The Successor

[hardtack 10,126]

Sorry if I offended anyone with my last post, some d-bag at my work posted that. If anything else offensive is up on the forums I also apologise. I'm hunting it down now.

Not Lisa Wilkinson, was it?

[Guest]

Is starting to look that way.

Not all doom & gloom though, cos I reckon Roosy is being ultra selective and that reduces the field.

I don't view it as doom and gloom per se RB but more as an objective statement of reality. On any measure, we have chewed our own up and spat them out at a rate of knots (both players and coaches) over the last 7 years. Don't get me started on our winning percentage over that time.

However, I have faith that Roosy will start to put some solid foundations in place. As always, I'm big on results but I feel a little better about who is in charge this time around.

[H_T 2,941]

If we are looking for the best candidate, and that person isn't available in 2013, then Roos absolutely has to stay here for at least three years. There is no point in having a succession plan if Roos and the successor only work together for one season.

Because of this, I'm inclined to think that we've messed up somewhat this year. The indications from the club were that we'd sign a senior assistant coach this year. Now, the fact that we're saying we are happy to wait till 2014 to get the best available may be because we think/know Ling or someone else will be available next year. However, it may also be butt-covering, and right now I'm not sure.

I'm pretty sure your assessment of butt covering is right on. And the 2-3 years Roos is coach, must surely be 3 years now. A heir to the throne would be better off with 2 years under Roos.

Makes for ongoing criticism fo the succession plan at Melbourne for some time anyway.

As if we needed it...

Or......cunning and deliberate ploy orchestrated by PJ to push Roos to 3 years in the job.

Edited October 15, 2013 by H_T

[Lucifers Hero 36,983]

My guess is that Roos took the 2+1 option as an out if 1) PJ's successor is someone he can't work with or 2) some idiot (eg AS) starts to de-stablise the Board. Barring those two things my bet is Roos will take as long as it takes to find a successor ...and if those 2 things fall into place he may stay longer.

Clearly they want someone who will continue the Roos way: "You can't afford to have someone who, when their turn comes, wants to turn things upside down..." said PJ. They both want to leave a serious legacy so hoping that PJ signs up for another term after next year.

[Spin-it-to-Goodwin-it 579]

I'm pretty sure your assessment of butt covering is right on. And the 2-3 years Roos is coach, must surely be 3 years now. A heir to the throne would be better off with 2 years under Roos.

Makes for ongoing criticism fo the succession plan at Melbourne for some time anyway.

As if we needed it...

Or......cunning and deliberate ploy orchestrated by PJ to push Roos to 3 years in the job.

Do you know if the Club or Roos holds the option on the 3rd year?

[Demon Dynasty 15,210]

The news that we can't lure a successor and the recent statement from PJ is the best news i've heard since the Roos appointment was announced.

"It’s an important decision and not one we are going to rush as a club. If we have to wait a year to find the best candidate, we are comfortable in doing so."... Peter Jackson 14 October 2013

...If there was to be a public mention of a successor and a big push so early into the Roos appointment then at the very least, this should have been the official line from day one. And, as i have argued strongly before, mention of a successor should never have been made public at all IMO, at least not until certain criteria/benchmarks/hurdles were met by Roos within the first 2 years (approx). Afterall, we did employ him to coach as well surely!!?? If he wasn't keen on doing the hard yards over 2 or 3 years (at least) then we should never have made the appointment. I'm assuming this is not the case with fingers and toes crossed and i will remain positive that Roos is in this boots and all unless proven otherwise.

This club was in a parlous state and still is. Fix the problems on the field (which will no doubt have a run off effect financially off the field as well), get the club competitive and earn some respect over at least 2 seasons (ie., show the AFL and all concerned that it wasn't a flash in the pan). THEN... start talking successor. You might also find that with that new respect and a "winning" culture, some decent candidates on offer in a year or two might be more willing to seriously consider joining us instead of staying where they are or taking up other offers. The same can be said of prospective player talent/trades who might be available in a few years time.

