Coach's contract Status

[olisik 4,060]

I was wandering if anybody knew much about the contract status of our current crop of Coaches?

I know Neeld is into his 2nd year of a 3 year contract, does anybody know how long is left on the other coaches such as Craig, Misson, Rawlings ect?

Just a bit antsy as it would hurt if any of them were to leave or be poached by other clubs.

[rpfc 27,591]

I know Wellman has a year left, so he won't leave...

If they are doing a good enough job that they can be poached then good.

And I really doubt Craig will be going anywhere. That's the only guy I don't think is easily replaced.

[farmerwiz 60]

need to keep the core

neeld, craig, misson and probably rawlings n brown

rest are replaceable

[olisik 4,060]

Royal is replaceable

[stuie 7,374]

Royal is replaceable

Yeah what happened with Royal? I thought he was out of contract at the end of last season... Haven't seen any announcements but he's still around.

[olisik 4,060]

Yeah what happened with Royal? I thought he was out of contract at the end of last season... Haven't seen any announcements but he's still around.

Maybe his just hanging around in his own free time

[The Chazz 4,077]

Yeah what happened with Royal? I thought he was out of contract at the end of last season... Haven't seen any announcements but he's still around.

I would love to see someone like Robert Harvey get poached for this role.

[rpfc 27,591]

I would love to see someone come up with an anti-Royal argument that doesn't boil down to "I like shiny new objects!"

[The Chazz 4,077]

I would love to see someone come up with an anti-Royal argument that doesn't boil down to "I like shiny new objects!"

RP, I'll bite (as expected).

Have a look at Royal's resume. As an Assistant Coach, he is been involved with Melbourne, Western Bulldogs, Richmond and St Kilda. The only team he has been associated with that went close to winning a flag was St Kilda (they drew the year he was there), who he was with for 1 season.

My concern with Royal is that he has been involved in the game a long time, and has never been involved in a premiership. While he's not on his own there, the game has changed a lot in recent years, and I'm just not sure if he's "fresh" enough with his ideas.

This is obviously a totally uneducated personal opinion, but that's how I feel. BTW, I'm not obsessed with "shiny and new objects", I just think we could do better than him as our midfield coach.

[stuie 7,374]

I would love to see someone come up with an anti-Royal argument that doesn't boil down to "I like shiny new objects!"

Truth his, he hasn't had much to work with and has (seemingly) done an "ok" job, but we all just want someone who can work miracles, and they are out there.

[rpfc 27,591]

RP, I'll bite (as expected).

Have a look at Royal's resume. As an Assistant Coach, he is been involved with Melbourne, Western Bulldogs, Richmond and St Kilda. The only team he has been associated with that went close to winning a flag was St Kilda (they drew the year he was there), who he was with for 1 season.

My concern with Royal is that he has been involved in the game a long time, and has never been involved in a premiership. While he's not on his own there, the game has changed a lot in recent years, and I'm just not sure if he's "fresh" enough with his ideas.

This is obviously a totally uneducated personal opinion, but that's how I feel. BTW, I'm not obsessed with "shiny and new objects", I just think we could do better than him as our midfield coach.

We are not the ones to judge that though, are we?

I don't mind a bit of 'old school' when it comes to the midfield. We need toughness and application, and if the club feel that Royal can bring that out in the boys then great.

And as for the performance of the midfield - another 'argument' for getting rid of Royal - look at what he has to work with: Jones, Grimes, McKenzie, Viney, Sylvia, and Magner/Rodan would be top 6 midfielders right now.

That is not a great group...

[The Chazz 4,077]

We are not the ones to judge that though, are we?

I don't mind a bit of 'old school' when it comes to the midfield. We need toughness and application, and if the club feel that Royal can bring that out in the boys then great.

And as for the performance of the midfield - another 'argument' for getting rid of Royal - look at what he has to work with: Jones, Grimes, McKenzie, Viney, Sylvia, and Magner/Rodan would be top 6 midfielders right now.

That is not a great group...

As I said, it's my opinion based on no "inside" knowledge, and of course the Club and the people running it are in a better position than I.

I'm not in such a hurry to look at what he's got to work with. One thing that I find inexcusable is the minimal amount of support around the stoppages our players receive, especially those being tagged heavily (ie Flash). We don't work for each other off the ball anywhere near enough. You don't need talent to do that. This in my view has to do with the way we set up at stoppages, which I would put some blame on the midfield coach.

[Moonshadow 16,347]

Apart from his lack of premiership experience (which Neeld loves, incidentally), can someone tell me exactly what role Choco has had in his assist coaching career at various clubs and what the views were about his success in those roles?

I know that he is our current midfield coach and hasn't had a lot to work with, nor had a lot of success. Wasn't he our back line assist coach at some point?

I'm trying to gauge what he's done, what success he's had, and what role he is best suited to at MFC, if any.

I believe his contract runs to the end of this season.

I'd be disappointed to see any of the core group leave, partic Craig, Misso, Brown, Rawlings..... and of course Neeld.

