I'm as disappointed in TW as the next supporter, but I hope he doesn't get sacked or walk.
Why?
- This would necessitate the appointment of a caretaker. The type of coaches we want to coach the RFC may not be available until Sept/Oct
- If the caretaker is not the coach for next year, then the whole caretaking/next coach transition may become a mess
- If the caretaker has some cheap success, we may be tempted to appoint them inappropriately
- We need to show the league and prospective coaches that we can handle this situation professionally. No point scaring good candidates off by handling the TW exit issue poorly
- If we are 0-8 say, TW should have an edict that he needs to pick sides for 5-10 years from now (e.g. ensuring Connors, Collins, Hughes, Vickery, Rance get some all important match time to have us more ready for next year and the seasons ahead)
In finding a new coach I'd like to see
- 3 year deal, not 5 years. 5 years is wrong on so many levels. For the first 2 years, you get "give me time." In the last few years you get dangerous top up trades (McMahon, Hislop, Thomson, Cousins, Polak) that sacrifice important opportunities to draft youngsters and sceptics may speculate that these types were secured to guide the team to finals appearances in the short term without having the ability to sustain the performanced due to lack of list depth (to be fair Morton was a great pick up)
- A coach that has league wide respect as getting honest results from a list. Focus on physical toughness and skills
- All options considered and a professional process
- I think an older head maybe the right option here, a young untried talent would be a lamb to the slaughter and may not have the strength of character to stick to the task and weather the criticism they will obviously get
- No ex RFC player. Experience of finals and GFs as a player or coach is critical. This rules out Cambo or Knighter....
- Experience in developing a young list
- Use the advent of the new coach to look beyond the Brown, Richo, Johnson, Bowden era, immediately if that be necessary
Although I personally dislike them, two current coaches of other clubs which I believe fit the mould are Williams and Malthouse. I respect the toughness and skills that they've instilled in their teams and they manage to be a bit more seamless in the way they introduce kids to senior footy. They also appear ready for a move to a new club. I'd also take a Roos, Worsfold or Craig in a heartbeat, but those guys are more one club type coaches who would be unlikely to even consider RFC.
I'd also use the opportunity to reflect on whether our team in recruitment looks how we want it. Along with the coach and current list, success of our recruiters to pick the best remains critical for our success.
So although sacking TW or him walking might feel good for a bit, handling this professionally and hiring the right replacement should be imperative. Otherwise we might end up with the next TW instead of an Eade.
Why?
- This would necessitate the appointment of a caretaker. The type of coaches we want to coach the RFC may not be available until Sept/Oct
- If the caretaker is not the coach for next year, then the whole caretaking/next coach transition may become a mess
- If the caretaker has some cheap success, we may be tempted to appoint them inappropriately
- We need to show the league and prospective coaches that we can handle this situation professionally. No point scaring good candidates off by handling the TW exit issue poorly
- If we are 0-8 say, TW should have an edict that he needs to pick sides for 5-10 years from now (e.g. ensuring Connors, Collins, Hughes, Vickery, Rance get some all important match time to have us more ready for next year and the seasons ahead)
In finding a new coach I'd like to see
- 3 year deal, not 5 years. 5 years is wrong on so many levels. For the first 2 years, you get "give me time." In the last few years you get dangerous top up trades (McMahon, Hislop, Thomson, Cousins, Polak) that sacrifice important opportunities to draft youngsters and sceptics may speculate that these types were secured to guide the team to finals appearances in the short term without having the ability to sustain the performanced due to lack of list depth (to be fair Morton was a great pick up)
- A coach that has league wide respect as getting honest results from a list. Focus on physical toughness and skills
- All options considered and a professional process
- I think an older head maybe the right option here, a young untried talent would be a lamb to the slaughter and may not have the strength of character to stick to the task and weather the criticism they will obviously get
- No ex RFC player. Experience of finals and GFs as a player or coach is critical. This rules out Cambo or Knighter....
- Experience in developing a young list
- Use the advent of the new coach to look beyond the Brown, Richo, Johnson, Bowden era, immediately if that be necessary
Although I personally dislike them, two current coaches of other clubs which I believe fit the mould are Williams and Malthouse. I respect the toughness and skills that they've instilled in their teams and they manage to be a bit more seamless in the way they introduce kids to senior footy. They also appear ready for a move to a new club. I'd also take a Roos, Worsfold or Craig in a heartbeat, but those guys are more one club type coaches who would be unlikely to even consider RFC.
I'd also use the opportunity to reflect on whether our team in recruitment looks how we want it. Along with the coach and current list, success of our recruiters to pick the best remains critical for our success.
So although sacking TW or him walking might feel good for a bit, handling this professionally and hiring the right replacement should be imperative. Otherwise we might end up with the next TW instead of an Eade.