The following terms/quotes aren't used often because they aren't true. "Build it and they will come", "Success breeds success", "Genius is 1% talent and 99% percent hard work (Einstein).

Finally we might be getting on with focussing 110% of our attention to the massive task of making this club competitive and, in the short term, making the most of the draft period etc.

Honour before honours!!

Edited October 15, 2013 by Rusty Nails

[McQueen 17,862]

Not Lisa Wilkinson, was it?

Think it was Jennifer Coight.

[Spin-it-to-Goodwin-it 579]

Clearly they want someone who will continue the Roos way: "You can't afford to have someone who, when their turn comes, wants to turn things upside down..." said PJ.

Did PJ say that did he?...is there a link to it anywhere?

The first thing that comes to mind is what has happened at the Pies. Roos spoke about it as an example of a succession plan that has worked - I beg to differ on that one.

It seems like it has been the most UN-smoothest of transitions from Malthouse to Buckley and this is an example of what could go wrong if they don't get the chemistry right.

Edited October 15, 2013 by Roosy's Bruisers

[Lucifers Hero 36,983]

Did PJ say that did he?...is there a link to anywhere?

The first thing that comes to mind is what has happened at the Pies. Roos spoke about it as an example of a succession plan that has worked - I beg to differ on that one.

It seems like it has been the most UN-smoothest of transitions from Malthouse to Buckley that anyone could have imagined, and this is an example of what could go wrong if they don't get the chemistry right.

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/demons-will-be-patient-in-search-for-roos-successor-20131014-2vinn.html

Last paragraph

Edited October 15, 2013 by Lucifer's Hero

[nutbean 8,837]

Did PJ say that did he?...is there a link to anywhere?

The first thing that comes to mind is what has happened at the Pies. Roos spoke about it as an example of a succession plan that has worked - I beg to differ on that one.

It seems like it has been the most UN-smoothest of transitions from Malthouse to Buckley that anyone could have imagined, and this is an example of what could go wrong if they don't get the chemistry right.

The major difference with the Malthouse/Buckley transition is that reason that Buckley was selected was because they didnt want to lose him to North. Not a firm base to build a succession plan on.

[Spin-it-to-Goodwin-it 579]

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/demons-will-be-patient-in-search-for-roos-successor-20131014-2vinn.html

Last paragraph

Thanks for that.

[Spin-it-to-Goodwin-it 579]

The major difference with the Malthouse/Buckley transition is that reason that Buckley was selected was because they didnt want to lose him to North. Not a firm base to build a succession plan on.

Exactly....Eddie's love child only.

The Pies will figure that out eventually - hopefully it takes them 10 years though

Edited October 15, 2013 by Roosy's Bruisers

[Machsy 2,856]

The major difference with the Malthouse/Buckley transition is that reason that Buckley was selected was because they didnt want to lose him to North. Not a firm base to build a succession plan on.

No, the major difference is that Malthouse was an unwilling participant.

Roos will be driving the succession scheme, and that is a massive difference.

[Machsy 2,856]

As for spin, are you guys serious?

I think it's completely reasonable what has been said by PJ, Mahoney & Bartlett.

Does there always need to be a smoking gun?

[Spin-it-to-Goodwin-it 579]

As for spin, are you guys serious?

I think it's completely reasonable what has been said by PJ, Mahoney & Bartlett.

With you on that one - We don't know enough of the facts about what MFC has in mind

Admittedly, they did say the Successor was going to be announced soon which now gives the impression of having failed.

However, I am 100% believing of the uniqueness and steadfastness of Roos's position in his search for an heir - who is ever the innovator in his approach.

100% OK with that, even if it's unconventional.

[nutbean 8,837]

No, the major difference is that Malthouse was an unwilling participant.

Roos will be driving the succession scheme, and that is a massive difference.

