Craig Jennings Gone at Seasons End

[billyblanks29 184]

15 minutes ago, Sir Why You Little said:

Yes i heard a slab of that segment. Sure sounds like he knows his stuff. 

Amazing that he sat in our coaches box all of 2019. 

What really happened this year in the inner sanctums of the MFC?

You'd think Goody would want to implement his own ideas and not all of Jennings. So its likely Goody only actions half of what Jennings recommended. You'd think a senior coach would want to own the strategy so maybe that caused friction.

[billyblanks29 184]

1 minute ago, AshleyH30 said:

Do people fail to realise that Craig wasn't at the Bulldogs when they won their premiership? They sacked him the year before. I don't know why people don't discuss this further. Every time his name has been mentioned this year, the first thought I've had is why did the Bullies get rid of him if he's such a Guru that everyone keeps saying?

Yeah strange. That's a good point. Seems he was a fanboy of Beveridge but maybe offered little other than some wacky names for things.

[Sir Why You Little 37,120]

13 minutes ago, billyblanks29 said:

You'd think Goody would want to implement his own ideas and not all of Jennings. So its likely Goody only actions half of what Jennings recommended. You'd think a senior coach would want to own the strategy so maybe that caused friction.

But that sort of thing can be worked out in a single 30 minute meeting. 

Why was this club in free fall plummet all year, beginning on Preliminary Final day last year?

seems to me all departments were in disconnect, why?

why did they stay that way for so long?

are they still fractured? We know so little 

[La Dee-vina Comedia 16,906]

41 minutes ago, AshleyH30 said:

Do people fail to realise that Craig wasn't at the Bulldogs when they won their premiership? They sacked him the year before. I don't know why people don't discuss this further. Every time his name has been mentioned this year, the first thought I've had is why did the Bullies get rid of him if he's such a Guru that everyone keeps saying?

Can you confirm he was "sacked". I have no recllection of his movements, but didn't he join us at about that time, so is it possible he chose to leave to come to us? 

[Demon Dynasty 17,109]

One stat i thought interesting was kicking the first 3 to 4 goals you win approx 75% of matches. 

Something that's frustrated me as much as any issue over the decades are our far too common sluggish starts.  Getting behind by 5 to 6 is also not unusual ?

 

[Sir Why You Little 37,120]

5 minutes ago, Rusty Nails said:

One stat i thought interesting was kicking the first 3 to 4 goals you win approx 75% of matches. 

Something that's frustrated me as much as any issue over the decades are our far too common sluggish starts.  Getting behind by 5 to 6 is also not unusual ?

 

Yep. Thought the same. Under Goodwin, we have been very poor starters against any decent side. 

So why could Jennings not help address that, how hard did he try?

[AshleyH30 566]

24 minutes ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

Can you confirm he was "sacked". I have no recllection of his movements, but didn't he join us at about that time, so is it possible he chose to leave to come to us? 

He didn't join us until Goodwin was in charge, which was 2017. 2015 was his last year at the Bulldogs. As far as I can remember reading at the time, there was a sudden shift at the end of 2015 with him and Bev having a falling out about future direction.

Edit: Sorry, he did join us at the end of 2015. But he'd only ever had 1 season at the Bulldogs, which is what I found odd at the time.

Edited September 4, 2019 by AshleyH30

[rjay 25,064]

56 minutes ago, billyblanks29 said:

That aligns with his Pareto Principle analogy though, that 20% of your players account for 80% of the result.

There we go...classic.

The Pareto Princliple, what a croc that one is.

It gets wheeled out and quoted by every crack pot motivational speaker to back up a point it bares no relevance too.

[Demon Dynasty 17,109]

1 hour ago, Sir Why You Little said:

Yep. Thought the same. Under Goodwin, we have been very poor starters against any decent side. 

So why could Jennings not help address that, how hard did he try?

I was hoping Gerard might ask a few questions along those lines SW but alas.

Is probably under some sort of confidentiality agreement anyway.

 

[John Demonic 5,850]

3 hours ago, rjay said:

You know, we all have different opinions but I thought he was boring and told us nothing an engaged football person on this site wouldn't have known.

A lot of the stuff he said sounded like it came from self help books and seminars, a lot of nice words and catch phrases but no scientific evidence to back them up.

Came up with some nice new labels for game styles though.

Agreed. It came across more like a job interview with the bloke spruiking his wares. Which you'd probably want to do so you dont get left behind by the industry, given the year we've just had, and with him leaving. "Ive had 10 years experience at Essendon" - Weird flex, but ok

Edited September 4, 2019 by John Demonic

[640MD 3,426]

2 hours ago, Rusty Nails said:

One stat i thought interesting was kicking the first 3 to 4 goals you win approx 75% of matches. 

That rings true for almost any standard of football.  You don't need to win by 100 points each match    just kick more than your opponents   like averaging 4 goals a quarter or the first to 100 points     you do not lose many. 

\

And yes we give away starts  too often,    how many 1st quarters did we win this year and did we win that match ??

