I'm one of those people who still believes the darkest hour is always before dawn. But it's been an awfully long night with Bailey. If we have to look for a new coach what about Alistair Clarkson? From what I have heard he has not extended his contract with Hawthorn for next season. The papers report rumblings that he has issues with the likes of Jeff Kennett. Over the past six years he has proved to be an innovative premiership coach. He is still young and fresh and appears to have the ability to be a front runner as far as developing game plans and players to match or keep ahead of the herd. He is also a former Melbourne player who played against stereotype. He played 40 odd mostly excellent games with us and had a tough mean streak. I think he would be a great coach for us and knows exactly what it takes to win a flag. About time we become proactive and try to poach this guy even if it costs big bucks.

Edited May 5, 201114 yr by america de cali

I'm one of those people who still believes the darkest hour is always before dawn. But it's been an awfully long night with Bailey. If we have to look for a new coach what about Alistair Clarkson? From what I have heard he has not extended his contract with Hawthorn for next season. The papers report rumblings that he has issues with the likes of Jeff Kennett. Over the past six years he has proved to be an innovative premiership coach. He is still young and fresh and appears to have the ability to be a front runner as far as developing game plans and players to match or keep ahead of the herd. He is also a former Melbourne player who played against stereotype. He played 40 oddmostly excellent games with us and had a tough mean streak. I think he would be a great coach for us and knows exactly what it takes to win a flag. About time we become proactive and try to poach this guy even if it costs big bucks.

I'd be all for him coming back into the Dees fold, just not as Head Coach...

But would be great to have him in the as one of the line Coaches! No problemo.

We need some stiffening up about the place, and he and Viney to name 2, is a good start.

Ask Hawthorn supporters. Most I know would happily pack his bags for him

Ask Hawthorn supporters. Most I know would happily pack his bags for him

Wel they must be ingrates then. He bloody well got them a flag. Do we need any more nice guys?

Wel they must be ingrates then. He bloody well got them a flag. Do we need any more nice guys?

Yep, he did. Viewed as a one trick pony & he's used his trick.

Hawk fans bewail their game plan as much as we do.

Yep, he did. Viewed as a one trick pony & he's used his trick.

Hawk fans bewail their game plan as much as we do.

Going on recent performances we bewail their game plan more than they do.

Pass.................I know plenty of Hawk supporters who do not rate him.

No more compromises.............aim for the best available!

It took Malthouse 16 years to reprise his premiership streak with the filth. And Roos hasn't backed up after 2005. What do you want, God or Clint Eastwood?

It took Malthouse 16 years to reprise his premiership streak with the filth. And Roos hasn't backed up after 2005. What do you want, God or Clint Eastwood?

God, lol. I'll do you 1 better. We have to get Chuck Norris on board. Sign him now, before other clubs start sniffing!

God, lol. I'll do you 1 better. We have to get Chuck Norris on board. Sign him now, before other clubs start sniffing!

Yeah he'll do too. I'd just like to see someone eyeball Green and Davey, shove them against a wall, slap them around a bit then make them to do the same to their team mates. Alas, wishful thinking.

No thanks, he has failed dismally since winning the Bradbury flag.

No thanks, he has failed dismally since winning the Bradbury flag.

^^ This. Clarkson may return to melbourne, but now is not the time.

I'm one of those people who still believes the darkest hour is always before dawn. But it's been an awfully long night with Bailey. If we have to look for a new coach what about Alistair Clarkson? From what I have heard he has not extended his contract with Hawthorn for next season. The papers report rumblings that he has issues with the likes of Jeff Kennett. Over the past six years he has proved to be an innovative premiership coach. He is still young and fresh and appears to have the ability to be a front runner as far as developing game plans and players to match or keep ahead of the herd. He is also a former Melbourne player who played against stereotype. He played 40 odd mostly excellent games with us and had a tough mean streak. I think he would be a great coach for us and knows exactly what it takes to win a flag. About time we become proactive and try to poach this guy even if it costs big bucks.

Lovely man. Absolute gentleman. A partial Demon,in fact. He's already popped his cork. No fizz left.

I'm one of those people who still believes the darkest hour is always before dawn. But it's been an awfully long night with Bailey. If we have to look for a new coach what about Alistair Clarkson? From what I have heard he has not extended his contract with Hawthorn for next season. The papers report rumblings that he has issues with the likes of Jeff Kennett. Over the past six years he has proved to be an innovative premiership coach. He is still young and fresh and appears to have the ability to be a front runner as far as developing game plans and players to match or keep ahead of the herd. He is also a former Melbourne player who played against stereotype. He played 40 odd mostly excellent games with us and had a tough mean streak. I think he would be a great coach for us and knows exactly what it takes to win a flag. About time we become proactive and try to poach this guy even if it costs big bucks.

Who wouldn't? B)

How the guy led a team to a flag is beyond me.

How the guy led a team to a flag is beyond me.

I am not surprised.

You have got to laugh at Hawks supporters who apparently bemoan a Coach who took them to a flag against the odds only 3 years before against a crushing side like Geelong.

The criticism of Clarkson as a "one trick pony" is sorely misplaced.

And its a bit rich claiming Clarkson as coming back to the Demons. He spent most of time at North and spent two ordinary years at MFC as a fringe player (one then as a runner).

I am not sure I would want him as the next coach of MFC but I sure as hell respect what he has done in his time with Hawthorn (particularly dealing with Kennett)

^^ This. Clarkson may return to melbourne, but now is not the time.