On Malthouse - yeah, that too...

It had unhappy ending written on it from day one

[Machsy 2,856]

I think that without knowing for certain, it is highly probable that we were going to appoint Dew and he dropped us.

But who the hell expects the club to come out and confirm that?

And because they don't, it's labelled as spin?

FMD.

Melb supporters are the pits.

[RalphiusMaximus 5,993]

Am I the only person here who is relieved that Dew decided to stay a swan? Not only is he pretty inexperienced for the role Roos wanted him to play, but he always struck me as being not the sharpest knife in the drawer. Obviously I'm on the Bassett bandwagon, but that thought aside, I'd really like to see us casting the net a little wider than the guys Roos knows from Sydney.

[rufus 916]

I still have this gut feeling that one day Darren Milburn is going to be a quality senior coach. He was a no-nonsense, competitive player who seemed to carry the vibe of success. Doesn't necessarily mean he'd be a great coach, but I just have the feeling he will be one day.

Maybe he has no interest but as he is already in the system as an assistant at Adelaide I'd like to think we might make some inquiries.

[Ron Burgundy 8,584]

I had thought Bassett was as good as locked and loaded at Essendon.

Interesting that it's not yet been announced.

As an aside, who's Wellman joining next year?

[dee-luded 2,958]

I don't think it's showing us anything apart from the fact that people on here are impatient for action.

I also wouldn't think Jackson or Roos underestimate the work that needs to be done.

Let's see where we sit at the end of the trade/draft period, not at the start.

we're talking about assistant coaches turning down our overtures, for this season anyway. ling, mr simpson & Mr burns all went other ways, & dew took his desert at the family table.

not to mention players, to this point anyway.

Adams didn't want to talk to us. amongst others.

Now I know we'll turn it around over the next 10 months, but right now we are at base station zero.

[dee-luded 2,958]

Anyone else think Lenny Hayes would be a good fit for successor next year? Not just having coaching & leadership potential, but the right type of character to gel with Roosy.

I think he's in the right mold type, but maybe to soon out of the game to be put straight into a successor role. but certainly an assistant coach to start of with.

[rjay 23,867]

we're talking about assistant coaches turning down our overtures, for this season anyway. ling, mr simpson & Mr burns all went other ways, & dew took his desert at the family table.

not to mention players, to this point anyway.

Adams didn't want to talk to us. amongst others.

Now I know we'll turn it around over the next 10 months, but right now we are at base station zero.

I don't see what the big deal is. Simpson got the gig at WC, Burns was told we weren't interested, Ling is in the media and doing a day a week with North, this season he did a bit of spare time action with us and Dew decided to stay in Sydney. So Dew is probably the only one that got cold feet, it's no big deal.

You don't always get things falling your way, I think if Worsfold hadn't pulled the pin at WC then Simpson would be with us now but that's the way it goes. It's hardly him turning his back, he gets to coach 3 years earlier, thinks he is up to it and took the gig.

As for Adams, he has a relationship with Buckley and wants to get to Collingwood. At least he didn't waste our time with a Judd like sham.

Geelong must be beside themselves because Heath Shaw turned them down and last year they couldn't even get a local boy, Boak to join them. Must be on the nose at Geelong.

[rpfc 27,391]

lol at those who hate the spin - what do you want the club to do?

Every person/organisation/entity spins. It is simply a way of stating facts in a way that reflects the best for oneself. If you abolished all PR firms today, they would spring up again tomorrow with a new title and a compelling campaign against whoever abolished them...

As for the Successor Search of 2013; we came up empty.

But that's ok. That means that we are happy to admit failure rather than make a decision for its own sake.

That's progress.

[Spin-it-to-Goodwin-it 579]

I had thought Bassett was as good as locked and loaded at Essendon.

Interesting that it's not yet been announced.

As an aside, who's Wellman joining next year?

He's not joining anyone.

Going to pursue something outside football.