To Swing The Axe

[Smokey]

My club, Richmond, is renowned for sacking its coaches. Check out this list of coaches hired and fired between 1977 and 1999:

- Barry Richardson, 1977-78
- Tony Jewell, 1979-81
- Francis Bourke, 1982-83
- Mike Patterson, 1984
- Paul Sproule, 1985
- Tony Jewell, 1986-87
- Kevin Bartlett, 1988-91
- Allan Jeans, 1992
- John Northey, 1993-95
- Robert Walls, 1996-97
- Jeff Gieschen, 1997-99

That’s eleven coaches come and gone in the space of 23 years in the wake of the sacking of Tommy Hafey two years after his Tigers took the 1974 Premiership. Looking even closer, in the early to late ‘80s, they had six coaches in eight years. Looking at these numbers, it is safe to say that my club has earned its reputation of being a coach killer.

Since the axing of Jeff Gieschen in 1999, however, there seems to have been a concerted effort to get away from this philosophy. Here is the list of coaches for the past 15 years:

- Danny Frawley, 2000-04
- Terry Wallace, 2005-09 (Round 11)
- Jade Rawlings, 2009 (Interim)
- Damien Hardwick, 2010-present

Removing Jade Rawlings from the equation due to the nature of the role of the Interim Coach, that is three coaches in 15 years. That is a prolonged period of relative stability and measured decision-making. If anything, I’d say this period was a deliberate attempt to kill the culture of pulling the trigger on the coach at any hint of dissatisfaction or impatience.

Currently, the Richmond Football Club is once again suffering through a wretched season of onfield performance, and the heat is coming on the current administration like it has not done before. The inevitable question is being asked: is it time for a change of coach?

My personal view is that it is the time, but I am just a fan who only has access to what is visible to any other fan. I can watch matches, and I can read and view what is available to me through the club and the media. The real question is: will the club see it that way? And, if they do, will they have the courage to act on it?

Perhaps we need to view it not as “sacking the coach”, but rather, “choosing a new coach”.

For the first three or four years of Hardwick’s time at Richmond, the fans were repeatedly told that the coaches would get the basics drilled into the players, and slowly get them coached in the workings of his master gameplan. We were told that, once the players had fully gotten used to the gameplan, that everything would take care of itself.

This year, things have come unstuck in a rapid and surprising way. After the Round 9, 17 point loss to Melbourne, Hardwick basically conceded that he didn’t know what was wrong. Later that week, Tigers star full forward Jack Riewoldt spoke on radio stating that the gameplan had left them vulnerable.

After this week’s Round 11, 50 point capitulation to Essendon, Hardwick stated that the gameplan would have to be put on the back burner, and the players would have to get back to basics. It seems the club invested heavily in Hardwick’s gameplan, and now are having to deal with the fallout of it either being worked out by the other clubs, or the players being unable to carry it out.

Over the past two years, the club has been past, caught, or left in the wake of clubs who have changed their coach. Port Adelaide was a basket case as recently as the start of last season. They had sacked a favourite son from the role, with their list widely viewed as a laughing stock. Last year they made rapid improvements under new coach Ken Kinkley, winning a final against Collingwood and announcing themselves once again on the AFL scene.

This year they sit atop the ladder, playing the most dynamic, swift, exciting and watchable style since Geelong of 2007. Interestingly, Hinkley was a senior assistant coach at Geelong during the implementation of their gameplan, and the winning of two premierships.

Fremantle was going OK under Mark Harvey. In 2010, he had taken his side to the finals, and won one; they finished the season in 6th. The next year, his side was cruelled by injury and he was seen to do a good job in difficult circumstances to have them finish 11th.

The powers that be saw it differently, and targeted Ross Lyon, the then coach of St Kilda, to lead them from mediocrity to success. At the end of his second year, Lyon had them in the Grand Final and, if not for some bad kicking, may very well have won it.

No club, not even Richmond, has been as bad as Melbourne over the last 10 years. They have gone through coaches and draft picks like a Schoolie through tequila shots over that time. Last year they were basically rock bottom again, having sacked their coach Mark Neeld midseason, and eventually finishing 17th with two wins, above only the diabolically bad (but new) GWS Giants.

The Demons knew they had to do something big to help get them on the right course, and targeted former Sydney premiership coach, Paul Roos as their man. Roos, at the time, was comfortably embedded in his life as a media commentator, and was showing no signs of making a foray back into coaching. He knocked them back, but Melbourne would not take no for an answer. Eventually, with a great deal of determination and money on offer, they got their man.

No one is now doubting the difference he is making to the club. After a poor start to the year, the Dees are making huge strides forward. Suddenly, players who were seen as list cloggers and duds are contributing well and looking capable at the level. They are revelling in the direction being set by their coach, and the results are starting to show.

Their Round 9 win over the Tigers was their best in some years, and their Round 11 efforts against top of the ladder Port Adelaide were so encouraging the players could only take further belief in themselves from it. They are far from a finished story, but all indicators are suggesting that they will go from strength to strength.

As for the Tigers, one can’t help but wonder what will they do, and whether they will be tied to inaction on the basis of their history of failed action. The club, over their period of sacking coaches, was weak. As a result of this, the action of sacking the coach is viewed as weak.

This is not necessarily so, as I’m sure Port Adelaide fans would attest to. Perhaps we need to view it not as “sacking the coach”, but rather, “choosing a new coach”. From what I have seen of the players this year, they look like they would benefit from a new voice and a new direction.

Certainly what is happening at the club is not working. Whether the change is the coach, the support staff, the gameplan, the recruiters, or all or something else entirely is up to the club. They may well feel that he is the man, and they may well be right. I just hope they are not bound to sticking with him on the basis of failed decisions past.

