a hell of a lot but he was a champ at Carlton and in my eyes would be welcomed back with open arms. :thumbsu:
 
Tommy Alvin said:
Pretty sure he wanted Campo playing off the bench next year, but because he requires a reco and achillies problems Campo pulled the pin.

He may not have given you blokes a hell of a lot but he was a champ at Carlton and in my eyes would be welcomed back with open arms. :thumbsu:
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Personally, I would've been happy to see Campo continue next year, he was one of the few players we had that could actually hurt the opposition by foot. Disappointing his career had to end the way it did, he deserved better.
 
The Donners said:
However, where you suggested how Dimma would treat aboriginals, I 100% agree with him, if they want equality, treat them equally! I have no time for molly-coddling! Every man equal, no treating any man differently because of their creed or colour.

There is a major difference with regards to treating everyone the same and having respect for another's culture i.e. Houli. They are enabling him to follow his religious guidelines and I am behind that, but I'm not behind being softer to one ethnic or alternative culture than another i.e. aboriginals.

I have aboriginal family members, I am not aboriginal myself, but I do know that for my family members in particular they do not want any special treatment because they are aboriginal, contrary to stereotypes!
Click to expand...

That is such an ignorant and simplistic a view. Do you aboriginal family members live within the aboriginal culture? Do they continue to follow aboriginal customs and beliefs? Judging from your post I'm going to say no. There is a cultural difference between indigenous Australians and non-indigenous australians which is undeniable. Aspects of their culture would mean that ranting and raving would be completely futile and even damaging. Their customs involve things such as having trouble answering direct questions, and trouble saying 'no', problems which have hampered the legal system for years. There is absolutely nothing to be gained from employing the same coaching style to players when it will be completely ineffective. If Davey drops a mark, what can be gained from ripping into such a quietly spoken guy? This is applicable not just to race, but to individual players, as an approach such as that advocated by Dimma is outdated and ineffective.

Look at Port Adeliade, they have such success with indigenous players because they are good at recognising the differences in culture and managing them. A team which has such a large indigenous contigent as Essendon would have to recognise and deal with these issues, which Knights is doing. His approach demonstrates that he is socially aware, and should be applauded, while Dimma's approach shows that he is outdated. Pagan was one of the last remaining coaches who emplyed that method, and he was sacked because of his outdated styles. You don't understand the difference between being 'soft' to one culture, and recognising that certain players will have different needs. This doesn't mean that Knights won't give an indigenous player a rocket if he is being deliberately lazy, or misbehaving, it simply means that he knows that this will not always be effective. It shows a felxibility in his thinking. Knights is advocating education about their needs so that he may better coach them. How is that a bad thing?

To say 'if they want equality then they should be treated equally' is liek saying that immigrants should forego their religion if they want Australian citizenship. It shows a lack of comprehension of the complexity that multiculturalsim in Australia involves. I see this as the most impressive aspect of his coaching so far.
 
amster said:
Guess you are right - will we be much stronger if we stick together no matter what what we think. Even if speculation is right about the board it wont help the club if supporters don't stay bonded no matter how good/bad we think things are.

Glad I did join up and voice my concerns and good to read to read your replies...
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That's the key to my dissapointment with many posters. There is a difference between voicing well founded and logical concerns about the clubs chocies, and attempting to damage the club. Save Essendon was trying to hurt the club, just as all those who were saying sack Sheedy and Horsborough were. Even if we don't agree with a decision, for the stability of the club it is essential we support the baord and the club, and then express our concerns in the right environment (the AGM). We are not Richmond or St Kilda.
 
The Donners said:
I think Knights will revolutionise how coaches coach teams! I have jumped on board!

However, where you suggested how Dimma would treat aboriginals, I 100% agree with him, if they want equality, treat them equally! I have no time for molly-coddling! Every man equal, no treating any man differently because of their creed or colour.

There is a major difference with regards to treating everyone the same and having respect for another's culture i.e. Houli. They are enabling him to follow his religious guidelines and I am behind that, but I'm not behind being softer to one ethnic or alternative culture than another i.e. aboriginals.

I have aboriginal family members, I am not aboriginal myself, but I do know that for my family members in particular they do not want any special treatment because they are aboriginal, contrary to stereotypes!
Click to expand...

Why is there a major difference between a persons cultural beliefs and their religious beliefs?
 
SOT4 said:
That is such an ignorant and simplistic a view. Do you aboriginal family members live within the aboriginal culture? Do they continue to follow aboriginal customs and beliefs? Judging from your post I'm going to say no. There is a cultural difference between indigenous Australians and non-indigenous australians which is undeniable. Aspects of their culture would mean that ranting and raving would be completely futile and even damaging. Their customs involve things such as having trouble answering direct questions, and trouble saying 'no', problems which have hampered the legal system for years. There is absolutely nothing to be gained from employing the same coaching style to players when it will be completely ineffective. If Davey drops a mark, what can be gained from ripping into such a quietly spoken guy? This is applicable not just to race, but to individual players, as an approach such as that advocated by Dimma is outdated and ineffective.

Look at Port Adeliade, they have such success with indigenous players because they are good at recognising the differences in culture and managing them. A team which has such a large indigenous contigent as Essendon would have to recognise and deal with these issues, which Knights is doing. His approach demonstrates that he is socially aware, and should be applauded, while Dimma's approach shows that he is outdated. Pagan was one of the last remaining coaches who emplyed that method, and he was sacked because of his outdated styles. You don't understand the difference between being 'soft' to one culture, and recognising that certain players will have different needs. This doesn't mean that Knights won't give an indigenous player a rocket if he is being deliberately lazy, or misbehaving, it simply means that he knows that this will not always be effective. It shows a felxibility in his thinking. Knights is advocating education about their needs so that he may better coach them. How is that a bad thing?

To say 'if they want equality then they should be treated equally' is liek saying that immigrants should forego their religion if they want Australian citizenship. It shows a lack of comprehension of the complexity that multiculturalsim in Australia involves. I see this as the most impressive aspect of his coaching so far.
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You are more than welcome to go off on a tangent and interpret what I said however way you want. Isn't treating people different because of their colour, creed or religion racist???

The more you molly-coddle... the deeper the divide!

You have no proof of how Port Adelaide treat their aboriginals.
 

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Coaching Staff Past Coach: Matthew Knights - Finally gets his second shot - 5/5

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