 

go dees           very lower case at the moment

[DeeSpencer 26,070]

3 hours ago, Rusty Nails said:

One stat i thought interesting was kicking the first 3 to 4 goals you win approx 75% of matches. 

Something that's frustrated me as much as any issue over the decades are our far too common sluggish starts.  Getting behind by 5 to 6 is also not unusual ?

 

 

2 hours ago, Sir Why You Little said:

Yep. Thought the same. Under Goodwin, we have been very poor starters against any decent side. 

So why could Jennings not help address that, how hard did he try?

Not sure how it finished out but I felt like we started well for about 15 minutes then all of a sudden the ball was on the outside more and we couldn't keep up. 

[Sir Why You Little 37,120]

1 hour ago, Rusty Nails said:

I was hoping Gerard might ask a few questions along those lines SW but alas.

Is probably under some sort of confidentiality agreement anyway.

 

Yes the MFC was hardly mentioned when i was listening. Did that change at all?

[Demon Dynasty 17,109]

38 minutes ago, Sir Why You Little said:

Yes the MFC was hardly mentioned when i was listening. Did that change at all?

Mostly at the beginning where he was asked about the exit and said he left on very good terms.  Still best mates with Goody & still staying in touch with some players who he missed.

Said the club had an off year and expects them to bounce back.

Left on good terms purely to pursue a coaching career outside.  After 15 years in the system he felt it was time even from around 6 months ago.

No mention of what went down or wrong  and how/why during the year in any sense.

[Sir Why You Little 37,120]

37 minutes ago, Rusty Nails said:

Mostly at the beginning where he was asked about the exit and said he left on very good terms.  Still best mates with Goody & still staying in touch with some players who he missed.

Said the club had an off year and expects them to bounce back.

Left on good terms purely to pursue a coaching career outside.  After 15 years in the system he felt it was time even from around 6 months ago.

No mention of what went down or wrong  and how/why during the year in any sense.

All very Happy Happy Joy Joy so far

Just an off year. 

if i had an off day my job was on the line, an off year was not even a chance!!!

[Demon Dynasty 17,109]

35 minutes ago, Sir Why You Little said:

All very Happy Happy Joy Joy so far

Just an off year. 

if i had an off day my job was on the line, an off year was not even a chance!!!

We needed to consolidate after 2018 and fell flat SW for a myriad of reasons, some reasoning and explanations already covered infinitum.

The hierarchy have gone 'all in' on Goody and the fluff pieces coming from the club are all happy happy joy joy as you say.  I suspect they will stick by their decision unless we get to a point in 2020 where there is obviously no significant  bounce and there is no choice but to act.

Until then we just need to put our faith in those up top that the hand they're holding is a ripper and not an ugly bluff.  So far they're saying it's all steady as she goes, with only some adjustments needed.  Of course very few clubs and their reps have been known to tell any porky pigs before so why would our lot be any different!

In some ways you have to ask is there any other choice than to guild the lilly a little?  After such a shocker this year we aren't exactly in a position of strength to trade our way up the ladder a few places had we finished the year off a little more respectably, say somewhere from 9th to 12th.

We have truly shot ourselves in the foot with such a mega drop off and will have to again offer substantial overs to trade in anyone required that offers decent pedigree to help with a hopeful bounce.

The appointment of Richo?  Looks handy and hopefully two heads (alternate experienced brain/voice) will help with pre-game match ups, selections and possibly on game day if that's part of his gig.

There is also a little kicker there that a caretaker option is available should we find ourselves in another cocoon of horror by Rnd 10 to 12 next season.  Other than maybe Rawlings, that back up wasn't there prior.

Outside of a major change up &/or an addition to the present chaos game style required across the FD, it goes without saying that a substantial clean up of this list (way beyond the minimal cull so far) is required and a serious injection of outside talent, skills, speed and X factor needed in the next two or three trade periods to turn the club into a serious contender.

If we can score a few wins in the trade period to fill a few holes, Goody adjusts/adds to the style in the off season and Burgess can get some players to another level or back to thier previous best, who knows we might look back on 2019 as a blip.

Either way we will have an indication by the final siren Rnd 1 and a much better idea by Rnd 6 to 8 as to which way things are headed.

Edited September 4, 2019 by Rusty Nails

[Sir Why You Little 37,120]

Yes RN it certainly feels like the Club have locked down. I hope Goodwin hasn’t got the attitude that 2019 was just a “Bad Year” and 2020 will just reinvent itself. 

Good Clubs have poor quarters and readjust. You watch this happen in Finals this year. 

We lose the plot for an entire year and the Coach tells us each week to be Patient and both Captains have already bolted overseas... 

[Demon Dynasty 17,109]

1 hour ago, Sir Why You Little said:

Yes RN it certainly feels like the Club have locked down. I hope Goodwin hasn’t got the attitude that 2019 was just a “Bad Year” and 2020 will just reinvent itself. 

