Rawlings thriving in top job: JacksonEmma Quayle | July 26, 2009
RICHMOND midfielder Daniel Jackson considers Jade Rawlings a certain contender for the full-time coaching job.
Jackson, who has thrived in the midfield this season and was recently promoted to the Tigers' leadership group, said Rawlings had made a big impression on the players with his accessibility and truthful approach.
"I think he'd have to be a contender," Jackson told The Sunday Age.
"His difficulty is a lot of people will analyse his performance in the second half of the season, when things are sort of in his control but at the same time not. He took over a list where guys were injured or not playing well and he's had to work with that; he hasn't had the summer to prepare a team.
"He knows the guys really well and he's very approachable and honest, which I think are two critical things as a coach or a leader. It's important that people aren't afraid of you and it's better to be honest than just throw people what they want to hear.
"I think he's done a fantastic job and if we can win a few games coming home that will put him in good stead, because he has been pushed to the back and people haven't talked about him too much. I think he's great, but we've learnt our lessons with what we have to say about coaches, so we'll leave that for the board to decide."
Jackson, drafted by Richmond at No. 53 in 2003 with year 12 at Carey Grammar to complete, empathised with what Melbourne draftee Jack Watts has experienced this year in combining VCE studies with club commitments. Jackson, who played six games at the end of 2004 - skipping a match against Collingwood to play in his school's final game - said he had struggled in managing all his duties.
"I had a bit of a breakdown with it, really. I took a week off, I didn't go to school, I didn't sit my practice exams, I just said, 'Nope'. I think I just hung around at home every day, went shopping, relaxed, and I came back so much better for it," he said.
"I learnt that you can't be overly focused, you can't do everything at once and that you shouldn't stress about things that are out of your control.
"I think I learnt a lesson that not many 17-year-olds do, and I'm sure (Watts) will be fine. It will make him a stronger person later on. He just has to keep focusing on what he knows he's good at."
http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/rfnews/hes-done-a-fantastic-job/2009/07/26/1248546617265.html