Incidentally, what are people's views on Josh Mahoney's performance?

[Ron Burgundy 8,584]

I really hope Neeld, Misson, Craig, Brown and Rawlings will be long term coaches at the MFC.

In fact, I reckon this coaching group is as good as virtually any other in the league.

[Demonsterative 2,038]

I think Royal's contract was up a the end of last years season. Not sure how long this new contract goes for. I love shiny new things (cars, tools etc) but Royal is dispensable IMO. The only player he can hang his hat on is Jones. But the way I see it, Jones is the perfect proto type for the Neeld way of doing things. Jones has the fitness, strength courage to play the game and he now has a simple game plan to guide him and he no longer tries to do too much and dosnt get confused.

Trengove has gone backwards. He had Gysberts and was unable to improve his strength, attitude and fitness (Gys can play if he the dedication of a Scully). Grimes last year was ok, but he was always injured so you cant judge Royal on the captain. McKenzie is good at what he does but is woeful in his offensive game and disposal. Sylvia has not made the grade into a midfielder. Bate was another failure. Davey has under performed. When he went through the midfield his role was to gather easy kicks and use his excellent foot skils. I never really saw Davey use his speed often enough to break away from packs.

I think the club has had numerous top 20 draftees recdently that were seen as midfielders and only Jones has made his mark. I dont agree with the argument he has had nothing to work with. He has had many players who have not developed, and I dont see the midfield group playing as a team either.

[McQueen 17,864]

I can only assume Royal is doing his job to a standard that Neeld accepts.

We need to remember that all an assistant coach can offer to the head coach is ideas. Ideas that may or may not be acted upon. Apart from that he helps execute the head coaches strategy. If it's not being done properly then I'm pretty certain he would managed just like any other employee needs to be within a high performance team.

Coaches and players all seem to be on the same page at long last. I was once sceptical of Royals coaching acumen but that's opinion's changing. He's a no-sh!t person and we know that that's a quality the head coach appreciates and needs to carry out the culture shift within the club.

[Demonsterative 2,038]

Assistant Coaches are very important. Ratten turned around an under performing midfield into a very good unit in one year at the club. I would love to see Cameron Ling prized away from commentary into our midfield coach next year. He is a smart likable person who knows how to lead men.

[rpfc 27,591]

I think Royal's contract was up a the end of last years season. Not sure how long this new contract goes for. I love shiny new things (cars, tools etc) but Royal is dispensable IMO. The only player he can hang his hat on is Jones. But the way I see it, Jones is the perfect proto type for the Neeld way of doing things. Jones has the fitness, strength courage to play the game and he now has a simple game plan to guide him and he no longer tries to do too much and dosnt get confused.

Trengove has gone backwards. He had Gysberts and was unable to improve his strength, attitude and fitness (Gys can play if he the dedication of a Scully). Grimes last year was ok, but he was always injured so you cant judge Royal on the captain. McKenzie is good at what he does but is woeful in his offensive game and disposal. Sylvia has not made the grade into a midfielder. Bate was another failure. Davey has under performed. When he went through the midfield his role was to gather easy kicks and use his excellent foot skils. I never really saw Davey use his speed often enough to break away from packs.

I think the club has had numerous top 20 draftees recdently that were seen as midfielders and only Jones has made his mark. I dont agree with the argument he has had nothing to work with. He has had many players who have not developed, and I dont see the midfield group playing as a team either.

They haven't developed, or they are/were not talented enough?

Trengove was injured in the last PS and has been again. Gysberts didn't do the work to keep him on the list. Bate didn't have the body for the midfield.

I don't see how Royal has to perform miracles to keep his job.

Davey has gone from injury to massive form slump over the last two years. McKenzie has his shortcomings and needs to either alter his game or drastically improve his decision making. These two are in the scope of Royal and I hope he can help them get over injury the way Grimes has, and improve decision making the way Jones has - respectively. Both Jones and Grimes had career best years in the midfield under Royal.

As for the Top 20 Picks of Failure, what percentage is recruiting and what percentage is bad development?

Morton, Maric, Grimes, Watts, Strauss, Blease, Trengove, HWFUA, Gysberts, Tapscott, Toumpas, Viney, and Hogan are first round picks from 2007 onwards.

Morton, Maric, and Gysberts were not good enough, Watts, Strauss, and Hogan don't play in the midfield, and HWFUA left. It's too early for Toumpas and Viney to judge how we failed them...

I would say that Grimes, Blease, Trengove, and Tapscott represents the most cursed group of frontline midfield recruits in the history of the AFL ever. They have had back, foot, knee, and hip injuries.

This is what Royal has had to work with and they are not doing too badly.

All, awful things, considered.

[Demonsterative 2,038]

I dont see the midfield working as a co-hesive unit RPFC. And, we can go down the bad recruitment vs bad development issue, but its been done to death.

The midfield has been our achilles heel for years and Royal has had enough time to work some level of magic.

