The Good, the Bad and the Ugly of Coaching

[Harrisonrules 273]

There have been many opinions on whether Jack Watts was the right pick and when he should play. I have been happy to be patient and listen to the coaches reassure us. I think they have done a GOOD JOB. I was one who saw Jack last year, I've been to see him at Casey, and saw him today. I'm happy, with his skills, loved those marks. He's a great kick and tremendous handball. Yes the bodies got a way to go yet, but you can build the body. You cann't give it speed or all of those skills he obviously has . He's going to be great and the coaches are doing a good job and I am happy to trust them with him rather than those fickle press that are on his case.

There is much that has been good with the coaching. We've seen some good stuff this year. Could have been five wins with a bit of luck, but just as our kids are young and developing, believe it or not so are our coaches. Been out coached a number of times and we are still seeing some BAD stuff there. With my mate we saw the practice game against the Eagles. Similar pattern played out: in Feb we were just competative in the first half, but the Eagles ran away with it after half time. There zones stopped us scoring, they ran down the ground so easily with precision passing. Today we felt our inexperienced coaching staff had not learnt a thing from that game. BAD NEWS

A few notable issues pertinent today were questionable team selection which resulted in a slow team. We lacked run and carry which was needed to overcome the ‘strangle’ and the zones that West Coast applied. Jetta and Wonnamaeri had good games at Casey last week end and Jetta at least could have been in the team today. No run out of the back half. Can we play both Rivers and an underdone Garland. Bail's speed is missed or maybe Bennell could have been moved back.

As to tactics and strategy on the day – inept and lacking initiative. Where is Plan B. Bailey at the press conference after the game lamented our over use of handball and kicking out to the flanks. What did he and his coaching panel do to change it. 230 handballs in a game is utterly ridiculous. Also, why not move people around, make positional changes in the third quarter when the game was slipping away. No proactive or reactive thought. Good coaches change games around. As yet, Dean Bailey and his panel of coaches consistently fail in this regard. Uncle Frawley speaks of James experience on the forward line. Rivers and Garland have both played forward before joining the club. We've got too many backs, why aren't these options being tried.

Bad coaching creates some UGLY DISCUSSION amongst the supporters and press. Our inexperienced coaches need to do something to develop more speedily than they are presently performing. I suggest some experienced mentoring, now that would be profession.