Why Bomber Thompson rejected coaching the Tigers (Age)

[one-eyed]

Why Thompson rejected Tigers
   
    Peter Hanlon
      The Age
    September 8, 2012

IN A classic case of Richmond sliding doors, the Tigers were about to offer Mark Thompson the coaching job in 2000, only to be rebuffed by the man who would guide Geelong to two flags because he didn't like their reputation.

Speaking to The Saturday Age about coaching in all its facets, Richmond's last premiership mentor Tony Jewell recalled being director of football when the club replaced Jeff Gieschen as coach, and the decision being taken to give Thompson the job. But when the then-North Melbourne assistant fronted senior Tiger officials, he spoke up before they could give him the news.

''He said, 'Look, if you've called me in to tell me I've got the job, I don't want it','' Jewell recalled this week. ''He said, 'I've made a few inquiries about Richmond and how it operates, and you're not my type of club'.''

The Tigers instead appointed Danny Frawley, while Thompson signed on for an 11-season, two-flag stint at Geelong. Jewell has always admired his honesty.

Another official from the time recalled thinking that Thompson was concerned that ''the Graeme Richmond way'' of ruthless administration still prevailed, that only the rat cunning survived, and he didn't consider himself that sort of person.

Jewell also recalled Carlton coach-in-waiting Mick Malthouse telling him at the end of the 1980 premiership season that he wanted to leave the Tigers to coach Footscray's reserves. ''I couldn't believe it,'' Jewell said. ''I talked him out of it. I said, 'Mate, you've got too much left, and your coaching time will come'.''

Of this Jewell was always certain. He remembers the Tigers as one of the first clubs to break the team into zones, under the direction of renowned sports pyschologist Rudi Webster, and appoint a player as ''captain'' of each group. ''Mick ran the back line and was magnificent. They just died for each other.

''Mick always wanted to be a coach. I took up coaching because I'd got married and needed some money, but he was always going to be a coach.''

Jewell is not surprised that Malthouse is about to take on a three-year commitment at the helm of a fourth club. ''A million a year aged 59? I wouldn't let it go, would you?''

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/why-thompson-rejected-tigers-20120907-25jxq.html#ixzz25nuCvLHr

[Phil Mrakov]

Bunmer Thompson is right. Would have been sacked by 2003.

[TigerTimeII]

bs ,,,, but its all history now

keeping spud and wallet for 5 yrs each was proof the club had changed its ways, both spud and wallet should have been sacked way b4 there terms finished

[Phil Mrakov]

bs ,,,, but its all history now

keeping spud and wallet for 5 yrs each was proof the club had changed its ways, both spud and wallet should have been sacked way b4 there terms finished

Bomber made the right choice. He would have been sacked at the same time as spud.

[bojangles17]

oh well its his loss , could have become a great having achieved what he did at RFC instead he is a despised individual

[Smokey]

IN A classic case of Richmond sliding doors, the Tigers were about to offer Mark Thompson the coaching job in 2000, only to be rebuffed by the man who would guide Geelong to two flags because he didn't like their reputation.

Speaking to The Saturday Age about coaching in all its facets, Richmond's last premiership mentor Tony Jewell recalled being director of football when the club replaced Jeff Gieschen as coach, and the decision being taken to give Thompson the job. But when the then-North Melbourne assistant fronted senior Tiger officials, he spoke up before they could give him the news.

''He said, 'Look, if you've called me in to tell me I've got the job, I don't want it','' Jewell recalled this week. ''He said, 'I've made a few inquiries about Richmond and how it operates, and you're not my type of club'.''

The Tigers instead appointed Danny Frawley, while Thompson signed on for an 11-season, two-flag stint at Geelong. Jewell has always admired his honesty.

Another official from the time recalled thinking that Thompson was concerned that ''the Graeme Richmond way'' of ruthless administration still prevailed, that only the rat cunning survived, and he didn't consider himself that sort of person.

Funny how history has a way of repeating itself.

"only the rat cunning survived, and he didn't consider himself that sort of person"
"Jewell has always admired his honesty"

I'll bet Geelong and Gary Jnr have a different view on the morals of the pious pr1ck after the way he left them to go back home.

[bojangles17]

IN A classic case of Richmond sliding doors, the Tigers were about to offer Mark Thompson the coaching job in 2000, only to be rebuffed by the man who would guide Geelong to two flags because he didn't like their reputation.

Speaking to The Saturday Age about coaching in all its facets, Richmond's last premiership mentor Tony Jewell recalled being director of football when the club replaced Jeff Gieschen as coach, and the decision being taken to give Thompson the job. But when the then-North Melbourne assistant fronted senior Tiger officials, he spoke up before they could give him the news.

''He said, 'Look, if you've called me in to tell me I've got the job, I don't want it','' Jewell recalled this week. ''He said, 'I've made a few inquiries about Richmond and how it operates, and you're not my type of club'.''

The Tigers instead appointed Danny Frawley, while Thompson signed on for an 11-season, two-flag stint at Geelong. Jewell has always admired his honesty.

Another official from the time recalled thinking that Thompson was concerned that ''the Graeme Richmond way'' of ruthless administration still prevailed, that only the rat cunning survived, and he didn't consider himself that sort of person.

Funny how history has a way of repeating itself.

"only the rat cunning survived, and he didn't consider himself that sort of person"
"Jewell has always admired his honesty"

I'll bet Geelong and Gary Jnr have a different view on the morals of the pious pr1ck after the way he left them to go back home.

exactly, 

[Judge Roughneck]

Wouldn't have had the 99 or 01 monster draft

[Tigeritis™©®]

Probably had a look at our recruiting department at the time and it scared the poo out of him.
History says he was completly correct in the decision he made. The club had no idea at that time and Geelong had a clear plan....and a freshly painted change room. 

[torch]

love to ask him to coach us now!

[10 FLAGS]

love to ask him to coach us now!

Paul Roos is going to be our next coach if Hardwick doesnt come up with a finals appearance next year.

[Francois Jackson]

Hardwick will be given 5 years Ramps

Next year is the decider though as we don't want to head into his final year of a contract without a top 8 finish as the pressure will be too much as seen many times before

IMO make or break next year for finals

[cub]

Whatever

[Coach]

love to ask him to coach us now!

Paul Roos is going to be our next coach if Hardwick doesnt come up with a finals appearance next year.

Campbell

[Ox]

Another official from the time recalled thinking that Thompson was concerned that ''the Graeme Richmond way'' of ruthless administration still prevailed, that only the rat cunning survived, and he didn't consider himself that sort of person.


LOL
What a cunning little rat u are,Bomba.