Honestly, I cannot believe the stupidity of some posters. I went looking for a Bradbury flag. I couldn't find it. You know why? There is no such thing. It's absolutely ridiculous that MFC supporters can discount any coach who wins his team a flag. No-one fell over for Hawthorn to win the flag, they evolved a game plan (albeit an ugly one) that could beat a brilliant side on its day. They played to their strengths, and more went right for them in 2008 than has gone right for us in almost 50 years.

What appeals to me about Clarkson is that he has been able to change and innovate his coaching style and it appears he has a very strong personality. We have had too many thoughtful nice guy types in recent decades. I'd like to see someone with a little psycho streak in him. He created the rolling zone that defeated Geelong at the top of their game. Now he has ditched that in response to changing times and is mastering the new pressing style in vogue. And also demonstrated with devastating effect against us. With Hawthorn I don't think he has the players to create a long term dominant team like the recent Brisbane, Geelong and now perhaps Collingwood sides. He is still a young man and is an age peer of Todd Viney. Will be good to see him team up with Todd Viney again who was with him in their rapid development phase. Does anyone know how they get along?

What appeals to me about Clarkson is that he has been able to change and innovate his coaching style and it appears he has a very strong personality. We have had too many thoughtful nice guy types in recent decades. I'd like to see someone with a little psycho streak in him. He created the rolling zone that defeated Geelong at the top of their game. Now he has ditched that in response to changing times and is mastering the new pressing style in vogue. And also demonstrated with devastating effect against us. With Hawthorn I don't think he has the players to create a long term dominant team like the recent Brisbane, Geelong and now perhaps Collingwood sides. He is still a young man and is an age peer of Todd Viney. Will be good to see him team up with Todd Viney again who was with him in their rapid development phase. Does anyone know how they get along?

It's a myth that Danners and Bailey are "nice guys". They may be nice people, but they are both strong personalities, let me tell you. Anyone who dealt with or was exposed to Daniher in particular and saw how he coached and managed the MFC knows that all too well!

Edited May 6, 201114 yr by Choko

Honestly, I cannot believe the stupidity of some posters. I went looking for a Bradbury flag. I couldn't find it. You know why? There is no such thing. It's absolutely ridiculous that MFC supporters can discount any coach who wins his team a flag. No-one fell over for Hawthorn to win the flag, they evolved a game plan (albeit an ugly one) that could beat a brilliant side on its day. They played to their strengths, and more went right for them in 2008 than has gone right for us in almost 50 years.

Crossed posts. Very well said.

It's a myth that Danners and Bailey are "nice guys". They may be nice people, but they are both strong personalities, let me tell you. Anyone who knows anything about how Daniher in particular coached and managed the MFC knows that.

I take your word for it but it does not reflect on to the playing group or their game plans.

I take your word for it but it does not reflect on to the playing group or their game plans.

I think Daniher was protective of his players and very much backed those he liked and shunned those he didn't like. His gameplan was to back his players to take the game on, which in late 90s and probably the first half of the 2000's was valid, though not particularly sophisticated.

Bailey is really more a teacher and developer, with a clear mandate from the club to do that. He gives very little away, so you rarely get insights from him on what he is actually thinking. Certainly some (I can't say all) players are quite intimidated of him.

Blues fans have knocked Ratts for a couple of years and can't wait to get rid of him. I asked a few who want him gone what would they do if they made the GF or even Prelim this year and they changed and said oh well we suppose he should stay. So that means to them a good coach is one who makes the Prelim. Should Eade be sacked after several Prelims as Dogs haven't made the GF under him or are they reaching to where they deserve to get to. How many Dees fans who want Bailey gone would change their minds if we made the 8 this year and maybe even won a final? Daniher made finals one year and missed the next and most were happy with him as Coach for quite a while.

I would hate to be an AFL Coach as there is a sense of failure at just about everything short of a GF appearance. Most of us were happy with Bailey last year but it has swung against him badly this year. Wonder if the mood would change if we string a few wins together.

PS. I think we are being poorly coached and developed at the moment.

Edited May 6, 201114 yr by Redleg

Clarkson did put together a game plan that worked for a year, but then again if cam mooney had kicked straight who knows what we would be saying...

As for a new coach, im hearing roo's, Malthouse.... I want Leigh Matthews.

Who could possibly be better suited to develop our list further?

Leigh is a genius, a winner as a player and both times as a coach.

give him the $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ and pull him out of the media i say...

I would say that Roos Malthouse, Mathews and Clarkson would all be candidates worth considering. We don't need an Eade type who's teams have more or less mirrored our unrealised potential minus the really bad years.

Hearing Roos on THE COUCH this week was very interesting. When the discussion came to us he appeared a little uncomfortable and under some pressure and it looked like that Healy and Sheahan were interrogating him IMO. Don't know whats going on there.

For Malthouse I'm not sure he would find it appealing to coach us given our culture. I feel he may find it a better package to coach Carlton. With a little luck St Kilda could have beaten the filth last season. The margin when ultimate success is up for grabs is so small.

As for Mathews. He's been there, done that. He's got a good media career now that looks very secure. May not be interested in coaching anymore.

I still feel Bailey can get us to the eight. Some of the footy we have played this season has been very impressive but always of the catch up variety. But our worst has been lamentable. He has to turn things around quick. We are fortunate that we have been able to get some early cheap points this season which has given us a fighting chance for rebounding.

Edited May 6, 201114 yr by america de cali