warren dean

From 02 to now it is just above the 40% mark. If you take out 06 it is over 50% for that period - remember 06 when Lloyd kicked 13 goals in the first 2 rounds and then missed the rest of the season; Hird missed 9 games and didn't complete 2 others; Fletcher missed 6? His record is still pretty good and I reckon the Bombers are not as bad as a lot of people think. He will get the job done - and his record is better than Connolly's overall.

Interesting that Schwab would join the "process" now - after Sheeds has been interviewed! Doesn't anybody else find that extraordinary? Obviously, Sheeds is being put through an entirely different "process" which means one of two things I guess - he already has the job and today is just window dressing, or he was never a chance anyway and the process was designed to install Connolly the whole time. I await the result with great interest!

Sheeds to the Demons seems to be gathering some momentum, doesn't it! On Foxtel before the Richmond-Essendon game Jedda Healy said he felt it was Sheedy and then the rest (interesting from a fairly close mate of Chris Connolly's), and Mike Sheahan, who has been on and then off the Sheeds to MFC bandwagon was back on last Friday on the Fox show Before the Bounce. Said he felt Sheeds was now the favourite and probably the right man for where the Demons are right now. Also, Malcolm Blight only coached the Crows for 3 years - for 2 flags! If Sheeds can give us 3 - 5 and build some respect around and for the place then there is no doubt he will have done his job. He isn't yet 60 (not until December) so at the end of his 5th season would be only 64! Little Johnny is planning on running the country for another three years - that would make him 71! I've been impressed with him the last few weeks - submitting to the process despite the huge emotional wrench he must be experiencing. Just goes to show how much he wants to coach!

This story entitled "***** BUSTED FOR DRUG USE" might help a bit, Condemned 84. I think there might be a bit more to it than reported here though.

Queen C, I think you are right about Miller. He is not dissimilar to Dean Wallis, except for some reason he has really toned down the aggression, perhaps to his detriment. For years Wallis was kept on the list much to the disgust of Essendon fans. He finished up a 2 time premiership player and by the time he retired was regarded by Hird as in the 5 most important players at Windy Hill. I think a bit of faith from Sheedy, if he gets the job, could make all the difference. He may well still have a significant role to play!

This blueprint is really dependent upon the appointment of the coach. Hardwick or Bailey will mean that the club sees itself in serious rebuild mode(not a premiership chance for up to 5 years) in which case, a la Hawthorn and Clarkson, everyone will be on the table for trade. If the club goes for Sheedy (or Connolly) then I think you probably won't see a lot of action on the trade front. To trade Bruce for a first round pick would mean that you would lose a genuinely good player who can make an immediate contribution for somebody who wouldn't be at their peak for about 3 years. Sheeds couldn't wait that long! I reckon our list, when up and running isn't in bad shape and is certainly good enough to play finals next year. Just a bit of luck can make a finals spot into a top 4 spot and from there anything can happen. We have quite a solid core of 24-28 year olds and it is that bracket which generally win you the big games. The only over 30's who would be certain selections next season would be Neitz, White and Junior (I think Sheedy would find room for a fit and motivated Yze). Our 22 and unders are quite strong - Bate, McLean, Jones, Sylvia, Dunn, Newton, Frawley, Petterd should play a lot of footy next year. They all have plenty of natural improvement in them. Rivers back plus better seasons with injuryfrom Trapper, Bruce, Whelan, Robbo etc and I really believe a quick rebound is a strong possibility. I don't think we can afford to bottom out, clean out and rebuild for 3 years. The Hawks did that, but I believe the jury is still out on them. History is littered with promising teams who were built from draft choices (St Kilda being the best recent example) but never went on with it. I refer you to the last 15 premiership teams. 5 are Victorian - Essendon twice, North twice and Carlton once - none rebuilt via plenty of top ten draft picks. Mainly done through astute trading. The interstate sides likewise. The Swans haven't had good picks since before Eades time but have only missed the finals a couple of times in the last 12 years. We need to consolidate our list, develop from within and have a real crack over the next year or two. If not the 70% turnover in admin staff we have had over the last 13 months may also be applied to the playing list!

Captain : Neitz or Green Vice captain:McLean, Bruce, Junior Coach:Sheeds Delisted players:Ward, CJ, Neville, Retired players:Brown, First draft pick: depends where we enter the draft but Ebert should be around at pick 4. Football manager: Mark Riley would be good if he misses out on the coaching job 07 Bluey: Junior from Jones and White. Bell to be leading up to round 13.