One other point, Neeld has mentioned our lack of run and spread thruoghout 2012. In 3 games in the NAB, this has not improved well enough IMO. We have recruited some very good midfield prospect this year and we cannot afford to stuff this up, again

[GM11 695]

An assistant coach implements what the senior coach wants.

If he doesn't, he gets moved on.

If he's still there, he must be doing his job.

[rpfc 27,591]

I dont see the midfield working as a co-hesive unit RPFC. And, we can go down the bad recruitment vs bad development issue, but its been done to death.

The midfield has been our achilles heel for years and Royal has had enough time to work some level of magic.

One other point, Neeld has mentioned our lack of run and spread thruoghout 2012. In 3 games in the NAB, this has not improved well enough IMO. We have recruited some very good midfield prospect this year and we cannot afford to stuff this up, again

You are the one that brought it up: 'We have all these top 20 picks and Royal hasn't done anything win them.'

I say, well, no we have 4 and only Tapscott has not shown much and they have all been derailed by injury.

[hoopla 418]

I am afraid I struggle to understand why the majority of Demonlanders have concluded that Royal is no good. He doesn't come over particularly well in media interviews - but that doesn't mean he can't coach. Our midfield struggled last year - but so did our forwards - and so did our backs. Of the 3 coaches - Royal probably hd the weakest cattle relative to the rest of the competition.

Royal is a career coach .He was considered critical the emergence of the Bulldogs under Wallace - and was considered unlucky ( perhaps because of his lucklustre media work) not to pick up senior job. He coached the Saints midfield into two Grand Finals. With his track record as a senior assistant coach, he may be Neeld's most valuable off-sider. No premiership ..... but a clear association with clubs.that got the absolute maximum out of their midfield groups. How many would he have won if he hadn't coached against Swan, Pendlebury and Thomas or Ablett Bartel Ling and Selwood.THe list goes on..........

Now I 'm not saying that he is critical to our coaching structure - but equally reading through this thread I haven't seen any evidence to support the proposition that he is not up to it . As with rpfc, "I would love to see someone come up with an anti-Royal argument that doesn't boil down to "I like shiny new objects!""

[rjay 23,970]

I dont see the midfield working as a co-hesive unit RPFC. And, we can go down the bad recruitment vs bad development issue, but its been done to death.

The midfield has been our achilles heel for years and Royal has had enough time to work some level of magic.

One other point, Neeld has mentioned our lack of run and spread thruoghout 2012. In 3 games in the NAB, this has not improved well enough IMO. We have recruited some very good midfield prospect this year and we cannot afford to stuff this up, again

We haven't seen the midfield group working as a whole this year, just trialling different players at the moment. Let's make a judgement call during the season proper. Some of our previous offenders have gone and I would expect to see development with others but let's wait and see.

[nutbean 8,837]

My issue with potting any assistant coach is the only person qualified to judge would be Neeld.

If we want to base Royals worthiness purely against the result of his little area where he has been coaching we need to ditch Rawlings and Brown and ALL assistant coaches under Bailey.

To those saying he has had long enough to work some magic on players have got it 100% right - it would take magic to get some of midfielders mentioned performing.

If Neeld moves on assistant or keeps them is my indication if they are doing the job required.

[Demonsterative 2,038]

We haven't seen the midfield group working as a whole this year, just trialling different players at the moment. Let's make a judgement call during the season proper. Some of our previous offenders have gone and I would expect to see development with others but let's wait and see.

I hope there is a change this season Rjay. I was surprised Royal wasn't given the boot at the end of last season, so it does indicate Neeld sees something in his abilities.

Also, I wasn't baseing any of my arguments/concerns on 2013. All my concerns come from seasons past.

Having said that, Neeld sees some value in Royal but the jury is still out if Neeld can perform as a head coach. Yes the club has turned its training regime around. The culture is improving and the club is a much more proffessional unit, comparing it to other clubs. But I think Misson and Craig have had a massive say in these improvement.

I have said in other threads that I am sick of watching my club and only looking at potential. I watch a game and look for our youth to see the potential coming through. As they grow older and do not perform, I switch my focus on the newer recruits. I want to cheer the out put of players. I want Trengove dominating. I want to see McKenzie nulifying Ablett, yet gathering 30 possesions that hurt the opposition. I want Jones to perform at the same level year in year out. I want to see Blease play a Jetta type role on the wing. I want to see Nicholson wearing down his opponent and kicking goals in the 4 quarter. ETC ETC

I'm sick of looking at our board and FD and looking at the changes they make. I'm sick of hearing the club has increased it FD funds but not seeing it transfer out on the ground.

The fact is that under Royal the midfield is still 3rd world. He has been the midfield coach for a while. I expect to see our midfield develop and I'm yet to see that. I dont blame Royal 100%, and yes there are other factors, but be it a 1st round draftee, or a rookie, or many injures. Improvement is minimal compared to other clubs.

I'm not really interested in shiny new coaches, and I'm not interested in rusting old coaches either. RPFC wants an argument why to get rid of Royal and some have made relevant points. I would like to hear an argument on why he should be kept. I dont care what he has done at other clubs. The argument needs to be with what he has done at our club.