A DEVELOPMENTAL COACH ?

[Harrisonrules 273]

I am conscious that to raise the question of the coaching panel is to venture into what many regard as a no go zone. I have watched Cameron Schwab's whiteboard Wednesday's with interest and believe we have a quality person in his position. Along with Chris C and Jimmy we are as well lead as we have been for some time. Nevertheless I go back to some of Cameron's early presentations and one area of the club which he had not included in his scheme as needing to be accountable was the coaching. No doubt there is some mechanism for coaching evaluation, but the fact it was not identified in the clubs declared plan raises the alarm bells in my mind. I don't believe it is truely accepted seriously enough as needing to be accountable, yet it is one of the most vital areas that determine performance.

Dean impressed the selection panel by presenting himself as a Developmental coach. Development is one portfolio of the coaching role. Could you see Malthouse, Sheedy, Voss, Thompson, Eade, Roos presenting themselves as such. Are they any less developmental coaches than Dean. Certainly not, they are developing players all the time. But they see themselves as senior club coaches and embrace every area of that task. To me this suggests that Dean really sees himself as a DEVELOPING coach. A friend raised this with Dean in a social setting and he suggested he talks about his coaching with the other coaches and his wife (I'm sure it was a friendly comment and I don't begrudge him talking to his wife about the football and his challenges, I would myself). I have had some concern about our coaching panel. My probably less than informed observation is that each coach on the panel is relatively inexperienced. My cynical observation is that this is to Deans advantage because I can again understand he would not want his assistants to be significantly more experienced than himself. At least Williams had the courage and confidence to take on Laidley. I believe the supporter base is still confused about Dean's ability. Selections, slow starts, little experimentations, at one stage no game plan now perhaps one, are the types of constant discussion points in the bar or lunch room. It is difficult to find any particular point that one can clearly say, "gee I really like what Dean is doing in that area".

Am I bagging DEan. No. I believe Dean is inexperienced in terms of successful coaches. It would be professional for the club to have a senior advisor to review and challenge him and his team. I believe Cameron Schwab should have this clearly schematized in his plan. When I see it there I will know the club is serious about developing the whole club. Dean is no where near a Premiership coach nor are his panel. He will not drift toward it. The atmosphere around the club wants to know that this stone will not be left unturned. OUR DEVELOPMENTAL COACH IS MERELY A DEVELOPING COACH. IT WOULD BE PROFESSIONAL FOR HIM TO HAVE A COACHING MENTOR AND BE ACCOUNTABLE TO THE CLUB ADMINITRATION FOR IT.

[dazzledavey36 54,881]

mark williams i think is our development coach and i think he is doin a great job.

[ox_5 163]

I believe that Chris Connolly, in his role as GM of Football is very much the mentor for Bails.

[agent_orange 0]

I believe that Chris Connolly, in his role as GM of Football is very much the mentor for Bails.

Apart of being a good coach is accepting blame - fixing your own weaknesses. The thing that concerns me is Bailey talks about the players needing this and that. But at times, Bailey is outcoached on the day by a better coach.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

At least Williams had the courage and confidence to take on Laidley. I believe the supporter base is still confused about Dean's ability. Selections, slow starts, little experimentations, at one stage no game plan now perhaps one, are the types of constant discussion points in the bar or lunch room. It is difficult to find any particular point that one can clearly say, "gee I really like what Dean is doing in that area".

FFS, if MFC relied on the views of the supporter base there would never be one brave sensible decision which should some forthought and vision. The same sample of the supporter base would still be just as confused if we won a flag how we did it.

And Williams ...courage and confidence... Turn it up. If it wasnt for his current contract ridiculously arranged by the Port Board, he would have been out of Alberton long ago. He is dead man walking. If anything the Port Board appointed Laidley. Williams is running a dysfunctional outfit who up down performances are a disgrace. The on field behaviour of senior players like Motlop and Chad Cornes is appalling. He is well past his use by date and the Port club cant wait for his contract to expire. They cant afford to pay him out.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

Apart of being a good coach is accepting blame - fixing your own weaknesses. The thing that concerns me is Bailey talks about the players needing this and that. But at times, Bailey is outcoached on the day by a better coach.

Or does Bailey not have the experienced match hardened cattle to do the job. And give up on expecting anything meaty at press conference. A good coach is trained to bat back the questions with cliches and generalisations.

[Go the Biff 3,414]

mark williams i think is our development coach and i think he is doin a great job.

Nah, Kelly O'Donnell has the development job Dazzler. May have been Williams last year

[dazzledavey36 54,881]

my mistake biff ur right on the money there