We have had a few good ruck coaches over the past few years, icluding Simon Madden in ND's first couple of years, Jim Stynes and Sam Newman. I really think the circle has found White out, and I wonder if Jamar is ever going to be good enough. I have seen some signs from PJ and I think he really will be able a capable forward/second ruck. In hindsight the Jolly clearance is looking less and less inspired. Guessit depends on how good Dunn turns out to be! Hopefully Sheeds might be able to lure Laycock over with him. Do supporters realise he was taken with the pick we traded for Heffernan in 02? So he really is our player anyway!!

Interesting to compare our results to those on the afl site. Shedy has a commanding lead in both but interesting to note the support for Connolly on the afl site!

You are right Jack. From the beginning of the 2002 season until this round the Bombers have played 136 games for 61 wins, 73 losses and 2 draws. If you take out the 2006 season, they have played 114 games for 58 wins, 55 losses and 1 draw. In that season Lloyd played 2 full games (for 13 goals), Fletcher missed 6 with injury, Hird missed 9 and didn't complete 2 others. Now I think it could be reasonably argued that these 3 are certainly amongst the top 4 players at Essendon (along with Lucas). I would defy any club to cope with the loss of those quality players for that period of time to do a lot better! What Sheedy should be judged on is his ability to quickly rebound - the Dons would now be in the 8 if they hadn't blown the game against Carlton earlier in the year by 3 points. That is a significant turnaround - bettered only by Geelong this year in terms of number of wins this year compared to last. He is the most influential football person of the last 30 years and has the presence to make an immediate and positive impact for us!

I still believe Sheedy is the best person for the job, and I get the sense that they will go for him or Connolly. Sheeds record since 2001 really only had the one ordinary and one terrible year (05 and 06). They were finallists in 02,03 and 04 and look like having a 50% season this year, which isn't bad after coming off 3 wins last year. When they assess the reasons why his recent record hasn't been as good as previous, they will also see that Mick Malthouse's is pretty ordinary over that time period as well. Guess which Melbourne Club has been the most successful over that period - us!Finalists in 02,04,05,06! The Pies played finals in 02,03,and 06 but had shockers in 04 and 05. None of the other Vic teams have done better. What Sheeds has managed to do is quickly rebuild without super draft picks (except last year). That will be taken into account. Lloyd missing all of last season, plus injuries to other key players will be a consideration. The fact that they lost half a dozen games by a kick with a shocking injury list will be a consideration. Of the last 15 premierships, 10 have been won by non-Victorian sides. Of the five won by Vic clubs, Sheeds has 2 of them. Pagan has 2 and the long departed Parkin has the other one. I admire the thoroughness, but I think the club would be doing itself a massive diservice to appoint anyone but Sheedy!

I sent an email to Steve Harris this morning regarding the process for the selection of the new coach. I congratulated them on their thoroughness and gave some of my own opinions, which I have outlined on this forum a few times. Within an hour, and much to my surprise, Steve sent me this reply: "Thanks the note. Is a very important decision, both in terms of team and club. Issue for any candidate, be it Sheedy or anyone else, is to look at their record (and if KS record in recent years been ard 40pc win ratio, why that the case), communications and development of younger players, capacity to work in a team environment with "we" rather than "me" ethos, empathy for sports science and innovation, capacity to build a fresh spirit/energy within the team (big priority) and club. Also weighing up the relative cost-benefits, recognising we dont just need a head coach but more resources in developoment, recruiting, technology, sports science etc etc. It's a challenge, but the process is designed to give us the best overall result. Regards Steve" Steve Harris Chief Executive Officer MELBOURNEfc Tel: 03 9652 1115 mailto:[email protected] http://www.melbournefc.com.au I was really impressed that he took the time during this incredibly busy period. I am confident that the process is in good hands and that the right decision will be made.

It has to be Sheedy! This really is a once in a life time opportunity to grab a legend. The Hardwicks, Baileys etc will always be available. Last year Longmire and Bond were all the rage, this year all the talk was about Bond, McKenna and Voss. Guess what? They will all still be available next year and some of them will still be available the year after too. Some of them will never coach at all! Sheedy is certainly, along with Matthews, the greatest coach of the last 25 years. He has all the attributes required to build the club, and I really believe that whether we win a premiership or not in the next 3 years, he will leave the club in a much better position than he finds it! This man builds clubs and dynasties. My gut tells me that Gardner is a fan - let's hope he can convince the more cautious Harris. What I love about Sheedy is that he is always looking to the next premiership - "opportunity" he calls it. He sets a vision and charts the course. Despite what people say about the current Essendon team, they are not dissimilar to Essendon of 1992, and we all know what happened in 93. He has rebuilt them quite quickly and he'll do the same for us to.

