Who Will be Melbourne's Senior Coach in 2008?

[CHAMP 347]

Well, as expected Connolly has shortened dramatically in all markets... now the clear favourite to get the Melbourne Job.

Say what you like about bookies, but they're very cluey on this sort of stuff.

He's shortened to $3 from $3.50 pre-resignation, with the rest of the board unadjusted. Bookies cannot afford to be anything but cluey.

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

Well, as expected Connolly has shortened dramatically in all markets... now the clear favourite to get the Melbourne Job.

Say what you like about bookies, but they're very cluey on this sort of stuff.

What I don't understand is, who are the people out there who actually think that they will make some money by backing Connolly to get the Melbourne job?

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

What I don't understand is, who are the people out there who actually think that they will make some money by backing Connolly to get the Melbourne job?

They call them punters.

Before anyone gets too excited, how big is the betting book on this and what size bets are coming on?

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

They call them punters.

Is it because I didn't put a or a at the end of the sentence that you weren't able pick up on the sarcastic tone?

[diesel 420]

Say what you like about bookies, but they're very cluey on this sort of stuff.

Exactly. That is why they framed Connolly as favourite straight away. They are trying to draw in all the mugs same as they did last year with Longmire > StKilda and I would say the mugs will keep coming while footy media twats keep spruiking Connollys' name because they are too lazy to actually put any thought into it or discuss the issue in a logical manner.

Connolly is the one candidate in the book with "form" and it's no better than Danners.

[Guest unstable punt]

Exactly. That is why they framed Connolly as favourite straight away. They are trying to draw in all the mugs same as they did last year with Longmire > StKilda and I would say the mugs will keep coming while footy media twats keep spruiking Connollys' name because they are too lazy to actually put any thought into it or discuss the issue in a logical manner.

Connolly is the one candidate in the book with "form" and it's no better than Danners.

they will not get an old coach whose done it before unless it is a successful premiership coach, we will get a younger assistant coach whose ready to go and that means no voss

[Guest unstable punt]

l reckon Bond might be given a go

[Jumping Jack Clennett 1,609]

Connolly was an average player who played a few good games for MFC before injuring a knee. He is an ordinary coach who has not got the best from his list. Apparently he was a great bloke to have around on a footy trip and was an excellent clubman. His other claim to fame is that Garry Lyon thinks highly of him. I would rather Riley.

Just a minute, "Wayne", though I agree with you in not wanting Connolly to coach us, I would like to express my difference of opinion on his quality as a player. I reckon he was a champion whose career was cruelly curtailed by injury. He was courageous to fault, a very penetrating and accurate left foot kick, who was unusually proficient on his non-preferred(right ) side. He was elusive despite a lack of pace, with effective frequent use of the " blind turn". He was also a good mark for his size. I was so impressed by his skills that I contend we would have won the '87 premiership if we'd had a fit Connolly at our disposal.

(I sometimes wonder if all sides have a list of potential stars whose careers never blossomed because of injury, but I would put Connolly on our list , with Dean, Jakovich, Prymke, Charles, and to a lesser extent, Schwarz. There are others whose names I can't bring to mind at present, perhaps other Demonlanders could help.)

Do you remember Connolly well, "Wayne"? Do you agree that you might have under-rated him in your post? Anyway, I suppose it's irrelevant with respect to his likely value as coach. In fact, with a few notable exceptions, (Matthews, Norm Smith,Blight, Barassi,Roos etc!), sometimes I feel it's better to have been a bit of a battler in your playing days to become a good coach (Jeans, Kennedy, Hafey etc.)

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

Is it because I didn't put a or a at the end of the sentence that you weren't able pick up on the sarcastic tone?

Was it actually sarcasm? Sarcasm is usually harsh or bitter derision or irony or a sharply ironical taunt; sneering or cutting remark. Your original question seemed absent of any of those elements and I am not sure emoticons add anything

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

I was so impressed by his skills that I contend we would have won the '87 premiership if we'd had a fit Connolly at our disposal.

You would be doing yourself no favours Jack.

Connolly was a skilful players who was cut down by injury before he had a chance to hit his peak. He never reached champion status and its debatable if he ever would have.

We were a mile away from the 1987 flag and Connolly on one or two legs would not have got us closer.

[CarnTheDees 52]

and I am not sure emoticons add anything

Pure gold coming from you RR!

Even with Connolly's association with the MFC and his recent move into unemployment, his odds still seem very short. I can't remember him ever being lauded as a great coach even when Freo were flying (although we don't get a lot of news from WA over here). I've never heard him being referred to as a very good tactician/list manager/communicator etc which most of the current coaches seem to have at least one or two of those titles...

Even with his good coaching record (~60% win ratio I think) his (I think) poor reputation as a coach (plus their recent discipline issues) makes me think that he isn't as sure of getting the job as the bookies think.

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

...

Is there anyone in particular that you would like to see coach Melbourne next year Rhino?

[CARN THE DEES! 14]

I would love 2 see Todd Viney as our coach with Michael Voss as assigent coach. I like riley and he is a good coach but i have a slight suspision that Riley might find his way back 2 the west and work with Freo his former home.

[diesel 420]

they will not get an old coach whose done it before unless it is a successful premiership coach,

The reason if they did would need to be compelling.

we will get a younger assistant coach whose ready to go and that means no voss

a hunch or you know this because?

[godees 640]

I don't understand why everyone (outside melbourne fans) thinks Connolly should coach us?

Just because he played for us doesn't mean we will want him. ND has a far better record and we ditched him.

