Frawley laments debate timing

[mightytiges]

07 June 2004   
Herald Sun
Scott Gullan

FROM Danny Frawley's point of view, the timing of renewed debate about his coaching future could have been better.

The Tigers coach maintained yesterday he wasn't disappointed about president Clinton Casey raising fresh doubts last week about his tenure at Punt Rd.

But Frawley, who presided over yet another embarrassing Richmond loss on Saturday night, believes the continued speculation had an impact on his team's preparation.

"Not disappointed (about it), just the timing of it," Frawley said.

"It didn't help the focus of the coach and the players. The comments weren't ideal . . . but we've just got to move on."

Casey had dinner with Frawley and his wife Anita on Thursday night to discuss the board's intention to set up a review of the coaching set-up.

Frawley is out of contract at the end of the season. In an interview with the Herald Sun last week, Casey suggested the Tigers needed to look for an experienced coach to resurrect their fortunes.

Despite another poor display -- the Tigers led the Kangaroos by eight points early in the third term, but lost by 74 -- Frawley refused to admit the season was lost.

"We have to jell together as a group," he said.

"There are still 11 games to go and we are still a chance to play in the finals.

"We've got Fremantle this week and Carlton before the bye, two crucial games for us, so that is all we can focus on."

Frawley blamed a lack of leadership and the failure of his fringe players to step up for Saturday night's second-half fade out.

"The disappointing part was when the opposition kicked a couple of goals from our mistakes in the third quarter, we went back in our shells," he said.

"We've got a really good, honest leadership group off the field, but I believe when it counts we need to get our hands dirty and play more collision footy."

Frawley said his team needed more "grunt" and indicated that veteran Duncan Kellaway was likely to come in for his first game of the season.

Former Essendon premiership player Justin Blumfield is also in line for his first game.

http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,9766969%255E19771,00.html

[mightytiges]

Despite another poor display -- ... -- Frawley refused to admit the season was lost.

"We have to jell together as a group," he said.

"There are still 11 games to go and we are still a chance to play in the finals.

2 games and a massive % out plus we're getting smashed by 12 goals every second week and he's talking finals again like this time of year the previous two seasons. For heaven's sake, is their anyone facing reality down there ........... Please!

[Puntroadroar]

Danny Fraudley

needs to accept that his time is up and tell the club this will be his last season.

If he ever learnt anything from Tony shaw then this would have to be it.

Time he said farewell and played the kids no matter how much we get flogged. Then the next coach who comes in will have a good idea who is worth keeping and who isnt much like what Micky Malthouse was given.