From one ol' fuddy duddy to another - absolutely agree! What would he be earning - $150,000 - $200,000 per year? I like the way he plays, but gee, he hasn't given much value for money over the last four years! Injuries I can cope with, but the trouble this bloke has landed himself in over the journey does not inspire a lot of confidence that he will turn it around. I would be sorely tempted to flick him if he doesn't change his ways!

That Bond didn't make the list is a little bit of a surprise perhaps, but I think you'll find McKenna's reputation is entirely media driven and he doesn't command particularly wide respect in the footy community. It really doesn't matter anyway. Of the shortlist, Riley is on as a courtesy (much like Greg Hutchison in 97). Bailey and Hardwick may both be looked at as longer term options and Connolly is not a chance for the coaching job, but don't be surprised if he takes over the footy managers role vacated by Fagan. I'd say the job is now Sheeds if he wants it, and from all reports he does! I think this is our best chance to finally put to rest the "curse"!

I went early, but I reckon I could be on the money!.

Says a great deal about the great man! He is desperate to get that 5th flag and I hope we give him that opportunity! I can't wait to hear what he has to say "On The Couch" tonight. G Healy has been one of the biggest advocates for bringing him to the Demons.

Sorry Sylvinator, the better teams have always had strong leadership all over the field. There is no reason why teams should have only one Captain. You would be hard pressed to argue that the leadership model of the Swans hasn't been successful. The role of Captain is important but shouldn't be overrated. I can think of a few acting captains who have led premiership teams (Tredrea, Dench, Hall). The major work is off field and sharing that around a la Hall, Kirk and Barry has been a plus for the Swans. Like all things, at the end of the day, the best person or people for the job should get it. If it is still Neitz, no dramas; if it's somebody else great. As long as I get to see them hold up the Cup at some stage I'll be happy!

Fair enough! Don't mind the idea of sticking with Neita for 1 more if the new coach believes there is nobody better. Also think multiple captains is really worth thinking about. I reckon if we go for Hardwick or Bailey we might get that model. Sheeds I think is likely to be more traditional, but may just take a punt on McLean - he has done it before with Neale Daniher!

Very interesting. I believe you are correct about this one. I heard something similar myself from a reasonable source. I am very interested that of the 2 novices - both have been coached by Sheedy. Lets just go for the Master. I think Hardwick and Bailey would be OK, but Riley and Connolly -no way! Hardwick has only worked under a novice coach as an assistant, although he did play under a couple of good ones! Bailey was a real battler as a player, and I don't know enough about his work with Port to make an informed assessment. Really, for where we areat it has to be Sheedy!

Just having a little trouble following the logic, Jaded. Why would we necessarily go for someone who is more experienced just because we see ourselves as a contender? I can think of at least 3 examples where this hasn't been the case - Neale Daniher appointed Captain of Essendon at 20 - they were definitely on the verge in 1982; Kernahan at Carlton in 1987 - his second season-he was 23 and they won the flag; Carey at North in 1993 - he was 22 and had only played 4 seasons. No reason not to give it to McLean now if he is deemed the best man for the job - he has now played 4 seasons at the top level. For mine - I don't mind the Swans model - I'd go a split between McDonald, McLean and Rivers. I think all 3 have excellent leadership capabilities.

Well Jaded, your considered and informed opinion of SEN appears to be somewhat off the mark according to Hutchy in todays Age. Apparently, both are out of the running. Go Sheeds!

A very harsh call! Francis was a fine player and also courageous. He did however have the very annoying habit of taking possession and moving back towards his own goals, and then try to break two or three tackles. Hence my comparison with Jones. Hopefully he will develop a new modus operandi under a different coach, but these habits are often difficult to break. I rate Jones extremely highly, and believe he is the first genuine old-fashioned rover I have seen since the days of Platten and Weightman, but he does need to shake this habit.

According to Hutchy in the Sunday Age today, Bond and McKenna are definitely out of the race! Apparently they have already been told. Sheedy, Connolly, Riley and Dean Bailey (another who played under Sheedy!) are those mentioned as probably being on the list of five. He doesn't mention anyone else.

No way. No tanking here. Sheedy once again proved that he is still up to it. Some brilliant moves, especially Lucas onto Whitnall in the second half, and his decision to bring more run into the side and drop the one paced Watson and Peverill was a masterstroke. Carlton tried their guts out, but Ratten was outcoached in the end by the old fox. Can't wait to have him with us next year!