I would like someone new who has had assistant coaching experience eg. Ratten, Bond, Harvey, McKenna, Rehn etc, but definately NOT Voss. I don't know what the fuss is about him. Champion footballer and very keen to get into coaching but whenever I hear him commentate he never seems to say anything particularly insightful and IMO comes off a bit immature. Give him a few years as an assistant and I think he would be an excellent candidate but he is kidding himself if he thinks he is ready to coach next year.

If we hire Laidley or Connolly i will not be happy. One that hasn't been talked about lots is Shaun Rehn. Not sure if he is interested or not, but he has some very good experience.

[Weedster 174]

I don't understand why everyone (outside melbourne fans) thinks Connolly should coach us?

Just because he played for us doesn't mean we will want him. ND has a far better record and we ditched him.

I would like someone new who has had assistant coaching experience eg. Ratten, Bond, Harvey, McKenna, Rehn etc, but definately NOT Voss. I don't know what the fuss is about him. Champion footballer and very keen to get into coaching but whenever I hear him commentate he never seems to say anything particularly insightful and IMO comes off a bit immature. Give him a few years as an assistant and I think he would be an excellent candidate but he is kidding himself if he thinks he is ready to coach next year.

If we hire Laidley or Connolly i will not be happy. One that hasn't been talked about lots is Shaun Rehn. Not sure if he is interested or not, but he has some very good experience.

Mark Williams had CC pencilled in for The Demons this morning on SEN

[diesel 420]

Mark Williams had CC pencilled in for The Demons this morning on SEN

So does Doug Hawkins who said he has pt $4000 on it at about $4. Doug the mug

[kieranbj 107]

So does Doug Hawkins who said he has pt $4000 on it at about $4. Doug the mug

who arksed doug for his opinion anyway

[tess 19]

So does Doug Hawkins who said he has pt $4000 on it at about $4. Doug the mug

He said it was the biggest bet of his life.

[The Red Fox 216]

Latest Odds from SportsBet. Bloody Conolly's shortened.

Any other person represent's good value given that Sheedy, Pagan or Laidley could be available.

Chris Connolly 3.00 Any Other Person 4.50 Mark Riley 6.50 Guy Mc Kenna 8.00 Todd Viney 11.00 Brett Ratten 11.00 Michael Voss 12.00 Chris Bond 12.00 John Longmire 17.00 Mark Harvey 17.00 Peter Sumich 34.00 Damien Hardwick 51.00 Brian Royal 67.00

[melbournefc 18]

I sorta created another little poll on my blogspot page....feel free to vote and make comments there.

All this coach stuff is kinda freaky now....limbolike. Geez, I hope we get someone decent otherwise alot of Melbourne people will jump ship next year.

[Deetastic 0]

I think that Connolly would make a very good coach at the MFC. Connolly has done his apprenticeship with Fremantle, he has made a number of mistakes but he would have learnt from those mistakes and that will make him a far better coach second time around. I would much prefer someone with some experience rather than offering another apprenticeship to a up coming coach who will make those mistakes with us.

Further Connolly is exceptionally good with the media. He draws the media in and creates vibe. This is something that would be very useful for a club like Melbourne which has small supporter base and struggles to be heard in a city of 6 teams.

Connolly is my first choice unless Malthouse or Mathews come available and the chances of this are zero.

I know many of you will disagree with me as he has not got the best out of his list this year but I believe if you look harder at his performance over his seven years as coach and consider the experience he has had in Fremantle and combined with his media flare, he would make an excellent Melbourne coach.

[Demon Disciple 10,916]

I think that Connolly would make a very good coach at the MFC.

Point taken,.......................

but oh dear

[Super Demon 14]

I know many of you will disagree with me as he has not got the best out of his list this year but I believe if you look harder at his performance over his seven years as coach and consider the experience he has had in Fremantle and combined with his media flare, he would make an excellent Melbourne coach.

I respect your point of view, I too think that Connolly is no doubt a decent bloke and who is good with the media etc etc

However, we need to take into account the list that he had at his disposal at Fremantle (this is the key point).

Fremantle's aim in 2007 was to WIN the AFL Premiership.

Not to just make the top 4

Not to just make the top 8

This is where Connolly has failed to capitalize and has now paid the price

We must ask ourselves this question.....What type of coach do we want in 2008 and beyond?

More of the same.....Daniher / Connolly

or

Do we look for something different

eg

Someone who won't play favorites

Someone who will be an innovative instead of reactive

Someone who won't just try and copy last years Premiers game plan.

What do you think?

[pantaloons 2,018]

My personal preference is for someone other than Connolly, but I don't think he's the terrible option many do.

Grant Thomas referred to him as one of the better match day coaches he had battled against, which is a decent compliment even if you don't value thomas' opinion.

I feel that Connolly actually did a very good job with Fremantle. Before he took over, the club was one of the biggest laughing stocks in world sport, and while any club sporting the colour combination of purple, green, red and white may never be a respected force, he at least guided that disgraceful franchise to its only two finals appearance, and finished with a better than 50% winning record. I also feel that Freo's list is one of the most overrated lists I have ever seen.

However, some of Connolly's strengths also indicae to me that he's not our best option. Like Daniher, he had some better than expected results with a team largely comprised of soft front-runners. Connolly also had to deal with less than ideal circumstances off field. While Daniher's concerns were more to do with a poor club and wretched facilities, Connolly has a list of wild turkeys. I don't know how much Connolly could have been expected to curtail the woeful behaviour of loose cannons off-field, but it doesn't count as a tick for him. Connolly's lack of finals experience is a concern, and I have doubts over his ability to have the toughness to change the attitude of the Melbourne playing list.