Coaching decision to be made tomorrow night, announcement early next week

[Rogue 585]

If it's an unknown, .lets trust the process.

G.Lyon won't sign off on a dud IMO. I'd be happy with another smart coach like Clarkson.

Hang on, didn't he employ Hardwick?

Totally agree.

[brey9186 102]

hows this

we all think bailey is going to be a good coach, has been with port adelaide for a few years before that, he was with essendon during their up-time around 2000

we all think kevin sheedy still has what it takes, maybe not for long, but can still add something to our club on field, and could change things dramatically for us off-field

we are all a little turned off from chris connolly, not as a person, but his limited success at freo with the list they had, but think he is agreat guy, and has red and blue blood, so would be someone to have a around the club

Make Kevin Sheedy the coach, give him a 3 year contract (given his law of averages, he is due for another grand final appearance and win in this time frame)

Install Chris Connolly as the Football Manager - Knows the football business, is a MFC man, and a good media performer, and from all reports gets along very well with the playing group

then

Give Bailey an assistant's role under Sheedy (have worked together before) and in the 3 years Sheedy is head coach, Bailey still gets an input into the list, playing style ect that he can take over from when Sheedy is ready to go!

or to good to be true?

[warren dean 193]

What's so smart about Clarkson? He inherited a crappy list in a great draft position, traded a couple of hacks for a few more draft picks, spent two years at or near the bottom and then made the finals this year. Footy history is littered with these stories - three of the more recent ones are Schwab at Hawthorn, Frawley at Richmond and Connolly at Freo. They all had middling starts, all got to prelims at various stages and soon after it fell apart. I don't see anything much at Hawthorn that makes me think they're going to win the flag this year or next, or even the year after. If, as supporters all you are happy with is a "smart" coach who can get you to the finals we should have stuck with ND. His 6 finals in 9 years is a hell of a lot better than most coaches!

Clarkson has benefitted from a very astute recruiting team, led by Chris Pelchen, and the club have made some good draft choices and known the right time to trade players. The jury is still very much out on Clarkson. We want somebody who we know will build an ongoing culture of success. Sheedy doesn't necessarily need to win as a flag, but set us on the path, much the same as Len Smith at Richmond before Hafey arrived. In that time he will build a club. We don't have time to be frigging around trying to break in a new, untried coach. I fear this club is whithering on the vine atm. We went down the untried coaching path with ND and it was moderately successful - we can no longer afford moderate success - we don't have the time!

[Demon15 0]

Install Chris Connolly as the Football Manager - Knows the football business, is a MFC man, and a good media performer, and from all reports gets along very well with the playing group

then

Give Bailey an assistant's role under Sheedy (have worked together before) and in the 3 years Sheedy is head coach, Bailey still gets an input into the list, playing style ect that he can take over from when Sheedy is ready to go!

or to good to be true?

[QueenC 74]

or to good to be true?

Maybe, but it could be a very good thing to happen, if it did !!!

[s-t-i-n-g-a 439]

Install Chris Connolly as the Football Manager - Knows the football business, is a MFC man, and a good media performer, and from all reports gets along very well with the playing group

then

Give Bailey an assistant's role under Sheedy (have worked together before) and in the 3 years Sheedy is head coach, Bailey still gets an input into the list, playing style ect that he can take over from when Sheedy is ready to go!

or to good to be true?

Not as stupid as it sounds - in fact an excellent idea dealing with 2-3 issues at once with quality people.

Left field? - Probably.

This is of course, assuming Bailey and Connolly would be interested in such a position.

[Demon15 0]

What's so smart about Clarkson? He inherited a crappy list in a great draft position, traded a couple of hacks for a few more draft picks, spent two years at or near the bottom and then made the finals this year. Footy history is littered with these stories

Sheedy doesn't necessarily need to win as a flag, but set us on the path,

Your and many others here are suffering from the Messiah complex.

Forget it. I saw it in 1981 with Barassi. And yes I was at the western Oval for the only win for the season. Great 5 year plan that was - not!

What in God's name does putting us on the right path mean.

If they go the marketing appointment, theyr'e kidding themselves.

The 5 year media dollars gives struggling clubs a chance to get organised.

Iv'e seen the second coming before- not interested thanks.

It only ends in tears.

[Gorgoroth 12,920]

Exactly, I'm not sure people would want a lesser job at the club they applied for the senior coaching role

[demonique 314]

does anyone on these forums not mind if Chris Connolly is appointed as the Demons coach?

And what are your reasons for not liking him and what are your reasons for liking him?

I am sure he is a nice fellow, but he is a proven failure as a coach at Freo, should have done a hell of a lot better with the list that he has had for the past 2or 3 years.

[DV8 2,271]

I hope that our new coach has been told of his successfull application to coach the DEES by now & is having some behind the scenes input into this weekends game structure on sunday. B)

[Demons 32 235]

I hope that our new coach has been told of his successfull application to coach the DEES by now & is having some behind the scenes input into this weekends game structure on sunday. B)

Id imagine not.

If it isn't Riley then it won't happen.

Id say we should know earlier than Monday. Its a nice idea to keep it secret over the weekend but these things seem to have a way of leaking out.

Excited to see Garry Lyons sweaty upper lip tonight when they get on his case.

He definately knows something this time.

[beelzebub 23,313]

actually... he might not.

As the club seems to be following a distinct agenda here it has only used Garry in an advisory capacity He is not privvy or part of the actual decision itself. If he does know its only hapnestance, not design.

Given his postion in media etc I think they wil have wanted to spare him the occasion of being put on the spot. He cant say what he doesnt know !!

[Gorgoroth 12,920]

Chances are that all handed in there selection and would not know who the other guys went for, so gary probably does not know who bruke schwab etc ranked highest.

[Demondeb 8]

I think the worst mistake that the MFC can make would be to appoint Connolly. He has no proven record and has had a very good list a Freo and could get them deep in the Finals during his time there. He could do the same thing with Melbourne and no-one wants another few mediocre years.

I would basically be happy with anyone except for Connolly. I would even have faith in Riley if he for some reason got the gig as you can't take these performances as a good reflection on his coaching abitlity as the players would still be playing the Daniher style when under pressure and let's face it, that's pretty much all the time at the moment as our foot/hand skills are the worst I have seen at MFC in a long time. We have at least 10 Paul Hopgoods running around each week.

I thought one of the criteria was that there had to be some premiership success - in which case Connolly wouldnt be there in top 2 let alone in top 5 which he is. I met him a few times when he played for us and he is a top guy but not the one for coach. We need someone who is tough and hard and will not put up with any crap. It has to be "earn your spot or Beach Road" and with no exceptions. This leads me to think that it would be from Sheedy, Hardwick or Bailey.. I see Bailey is tipped to be the man and although I know little of him, he is coming with some strong endorsements. I am not expecting to be Premier in 08 but a top 8 spot would be on the cards with a fit and healthy playing group. I expected what we had would get us top 4 this year but alas injuries have dealt the club a cruel blow.

I await the annoucement with some trepidation but will support my beloved Demons no matter what.... Bring on season 08!!