Rifts emerge between Tiger coach and some of his players
Caroline Wilson | May 20, 2009
Terry Wallace may have feared he was about to be sacked, but it was never going to happen yesterday.
TIGERLAND'S somewhat bizarre new twist yesterday on what was once cheerfully coined "Tuesdays with Terry" left no one in any doubt that the Richmond coach and some of his players had significant relationship issues.
So significant that Terry Wallace might have indicated to those close to him on Monday night that he was fearing an early and non-negotiable sacking after all.
So significant that the club chose to clear the air and plot victory against Essendon off-shore in the Port Melbourne offices of Richmond president Gary March. But not so significant that there was ever any move to sack the coach yesterday.
As a weary March declared as he departed last night's scheduled board meeting: "Terry has not been sacked. He was never sacked.
"Yesterday was all about winning games of football."
As darkness fell upon Wallace's household late yesterday the message he reportedly sent outside to the media encampment came via an amplified version of Duffy's 2008 hit: Mercy.
Opposition football teams have for years branded Richmond's playing group as selfish. The Tigers themselves are trying to shake the tag, which is why Mitch Morton was dropped earlier this month. Senior players at several times have privately accused Wallace of being too selfish.
Some home truths related to the "S" word and many derogatory others were tossed around yesterday morning as the 13 players summoned tried to make sense of their season after being assured that the club would not deviate from its stated mission to complete its wide review by mid-season and reach a decision on the coach by then.
Clearly this is a team struggling for leadership and talent. Surely by the time the Tigers announce their plan to rebuild their list from the bottom up their supporters will be more than ready to accept yet another new beginning.
Chris Newman, who confronted the coach on Monday after first approaching football boss Craig Cameron, was the standout choice for captain but remains a novice undergoing a nightmare start. Wallace is a coach hanging by a thread who knows his current career will be finished soon.
However it is fair to say that yesterday's circus was created by the media and not the club. The timing of the confrontation was poor and the fact it became public unfortunate but no one can accuse the board or the administration of not sticking to its guns. March and his team will continue to be publicly flogged for their handling of the Wallace issue but then March was criticised late last season for not re-signing the coach when the Tigers finished ninth. When he speaks he is battered. When he remains silent he is pilloried.
Yesterday he did not allow his players to take over the agenda, nor did he make any attempt to hide his or the club's utter frustration at their current circumstances.
Late last year the strong impression was that March was so disenchanted by all the fallout from the Greg Miller sacking and his dispute with Wallace that he had considered walking away from the job.
Now, having given Wallace his final contracted season and holding firm, he seems more determined than ever to fight to save what remains of the once-ferocious Richmond Football Club.
http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/rfnews/rifts-emerge-at-tigerland/2009/05/19/1242498752166.html
