Glen Mitchell put forward the scenario of Hawthorn currently undergoing a major playing list development with a large number of 1st and 2nd year players being nursed through the system.
His major premise was - "Is Alistair Clarkson, a new senior coach in a huge learning phase, the man that the Hawks need to guide their youngsters?"
Would Hawthorn be better served by having a more senior, experienced coach to teach the new recruits?
This topic raises a few interesting points and has a certain validity in it's concept.
Are the youngsters learning under a teacher who is himself learning? Is there room in the system for fresh blood? When does a new coach gain credibility and be regarded as a success?
I got to thinking about the Dockers situation and quickly realised that they have gone with first year coaches since their inception(Neesham, Drum and Connolly) and, seemingly, paid the price.
I know and understand that a coach must start somewhere and fully realise that there will always be exceptions to a rule but is there a desire by clubs to get the biggest return for the dollar by employing untried coaches at low salaries in preference to experienced coaches who may, in fact turn their fortunes around?
Perhaps an obvious question - Does the $ rule the game?
I would welcome comment - even from you Reteif, though the topic might be a bit too deep.
― Westener (Westener), Tuesday, 21 June 2005 11:29 (twenty years ago)
Obvious answer would be most definitely. The other talk aorund is not only junior coaches talking on senior positions. (Personally I think Clarkson will be good as long as the administration at Hawthorn stick by him and the team backs him up.)
Think of the list at St Kilda and how well they have been doing, is Grant Thomas good enough to get them through a finals series to the GF? Or even (I'm sorry REB)is Bomber Thompson good enough to take the Catters, who I think are a good side, to that next level. Geelong seem to have a history of not quite getting there. I wonder how Clarkson would go coaching a side like Geelong who I think just need more discipline in their game (and in some cases off the ground).
The whole thing just makes the game more interesting especially when you see the old warhorses like Sheedy (still can't believe he's being coaching Essendon for 23 years - absolutely amasing) coaching up against the more junior or untried coaches. Love it!
New teams need time to gel and play strongly and confidently together. I watch the Suncoast Lions (our twos) before the main game on Sunday - they got flogged by Southport. But they had 6 premiership players in the side (Charman, White, Pike, Scotts x2) and the team as a whole only played well. We got talking about how hard it would be for a side like The Suncoast Lions to play well every week when they were constantly getting different players in the side. Confidence in who you play with and their style of play is a big thing. I always feel sorry for the kid that has to miss the game because of the senior players dropping back into the side - but I guess there is no other way of doing it.
― Lucy Lion (Lucy Lion), Tuesday, 21 June 2005 23:08 (twenty years ago)
I am quite confident that you'll be seeing the Blue and White hoops running about quite late into the season again this year. And remember, even the Sheedys, Malthouses and Matthewsessesess had to start somewhere.
regards,
REB
― Rik E Boy (Rik E Boy), Tuesday, 28 June 2005 02:33 (twenty years ago)
Perhaps a more experienced coach wouldn't have the burning desire, raw enthusiasm and a desperation to succeed as a 'raw' coach. Desperation, enthusiasm and desire can be infectious, especially to the youg 'uns.
Having said that, an experienced coach would probably have implemented a better game plan than Clarkson is trying to do at Hawthorn.
― chrisso (chrisso), Tuesday, 28 June 2005 02:57 (twenty years ago)
― Lucy Lion (Lucy Lion), Tuesday, 28 June 2005 05:44 (twenty years ago)
Given his list and the expectation surrouding the club, he doesn't seem to have the necessary ingredient to take full advantage of it.
I agree with chrisso's assertion that they have to start somewhere, but would a young coach at, say, Port Adelaide next year bring that enthusiasm to a, possibly, jaded list and rejuvenate them and allow a jaded Choco to guide some youngsters at Dockerland.
Worth consideration.
― Westener (Westener), Tuesday, 28 June 2005 11:17 (twenty years ago)
― Rik E Boy (Rik E Boy), Tuesday, 28 June 2005 20:52 (twenty years ago)
― Lucy Lion (Lucy Lion), Wednesday, 29 June 2005 06:25 (twenty years ago)