TW was recruited as an excellent game day tactian, motivator and media manipulator. In fact Eade was considered for the position as he was seen in a similiar light but lacked the nouse infront of the journo's that was clearly needed to keep the 'hounds at bay'. It was common knowledge that Tiger supporters were both impatient and quick to turn on their coach which was why having media experience was essential for the position in 2004.
Terry has had little chance to show his game day ability because he has lacked the cattle to see plans through. Now that our stocks are rising and our talent more experienced we will be on a more level pegging with most other teams which will enable TW to make the difference in games. TW has shown glimpses of his coaching ability using tactics such as what he used to beat the Crows rolling flood and the Hawks Zone.
Terry is at his best when he has an opposition tactic or strategy to break down. He found a way to keep Buddy nearly goalless which other clubs have since attempted to copy. Where he may have seemed to slip up is when individual matchups have failed but this is a laymans illusion as we can not see the broader picture. If one matchup is changed then it has implications all over the ground and any game plan the coach had can be destroyed.
Our biggest weakness has been our playing stocks - what can a coach do if their is no small defender on the list who is worth a place in the team? Kingy was shown up against taller marking forwards, Bowden for playing off his direct opponent, Raines for running in straight lines out of defence and McMahon for his strength. As a coach who do you move onto a rampaging small forward when you haven't the cattle?
I believe TW has the smarts to show his expertise on game day from this point on. His ability as a tactian is probably best revealed against sides that sit around us and slightly above rather than well below or above. Against teams like Geelong which are good across the ground there is little tactics or game day coaching can do to stop them. Similarly, against weak sides it is hard to lose the game from the box.
Teams such as Hawthorn will be found out this year and drop down in the 8 because they won many games using a new defensive tactic or on individual brilliance. The tactic has now been dissected and will be found out and individual brilliance is hard to sustain. Teams such as Geelong are far more dangerous because they are so even and don't win using strategy but rather talent. Geelong wins mainly not because of Thomsons game day coaching but rather than ability of his players which is what mat073 is pointing out.
I think we will be an extremely difficult team to face over the next few years because we will have both the players and game-day coach but once again it all depends on how the club performs this year....
Stripes
