grazman

Absolutely, I'm not sure why people are so keen to jump at shadows.... There's a process in place and the club will choose the coach from that process, it won't be selected from public opinion or the media. Chris wouldn't be my first choice as coach, but then I don't know the full ins and outs of every applicant anyway. FWIW I think Connolly gets a bum rap in relation to Freo's under achievement and here's why. 1. There list is like 7-8 other clubs in the comp it is strong overall and has a handful of very, very good players, but has some glaring weaknesses as well. (Certainly those that were predicting that Sandilands was going to be simply too dominant and the opposition would have no answers are looking a bit silly --- their midfield is even slower than ours) 2. He was actively knifed in the back by some very senior members of the playing group on many occasions - so much so that he couldn't cut the players that he wanted. Did Chris actually want to recruit those drunken [censored] head mates Solomon and Tarrant? 3. The player discipline issue is very much in his domain, but if West Coast have shown us anything this year, it's that the culture in Perth is a nightmare for coaches to try and manage. 4. Overall his record isn't that good, but he did take a club that was nothing and basically had to start again with the list and got them to the finals. Like Jaded said I may not want him as the Senior Coach, but I'd certainly be keen to have him involved in the club in some capacity.

I wonder if in the restructure there isn't a role for him in the MFC food chain, but not as coach. I have my doubts about his coaching, but like others have stated he is a very solid individual of strong moral fibre, something that seems to be lacking a little over there in the west.

Disagree, Newton isn't Plugger and very few are... he needs to learn some lessons and even though he had a dirty night, I was happy he was having a dip and didn't stop trying - ditto Garland.

Agree Nash. It shouldn't bother me, but it does that so many people can take such contrary positions at the drop of a hat. Many are saying they want the kids blooded, that we don't want to win matches to ensure the best draft position etc. Yet when we lose.... I've been really impressed by Riley and his approach and something about his demeanour reminds me a lot of Neil Craig (who I have a tremendous amount of respect for). I'll say right here and now that tactically he appears a very good coach. I Remember that when Craig took over from Ayres that the Crows were still getting belted too until the end of the season( and they weren't missing 12 of their starting 22) I hope that if the process reveals that he is the best person to coach the Dees in 08 the board are strong enough to go with the recommendation rather than a "higher profile" coach. Jaded, I agree if we wanted to win the match then playing Robbo at Full Forward wasn't helping, but then again, maybe it was about teaching Robbo something and ensuring that at the start of 08 everybody knew what they needed to do to succeed. Newton had a dirty night as did most of the kids, but its a learning curve.

It certainly wasn't unusual for a coach to be appointed that way at the time. Matthews had his moments of thuggery, but he was also a bona fide champion... he could dish it out, but he also knew how to take it... super competitive and put the wind up many opponents with his fierce demeanour.

He's not fit, he has trouble getting one of his arms up above his head (he dislocated his shoulder earlier in the year). I'm 100% convinced he needs an op on it to get it right, he's clearly inconvenienced, but he's been one of our best. A very under rated player IMO.

He's still very young (I think a lot of us tend to forget how young) previously everything he did turned to gold, now he's on another learning curve. Injury has ruined his year and he needs to learn Scott West style how to beat a tag, he hasn't got the pace to try and do some of the things he's doing at the moment, but he'll come good.

Carroll isn't the Fullback we've been waiting for, but he's a very good option as the third tall. With Frawley and Rivers providing the smarts, he simply has to close down the less mobile/dangerous tall. I'd put Bartram and Petterd into the back half. We need a Cotchin or similar to add to the midfield ranks and some support for PJ.

I'm not trying to speak for Jaded (or anyone else), but I think the sentiment is that I will be barracking for us to win, but if we don't I will be far less disappointed than I would be normally.

There's very little room for sentimentality in footy these days., however and I know other's will disagree, but if he is going to be delisted, the MFC loses very little in giving Byron the one extra game he needs to complete a very worthy milestone (providing he earns his spot) and gains a lot more in terms of respect, not only from maybe Byron and his supporters, but by the wider footy community.

