After smashing the pies in the '80 GF Richmond were going to dominate the 80's. 82 saw us loose a GF we should have won and by the end of 83 the coach had resigned due to pressure from the playing group. It was them or the coach, so the coach left.
A bit more to it than that.
The players were walking out starting the end of 1982 and included our captain, our triple premiership wingman and our B&F from the 2 previous years.
I would have thought trying to hammer out problems by talking might be a good way to try to resolve them or at least stop them from worsening.
As to the meeting last season, has anyone got some actual facts about what was said to Wallace and who said it? Maybe something as proof that it was anything improper to back up the allegations and character assassinations?
Did wood raines and cloke all walk out because of some dissatisfaction with the coach, or was it more to do with the big money those black and white scum were offering, or a combination of both? My understanding is that the problem between Bourke and the Players was he trained them too hard. The poor Prima donnas.! I Know it's easy in hindsight, but if that was the sole, or even the main reason, then the board should have stepped in and told the softie players in question to get on their bike, backing the coach all the way. To allow the players to hold the club to ransom in such a way allows an unhealthy culture to set in in. One that sees you in the football wilderness for nearly three decades.
Your right about trying to resolve any disharmony by discussing things, as long as that does not include the players putting down some sort of ultimatium. If there is a problem with the coach, it's up to the board to recognise this and take the appropriate actions, not the players.
As for the supposed events last year, my comments were not aimed at any individual involved in that specifically, just in general that the players should not be able to force the hiring and firing of the coach. If there was any players trying to assert such an influence, we really have no knowledge or proof of such, as you say.
Hardwick will know though!