While it doesn't mention anything about Melbourne in particular, I thought I would post a link to this article as it is an awesome read and gives a bit of insight into what a coach goes through.

Paul Roos - The Golden Rules Of AFL Coaching

There is so much going on that your head spins and now I look back on it, probably my best achievement was bluffing the others in the box that I was completely under control. The truth is there were times I had no idea what was happening.

You've missed a few of the best bits.

Clearly Matthew Knights is the coach being talked about here:

SELL A GAME STYLE

COACHES must implement a style of play in which they believe.

You have to just hammer it into the football staff and players, and don't waiver from it.

I remember a few years back talking to an assistant at a club with a new coach. This was during the pre-season, and I asked him what the main game-style changes were from the previous coach.

He said they hadn't done much on style and he wasn't sure. You can bet that if he didn't know, the players certainly wouldn't have had a clue.

And I think this is an area where Bailey has excelled and will not waiver, no matter how many people create threads about the "Cameron Bruce Debacle":

STAY THE COURSE

EVERY coach who has won a premiership from 2004 has had to endure heavy criticism in the media during the journey.

Some of the bagging has been so intense that if it had been up to the media and fans, those men would have been sacked. In order, Mark Williams, myself, John Worsfold, Mark Thompson, Alastair Clarkson and Mick Malthouse all weathered the storm and stuck to their game plans.

I remember in 2005 getting all sorts of advice and opinion from a lot of people outside the club. But not once did the coaches and players waiver on what we were trying to achieve.

Many coaches who have failed have succumbed to outside pressure and continually changed their plan, leading to confused players and staff.

Edit: also consider how this may apply to Neale Daniher...

Edited March 26, 201114 yr by e25

If Barry Hall had been correctly suspended the Swans would never have won a flag and Roos every utterance wouldn't be considered gospel. And the four things he's talking about here wouldn't be unquestioningly accepted. Don't get me wrong because Roos is a fantastic coach but I also remember criticism of Mark Williams for not changing his game plan to which he replied "we've changed it every year".

And where does this comment of "never wavering" fit with "must be flexible enough to respond to game developments?

These things are never black and white and coaches who win flags don't always have these things right. Much more important is they have the best players. Daniher never did but on a performance versus ability count he was right up there. His thoughts, however, would be heavily discounted against Roos because he never won a flag.

The view of Daniher is he "lost" the game on the field but I disagree. He lost it off the field but managed to hold on for as long as he did because of his exceptional "on field" abilities.

Your opinion holds merit. However I see Roos as a great coach because he turned a group of above average footballers into a champion team. He really got the most out of his players. Would I hold this opinion if they had not won a premiership? maybe not as much.

Each to their own.

Regardless, I found the article interesting

If Barry Hall had been correctly suspended the Swans would never have won a flag and Roos every utterance wouldn't be considered gospel. And the four things he's talking about here wouldn't be unquestioningly accepted. Don't get me wrong because Roos is a fantastic coach but I also remember criticism of Mark Williams for not changing his game plan to which he replied "we've changed it every year".

It's interesting isn't it - Paul Roos is a genius and Ross Lyon is a chump.

If Barry Hall had been correctly suspended the Swans would never have won a flag and Roos every utterance wouldn't be considered gospel. And the four things he's talking about here wouldn't be unquestioningly accepted. Don't get me wrong because Roos is a fantastic coach but I also remember criticism of Mark Williams for not changing his game plan to which he replied "we've changed it every year".

And where does this comment of "never wavering" fit with "must be flexible enough to respond to game developments?

These things are never black and white and coaches who win flags don't always have these things right. Much more important is they have the best players. Daniher never did but on a performance versus ability count he was right up there. His thoughts, however, would be heavily discounted against Roos because he never won a flag.

The view of Daniher is he "lost" the game on the field but I disagree. He lost it off the field but managed to hold on for as long as he did because of his exceptional "on field" abilities.

I rate Roos very highly, and did enjoy reading the above article, but Barry "Festival" Hall should never have played in that 2005 GF. Roos is a lucky premiership coach, but that said, i think DB is a similiar character in so much as he believes in himself and his plans.

It is certainly an article to file away for future reference.

I've loved his commentary today.

I've loved his commentary today.

what station is he on 45?? i always like to listen to Paul Roos, he is just straight ahead down to Earth.

He's on the Fox commentary team.

They need him - because it's otherwise woeful IMO.

He's on the Fox commentary team.

They need him - because it's otherwise woeful IMO.

Thanks, no wonder i haven't heard him....i cannot Pay Rupert for TV (with ads) it is just not right!!!

It always amazes me the credence they gives Roos, here's a guy who has sent football in totally the wrong direction the past 6 or 7 years, any team he's touched, including St Kilda via Ross Lyon, has played the boringiest football on the planet, and last night's fiasco was typical of his influence, even last year premiers have the Paul Roos touch, avoid the centre, cause you might make a mistake and turn it over, and press up and strangle the game

The view of Daniher is he "lost" the game on the field but I disagree. He lost it off the field but managed to hold on for as long as he did because of his exceptional "on field" abilities.

I completely disagree. What exceptional on-field abilities did he display? I'm pretty keen to know, because I can't see where you're coming from.

Very interesting read this.

Clearly Goodwin has learnt from Roos as seen through his refusal to change the game plan. Reading through some of Roos' quotes, it appears that Simon won't be changing his game plan anytime soon, possibly ever.

Goodwin will either go down in a heap of flames, or lead a Buckley/Hardwick revival.

Let's see if Roos' teachings will pay off.

Keep your door open and Don't Carry the Stress are the 2 you missed there and probably the 2 that apply to Goody the most right now.

The hub might be the best thing that happens.

Goody gets a chance to have dinner (and breakfast and lunch) with players every night now and should take full advantage of that to sit down and just dive right in to making sure he's as tight as ever with his players. Even if the players aren't sold on the game plan or coaching they should still love the coach as a person if he's the right guy.

And then the stress. I said preseason we'll know this year will be better if we see a new Goodwin in press conferences. We haven't so far. He's getting more wooden and despondent. Relax, take a deep breath and be the Simon Goodwin the players get to see, the former player who played great footy and had a heap of fun doing it.