Interesting article in the Guardian this morning showing that the average age of coaches in the AFL is a lot younger than in other codes and even the VFL. It mentions Gary Ayres at Port Melb, Andy Collins at Willy, and the North Ballarat coach as being potentially in their prime to coach at AFL level.

Should our succession plan involve a credentialed older coach such as this, rather than a recent player such as Kirk, Ling?

I tend to think the other way - Mick is old and delusional the same way that Sheedy and Baras went a bit loopy at the end there after all those years under the pressure. I would think a 36- 38 year old would be able to assimilate with a young player group easier than a 50+ player that has been removed from playing for so long. All about respect and player management for mine.

I tend to think the other way - Mick is old and delusional the same way that Sheedy and Baras went a bit loopy at the end there after all those years under the pressure. I would think a 36- 38 year old would be able to assimilate with a young player group easier than a 50+ player that has been removed from playing for so long. All about respect and player management for mine.

couldn't have said it better.

I think the whole model needs to be overhauled. Once again looking to the more successful sports around the world, they tend to have senior coaches who are more managers than hands-on coaches and who are often older than the average AFL coach. A few clubs in the AFL have moved in that direction with roles like Eade is playing with the Pies or Bomber Thompson was supposed to play at Essendon where a senior figure is overseeing the entire football department, but it could be fr better arranged. Yet another area where the AFL is well below the standards set by the big leagues.

I think the young coaches are a reflection of the rapid changing of the game.

If you're too old (been out of the AFL game too long) and you're not already in AFL coaching, the game has changed and you're playing a serious game of catch up.

It's a direct result of all the rules changes that have had a severe effect on how the game is played.

If the rules committee would leave the game alone and let it evolve naturally, I think the rate of change would decrease and the game could accommodate older coaches moreso.