That works for me as well.... I'd love Judd, but not if it seriously cripples the rest of the list. If West Coast can't afford to pay some of their younger players coming out of contract more money, other's will swoop.

I'm pretty certain that Wheater's dislocated his shoulder earlier in the season, he is clearly inconvenienced by it and it'd be pretty short odds that he needs surgery to fix it properly. I am very, very encouraged by the article and hope that CJ gets a real opportunity to play in the ones to make an objective assessment on. Garland too if he keeps going should be given a crack in his new defensive role.

Neitz, Green, Robbo, Wheatley all played injured. Johnstone I thought was solid and Bate worked his absolute butt off all game. Poor Carroll was the only real tall and struggled to keep up with Lloyd on the lead, otherwise he did what he does well. I'm not sure what you mean about Doggy, I thought today confirmed his future.

Time to put the skipper on Ice for the rest of the year... Bell is out and Green would be doubtful, Wheatley maybe playing for his future, but is clearly favouring his shoulder. Let's hope that the younger guys take their chances this weekend for Sandy.

Not according to the Sandy Match Reports that have him regularly in their best players and refer to him often as being one of the better peformed dees... I'm interested if you watch Sandy quite regularly, because the word from others is that he goes alright, but isn't favored by Neale in the same way Juice isn't.

The following list isn't exhaustive, but it would do as a start for looking at the various criteria (note that whilst some rank coaching experience as a determining factor, it is only a factor, not the factor) 1. Communication. - needs to communicate his ideas clearly, unambiguously and succinctly 2. Decision Making - needs to react and respond to situations quickly by making confident decisions. 3. Motivation - needs to inspire the troops to go over the top one last time 4. Game Plan - must be able to develop a game plan around the strengths of a list. 5. Integrity - must be able to be trusted by those above and below (includes being fair and broad minded) 6. Professional - must engender this through example and demand 7. Self Improvement - must be constantly seeking to refine craft in themselves and others 8. Trust - must empower those given responsibilities 9. Knowledge - must know the game and the role.

Not much more than what is in the season preview guide, but both have their supporters... both have experienced premiership success Rehn as a player, Jonas as a coach and both have done apprenticeships. Peter Jonas: Assistant Coach St Kilda 2001, Sydney, 03-06, Adelaide 07, Senior Coach at Central Districts 98-00 (including their first ever premiership in 2000) Head Development coach for SANFL in 2002. Shaun Rehn: Assistant Coach Brisbane Lions 06-07, Senior Coach at West Adelaide 03-05 (including a GF appearance in his first year)

I think My list is better.: Voss, Rhen, Jonas, Ratten and Kelly O'Donnell. I agree on Connolly, McKenna has some very poor references... Lyon coached the international rules side a couple of times, but has made it clear his future is in the media and Gary O'Donnell is after a football department manager's position.... sloppy journalism IMO.... trotting out familiar names.

I agree with nearly everything you wrote... except I don't understand this... you are talking about Lindsay Thomas aren't you... I don't think he can be traded yet.....

Team Morale.... we're 2 and 9... this isn't about this year anymore it's about next year and the year after. It was clear after Friday night that there was no more that Danner's could do with this group.... What would have been stupid was to have made a decision and sat on our hands for the next ten weeks and waited.

I find this thread a little strange to say the least. I think both the club and Danners have handled the matter with maturity and dignity. I'm bemused you've chosen to use Woey as a comparative measure, It was Danner's decision to trade him in the first place.

I'm given to believe that other's believed this used to be the case, but not any longer.... I've always believed you could swap any draft pick you wanted and certainly priority picks have been traded in the past.

IN: Newton, CJ, Buckley, Dunn, Garland and Whelan. Out: Yze, Holland, Ward, Pickett, Bizzell and Godders. The last two are stiff, but it isn't about winning and losing in 07 anymore its about 08 and beyond.

Pretty sure Bruce signed on during the season.

Godder's nickname is actually Franky