Wallace, March bury hatchet in pursuit of Tigers stability (Australian)

[one-eyed]

Wallace, March bury hatchet in pursuit of Tigers stability
Greg Denham | February 05, 2009  | The Australian
 
A TRUCE appears to have been agreed on this week between Richmond coach Terry Wallace and his president Gary March following an on-and-off spat over the past six months.

With stability prime on the minds of the powerbrokers at Punt Road, the question is whether the potential of a Ben Cousins-led revival of the Tigers will be enough to reward Wallace with a contract extension at the end of his present five-year term.

While Wallace this week refused to comment on industry talk of friction with his president, March admitted to a "strained relationship" last year.

"Last year it got out of hand a bit, but at the moment there are no issues from my side," March said. "Our relationship is as good as it's ever been.

"In four years, last year we probably had our one major disagreement," March said without singling out a specific issue among a number that appeared to fracture the club from July.

However, March this week made an emphatic "no comment" on Wallace's future beyond this season, other than to say: "There's nothing to talk about."

Last September after Richmond finished 2008 with a wet sail -- the Tigers won eight of their last 11 games, including a win over Hawthorn in round 20 -- March said Wallace's position would be reviewed in the middle of the 2009 season.

"And most likely he will be reappointed because we're heading in the right direction," he said.

Wallace, who coached the Western Bulldogs between 1996 and 2002, said he would not coach at a third club. "We've said since day one that we're happy to get to the end of five years, look each other in the eye and see whether the marriage is working and see whether we're going to move on, one way or the other," Wallace said.

Wallace inherited a basket case -- Richmond won four games in 2004 -- and in his 88 games the Tigers have won 35 and drawn twice.

In an unprecedented start to the year, Wallace is one of the AFL's seven most experienced coaches who will all come out of contract at end of the season.

The others are Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse, Geelong coach Mark Thompson, Dean Laidley (North Melbourne), Mark Williams (Port Adelaide), West Coast coach John Worsfold and Rodney Eade (Western Bulldogs).

.......
Full article at:
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25009250-5012432,00.html

[mightytiges]

However, March this week made an emphatic "no comment" on Wallace's future beyond this season, other than to say: "There's nothing to talk about."

This should have been the response last year but thankfully March is saying the right things now (ie. nothing). The media though will continue to bring up March's public comments from last year so he's just got to keep strong and keep saying "there's nothing to talk about". The fact he aired things publicly in the first place when he shouldn't have IMO would've contributed to the strain that occurred b/w him and Wallace.

[Chuck17]

This should have been the response last year but thankfully March is saying the right things now (ie. nothing). The media though will continue to bring up March's public comments from last year so he's just got to keep strong and keep saying "there's nothing to talk about". The fact he aired things publicly in the first place when he shouldn't have IMO would've contributed to the strain that occurred b/w him and Wallace.

Exactly MT couldn't have said it better myself.

Do what has to be done in private but keep it away from the media as you're just feeding the critters

[Mr Magic]

However, March this week made an emphatic "no comment" on Wallace's future beyond this season, other than to say: "There's nothing to talk about."

This should have been the response last year but thankfully March is saying the right things now (ie. nothing). The media though will continue to bring up March's public comments from last year so he's just got to keep strong and keep saying "there's nothing to talk about". The fact he aired things publicly in the first place when he shouldn't have IMO would've contributed to the strain that occurred b/w him and Wallace.

Fair comment MT.
I think the angst had as much to do with how we were traveling at the midpoint of last year as much as anything but I too am happy that March is keeping quiet publicly on Terry's situation until year's end. We need a united front if we're going to have a good season.

[Chuck17]

Hey MM,

I still reckon that that angst (with the media and irate fans) will resurface at the beginning of this years season.  The draw is difficult for the first six rounds and while I predict a good season I think we will have a poor start.  This will give the sharks a bit of the taste of blood and I reckon all the crap will be on again.

Then again we could just blitz the start and the season  and all the past few years will fade away into the realms of bad nightmares best left forgotten.

[3rogerd]

these journo's love nothing more than the RFC imploding, and then the paradox is that they also cant wait for the TIGER TO ROAR.

[Mr Magic]

Then again we could just blitz the start and the season  and all the past few years will fade away into the realms of bad nightmares best left forgotten.

Well winning is the best way to shut everyone's speculation up.

[Darth Tiger]

Bury the hatchet hey ?

I can think of at least one gossip "journo" - Barrett, and a radio "expert" - Shaw where the hatchet should be buried !