No10

Your mail comes across a little flimsy. That 5 year coaching offer to Bevo seemed fanciful. It feels a bit like you’re conflating two things on this one; going home and the opportunity for a position a player most wants. I guess you’re saying they’re unsettled. Fair enough. Rivers looks content to me. I only see him departing if the club wish to include him in a specific trade, possible. Judd however is more of a mystery. I’m thinking he wants to hear from the coach before locking in. And I’d highly respect that, it shows his personal ambition to expect the most out of himself which has been a bit of a trademark.

Doesn’t want to be overlooked twice? I appreciate the process but it might be time to just get it done with Buckley.

You have impressive football history knowledge, but I'm not sure you're being fair here. I don't believe there was even a centre square in the 50s. Perhaps Goodwin (Goodwin's coaching team) had some inspiration, everything usually does, but saying that wasn't a unique design seems a bit disingenuous. Probably wasn't his most significant influence on the game, but it was nice to watch.

Probably. It was great to watch. Others speak better of Goodwin than me, but he was/is an incredibly dedicated student of the game and his style of play, contested pressure, was copied and successful until it was dismantled by speed and precision.

Sure. He lined up the half forwards on the half back line and ran them through the centre bounce. That was exciting and brilliant, ironically ruined by 666. He clearly had strengths, what did you think he did well if not technical systems?

Agree with your summation, mostly. Except Goodwin, for all his faults, was a good technician. He has multiple innovations in the game that are attributable to him. The problem imo was that he throttled the player's natural abilities to fit his system. An assistant will come with their innovations and systems, but that wasn't lacking with Goodwin. I see the board choosing Buckley for the reason alone that he'd lean more into each player and their gifts, Geelong do this well. His media ability is the other major positive and a change from Goodwin - a strong voice and a more mature Buckley second time around is a brand the club needs. As you said, he's been mucking around on Best on Ground and spending time with Whateley. If anyone thinks the man is not desperate to coach, and desperate to coach us, they're either insane or have an agenda.

I would be shocked. I have no intel except what's already known and that suggests he wants it, badly. Only way he exits now is if the club is underwhelmed by his presentation... This, I could believe

Do you mean a 5 year offer coaching us? No chance that’s right. Interesting though if he interviews, do current/contracted coaches take those meetings?

I felt like Kosi was the wildcard choice, he’s not a great speaker but might grow into it. Something a bit unhinged to the idea of a Disco Captain / Kosi Vice. Very un-Melbourne… in the best way.

Any coach worth their salt would back themselves to get Trac and Clarry flying. Then they have the gift that is Kosi. Gus will be handled no doubt. And that 2027 handover timing is perfect, as you pointed out. With the cap increasing year on year. It’s a great list and greatest historic club. Training facilities are an issue, though there’s potentially a solution to present here too. Not so sure on Bucks now, interested who becomes the next hot name discussed.

Our contracts seem well managed. If it hasn’t happened already, I expect one call to AFL HQ from the CEO will make Gus’ payments quietly disappear from the cap. It bothered me when Bucks said that because it lacked mature intellect. You’d never hear Roos speak that way, he can always explain his thinking in a way that is honest and insightful. Initially I was anti-Bucks, then swapped to all for Bucks… now I’m wavering again.

Is your last name Green, Smith or Richardson by chance?

Don’t think he’d be a good fit for Carlton, switching Voss to Bucks doesn’t work. Too similar. And if a Tassie expansion team was the other option for the next decade of his life, I suspect he’d be begging the MFC rn.

I think you’re vastly overestimating his options. His media roles are mostly mind numbing for anyone with ambitions to coach or fill an executive role. Bucks is desperate for the job, if he wasn’t then we wouldn’t waste our time.

I think the relevant point is not if they won first time around, just succeeded round two. Allan Jeans is a legend from his second turn. Malcom Blight had more success second tenure. Barassi took North from dead last to a premiership in two years. There are a few examples. I've come around on Bucks, originally preferred Enright or another assistant but what's needed most is leadership and authority. Bucks has a window with players like Trac and Gawn to deliver. If not, then we're rebuilding and those assistants will mostly still be available.

See greater intent

Gawn credits Stafford as his most impactful coach. Given Gawn’s status, maybe he’s better than we think here in Demonland?

Seems an awkward idea.

For the coach it’s a minor factor. For the players, much bigger. It’s a huge problem, no doubt. The board will present the coach a vision of Caulfield in four or five years, which would be halfway through a successful term. Not as big an issue for a coach. Almost an appealing proposition actually.

I was against Buckley at first. But I imagine he’d be coaching for his life and have something to prove. He’s at a completely different stage now, more authority and a better perspective on the game. He’s fast becoming my top choice. Though Enright still holds that for me.

I don’t like the veteran coaching mentor role. It undermines the coach who needs to step up and do the job.

Buckley? Caroline Wilson has completely lost her touch. I hope Enright. Realistically, he’s two years away from being great. But then so is the squad.

They’re actually better examples than I could think of… My wife is a Geel supporter (I know, it’s horrifying) she’s convinced if Ablett stayed they would’ve won at least another flag. Grundy was a salary dump. We’ve perhaps mismanaged the potential of the players, but there’s no real indication we’ve mismanaged the contracts to force a fire sale. Judd’s a good call as it was a midfielder for a power forward. And it was a painful loss at the time for WC. Nice comparison for Trac. Hogan is most like Clarry, had diminished value given the scope of his talent. Would we give May and Sparrow back for Hogan? Maybe now… I hope both stay, but I guess depends what’s on the other side of the opportunity

I might not be properly informed. But the online threats sounded fairly banal. Shouldn’t happen obv, but seemed an unserious level of stupid behaviour.

Fair points, but not sure I agree. Trac doesn’t put his body in (perhaps fair) a huge limitation if he’s going to play like Danger into his 30s. He hasn’t quite reached the extremity of his potential imo. Conversely Clarry is the player that won all our BnFs for a reason. He has a mind that pushes him to win. I’d keep both. What teams have traded their best talents in their prime years and ever worked out??