Good Clubs have poor quarters and readjust. You watch this happen in Finals this year. 

We lose the plot for an entire year and the Coach tells us each week to be Patient and both Captains have already bolted overseas... 

He couldn't be that silly surely SW?  The jungle drums and those around must surely have pushed back with some urgency and constructive criticism, especially at the mid season internal review?

As for the last part i agree.

Part of the issue again lies with a very suspect list that fails to place enough pressure on those up the line to maintain their spot.  They might be looking at the bottom half of the list and feeling pretty safe/comfy that a reasonable output, even if it's just most game days, will see them keep their place.

One of many dissappointing aspects of Goody's coaching this year for me was the fact that most players, including plenty of seniors, played so many ordinary matches but Goody backed them in.  Ok i get that seniors are seniors for a reason and have some credits banked.  A few have plenty!  All fine IF you eventually see a bounce within a reasonable time.  But for many, this went on for the entire season!

I realise the extent of injuries impacted normal proceedings also, but for the sake of the player's confidence, learnings and a regain of form.  And as a statement to the rest of the group, you have to eventually make a call and send a big name or two downstairs for a break, to reset and send a message to the group that enough is enough.  Actions always speak louder.

After the QB fail this should have happened with T-Mac and Gus as a bare minimum.  Viney and Jones weren't far behind them on occasions either.  This is where i disagree with co-captaincy as the coach must feel he is rusted on with another player vs one Captain only.

Anyway we can talk and pontificate  forever.   The proof of the 'turn around pudding' will be in the eating and on show for all in the first half of 2020.

Edited September 4, 2019 by Rusty Nails

[Wells 11 5,422]

1 hour ago, Sir Why You Little said:

Yes RN it certainly feels like the Club have locked down. I hope Goodwin hasn’t got the attitude that 2019 was just a “Bad Year” and 2020 will just reinvent itself. 

Good Clubs have poor quarters and readjust. You watch this happen in Finals this year. 

We lose the plot for an entire year and the Coach tells us each week to be Patient and both Captains have already bolted overseas... 

A little tough SWYL. It’s the only chance they get all year and I’d imagine a big % of players do the same. Plus getting away from the club and football is probably a necessity after the year they had. As long as they’re doing the work while away and come back in shape and sharp who cares? 

[Sir Why You Little 37,120]

9 minutes ago, Wells 11 said:

A little tough SWYL. It’s the only chance they get all year and I’d imagine a big % of players do the same. Plus getting away from the club and football is probably a necessity after the year they had. As long as they’re doing the work while away and come back in shape and sharp who cares? 

Personally i would have liked seeing our Captains watching Finals at The MCG, but i have already been attacked for that. 

This Club runs away and hides too much, learning is always on going. 

I am not saying holidays shouldn’t be had, but September pressure cannot be replicated and is certainly stronger watching live in the crowd. 

[rjay 25,064]

1 hour ago, Sir Why You Little said:

I hope Goodwin hasn’t got the attitude that 2019 was just a “Bad Year” and 2020 will just reinvent itself. 

 

21 minutes ago, Rusty Nails said:

He couldn't be that silly surely SW?

He's already said we got it wrong....by saying that he's saying a lot more than we just had a bad year.

Let's see if we can now get it right in 2020.

Admitting we made mistakes is a good first step, it's not accepting 2019 as just a "Bad Year"...

[Dee Zephyr 19,268]

Viney is on a belated honeymoon @Sir Why You Little. Now is probably the best time for the both of them to enjoy some time together. 

[Adam The God 30,403]

On 8/17/2019 at 2:48 PM, Mach5 said:

 

How is that? This master of strategy has devised one that has been consistently picked apart this season. I think he’s a fraud if anything.

We have no real way of knowing, but I wouldn't be surprised if he's kept a few of his own tricks up his sleeve if he really does want to be a senior coach one day.

He was certainly credited with being the innovator a few seasons ago with our Diamond Defence, the no wings etc. I wouldn't say the wings one worked (at all), but the Diamond Defence did for a little bit.

[Sir Why You Little 37,120]

1 hour ago, Dee Zephyr said:

Viney is on a belated honeymoon @Sir Why You Little. Now is probably the best time for the both of them to enjoy some time together. 

Yes i have seen all the ice cream shots in Rome. September is always a good time to travel. Nothing else to do

[Demon trucker 1,800]

9 hours ago, Sir Why You Little said:

Yes RN it certainly feels like the Club have locked down. I hope Goodwin hasn’t got the attitude that 2019 was just a “Bad Year” and 2020 will just reinvent itself. 

Good Clubs have poor quarters and readjust. You watch this happen in Finals this year. 

We lose the plot for an entire year and the Coach tells us each week to be Patient and both Captains have already bolted overseas... 

Collingwood had 3 bad years under bucks not having won 10 games in a year for 3 years, this myth that only MFC fall in holes is not true, they blamed a bad injury toll for 3 years, everyone agreed with that, they say it's only an excuse it's not its a reason.