Those charged with protecting the interests of a football club must always do what they think is right, and not what they think will be perceived as being right. Brendan Gale is currently that man, and as he has said many times, the club needs to be bold and strong.


About the Author
Greg Gibson

Greg Gibson is fanatical about his beloved Richmond Tigers and the Australian Cricket Team. He is a hard-hitting opening bat for the First XI at his local club but boasts a writing style that is much more friendly. Often on the bottom of the pack during the Winter months, Greg is also a passionate father and loves a bit of banter.


http://www.oneweekatatime.com.au/to-swing-the-axe/

[Chuck17]

Should this be on the sack Hardwick thread or find a new coach thread?

[Diocletian]

Good article, all salient points IMO. Been saying for a while that the whole "We always eat our own and sack our coaches" line is a myth perpetuated by the media, swallowed by the fans and not relevent to our recent history. Club's allowed it to spook them, over-compensated and become afraid to make hard decisions.

[Judge Roughneck]

Stability... Stable like a stagnation dead pond

[(•))(©™]

Club's allowed it to spook them, over-compensated and become afraid to make hard decisions.

it makes it easier for them

[Mr Magic]

After this week’s Round 11, 50 point capitulation to Essendon, Hardwick stated that the gameplan would have to be put on the back burner, and the players would have to get back to basics. It seems the club invested heavily in Hardwick’s gameplan, and now are having to deal with the fallout of it either being worked out by the other clubs, or the players being unable to carry it out.

This is the crux of it.
Jack's comments about the Hawk's game plan cut very close to the bone which is why Dimma was extremely peeed off. The truth hurt.
Hardwick has put a lot of faith in what he thinks worked at Hawthorn but that was 5 years ago now and the game changes quick.
By all accounts he was pretty pivotal as part of Clarkson's group in instigating their way of play but did Damien work better as part of a team or was he capable of being an instigator in his own right?
Basically does he have the capability as coach to adapt and change game plans as required?
At the moment it's looking like he's fired his best shot..

What's the plan B Dimma? You'd better find it pretty quick smart.

[lamington]

After this week’s Round 11, 50 point capitulation to Essendon, Hardwick stated that the gameplan would have to be put on the back burner, and the players would have to get back to basics. It seems the club invested heavily in Hardwick’s gameplan, and now are having to deal with the fallout of it either being worked out by the other clubs, or the players being unable to carry it out.

What's the plan B Dimma? You'd better find it pretty quick smart.

At least use Gordon as a tagger. Seems pretty quick and appears to have a tank to keep up with the competition's elite. Watson and Pendulbury this year have pretty much gone untagged when we played them.

If things aren't going to plan at least let Martin revert to his battering ram style like back in his first 2 seasons. There was once a time where the opposition shat themselves going against Martin (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yf1_1iIIQUU)

And FFS drop the Hammer!

[Willy]

After this week’s Round 11, 50 point capitulation to Essendon, Hardwick stated that the gameplan would have to be put on the back burner, and the players would have to get back to basics. It seems the club invested heavily in Hardwick’s gameplan, and now are having to deal with the fallout of it either being worked out by the other clubs, or the players being unable to carry it out.

This is the crux of it.
Jack's comments about the Hawk's game plan cut very close to the bone which is why Dimma was extremely peeed off. The truth hurt.
Hardwick has put a lot of faith in what he thinks worked at Hawthorn but that was 5 years ago now and the game changes quick.
By all accounts he was pretty pivotal as part of Clarkson's group in instigating their way of play but did Damien work better as part of a team or was he capable of being an instigator in his own right?
Basically does he have the capability as coach to adapt and change game plans as required?
At the moment it's looking like he's fired his best shot..

What's the plan B Dimma? You'd better find it pretty quick smart.

Astute post 

[Phillip]

You guys are football theorists!

[Judge Roughneck]

After this week’s Round 11, 50 point capitulation to Essendon, Hardwick stated that the gameplan would have to be put on the back burner, and the players would have to get back to basics. It seems the club invested heavily in Hardwick’s gameplan, and now are having to deal with the fallout of it either being worked out by the other clubs, or the players being unable to carry it out.

This is the crux of it.
Jack's comments about the Hawk's game plan cut very close to the bone which is why Dimma was extremely peeed off. The truth hurt.
Hardwick has put a lot of faith in what he thinks worked at Hawthorn but that was 5 years ago now and the game changes quick.
By all accounts he was pretty pivotal as part of Clarkson's group in instigating their way of play but did Damien work better as part of a team or was he capable of being an instigator in his own right?
Basically does he have the capability as coach to adapt and change game plans as required?
At the moment it's looking like he's fired his best shot..

What's the plan B Dimma? You'd better find it pretty quick smart.

You know how the saying goes. Five years is a long time in football

[Stripes]

After this week’s Round 11, 50 point capitulation to Essendon, Hardwick stated that the gameplan would have to be put on the back burner, and the players would have to get back to basics. It seems the club invested heavily in Hardwick’s gameplan, and now are having to deal with the fallout of it either being worked out by the other clubs, or the players being unable to carry it out.

This is the crux of it.
Jack's comments about the Hawk's game plan cut very close to the bone which is why Dimma was extremely peeed off. The truth hurt.
Hardwick has put a lot of faith in what he thinks worked at Hawthorn but that was 5 years ago now and the game changes quick.
By all accounts he was pretty pivotal as part of Clarkson's group in instigating their way of play but did Damien work better as part of a team or was he capable of being an instigator in his own right?
Basically does he have the capability as coach to adapt and change game plans as required?
At the moment it's looking like he's fired his best shot..

What's the plan B Dimma? You'd better find it pretty quick smart.

Exactly my thoughts too 

[Mr Magic]

You know how the saying goes. Five years is a long time in football

 

[Phillip]