Jaded No More

Me to Caro

Clarry is not going anywhere anyway. We all know why he even contemplated leaving and met with Geelong. The reason is now long dead. I’m not so sure about Trac. Last year I would have said no way in hell he leaves Victoria. But I wonder how much he’s changed after going thru what he did. Maybe a fresh start with Bella, is what he wants. After all they spend a fair amount of time away in Noosa so maybe the sun and lifestyle of the Gold Coast appeals more now. He rightfully has one eye on the future, as anyone his age and having gone thru such a bad injury would have. He knows nothing is promised in the game.

He wouldn't have wasted his own time either. Preparing for these meetings is time consuming, and if you believe the media he also spent time talking to potential assistants. You don't go through this process if you are not keen. Skipworth chose to pull out before going thru a formal process. Whether he didn't want the job, or thought he was no chance so didn't want to waste his time, I am not sure. But either way, you don't waste time interviewing for jobs you don't want at this level. Especially when you are already an experienced coach who has been through the process before. He didn't need the experience.

Media staying silent on Scott’s outburst at a vision impaired journalist, and brushing Smith’s repulsive behavior towards a photographer under the rug

He could do what Clarry has done and let his manager say he’s all in, he loves the club, he’s invested and can’t wait to work under King. He’s on holidays not on the moon. If there is no truth to the noise, don’t do what you did last year, don’t let it fester, just shut it down. Do it now. Or it’ll keep coming back. And I don’t think anyone hates Trac. I’m on record as saying that the quickest way back to success is for King to get the best out of Trac and Clarry again, and that trading is the easiest option, but one fraught with danger. But you can’t get the best out of someone who isn’t invested. If he wants out, he wants out. I’m glad we tried working with him, and gave him time to heal physically and mentally. He’s had an ok season and there is loads to work with there for King. But again, you can’t keep dragging players who don’t want to be at your club. I personally hope he stays, but if he’s not 100% in, then he has to go.

We did the right thing last year keeping him to his contract and hoping we can turn things around. He was in a bad mental state post injury, and we were in a bad place off the field. 12 months on, he’s come 2nd in the B&F, and has a new CEO and new coach (coaches if you count a new midfield/ forward coaches coming in). More than that we can’t do. If he still isn’t buying what we are selling, then we need to let him go. You can’t keep him tied to the club against his wishes forever.

Fair enough. I think Buckley is a great person, but note he said standout person not standout coach 😂 He handled some of Kane’s utter garbage very well today I thought. And yes presenting well in the media is bare minimum for a good CEO. I’m more impressed that we chose King with 0 leaks. That’s good work from him in a short space of time.

Clarry isn’t the best kick, but you’d struggle to find better hands in the game. If King wants to move the ball quickly and aggressively, he will need good hands not just good kicks.

So, please tell us what he should have said to that annoyingly stupid question? During King’s presser he was asked about Buckley again (obsessed much?!), and said this isn’t Buckley it’s about King. Well handled.

Even I'm not getting out of bed for that

Dangerfield and Smith are not exactly the best ball users in the league, and they're going alright under King. In fact Smith was a total ball butcher at the Dogs.

We already need 2 new assistants. Jones was not the sole midfield coach, and I highly highly doubt he will become one in 2026. We need a midfield coach (Jones will work with/under them), and development coach, and now a defense (or forward coach depending on if Chappy returns to coach the backline). My guess is Chaplin stays as he's contracted, and would be a valuable asset to King, having spent loads of time with the list. Selwyn also remains, but Guerra mentions the growth in the soft cap, so it's possible we bring in additional resources into the fitness department, or perhaps in the strategy space.

So King will now be bringing in his own midfield coach (assuming Jones will remain part of the midfield coaching group still), a development coach, and a forward/defense coach depending on if Chappy stays with the forwards or goes back to coaching the backline. That's 3 of your top 4 coaches, which is great. Means he can bring his own people, while keeping a couple of familiar faces for the group. If he can steal Kelly from Geelong that would be ace 😁

Like how Morris made up a whole lie about Trac's impassionate speech to the playing group after a win this year? Worked out really well that one

I reckon JVR and Kentfield will have breakout season in 2026. Super interested to see where he plays Petty.