James Hird - Success or Failure?

[Skeeta Olly]

Success.

Today is an exciting day for everyone at the Essendon football club and all its supporters. We may seem arrogant to other supporters, but in my opinion, today will prove to be a successful day for the Essendon Football Club. People have come out today and slammed the decision, saying that you can’t appoint an inexperienced person as head coach, especially one that has never coached at AFL level. It is a fair point, but the calibre of the coaching panel that appears to be coming together will give Essendon the best chance of success.

I think we have to look at this from an areal view, look at the bigger picture. Yes we are appointing an inexperienced senior coach but we are also going to appoint one of, if not the best coaching panels ever. The names that have been thrown up are Bomber Thompson, Dean Laidley, Sean Wellman, Mark Williams, Dean Wallis, Alan Richardson and Simon Goodwin. That is a remarkable list to choose from and is a huge improvement on the panel that Matthew Knights assembled. Hird, unlike Knights, is seeking to surround himself with experienced people and not a group of people he can rule over.

James Hird being appointed coach is great for the club on a marketing point of view and an on field point of view. Like James Hird says, the appointment of himself and other will see everyone come together and unite, unlike the past few years. Matthew Knights was given one of the toughest jobs in football, serving as coach of a proud club at the bottom of the ladder with the expectation of restoring the club to glory. As it turned out, not only were the shoes too big to fill but he wasn’t much chop as a coach. It annoyed me in the second half of the year after we beat St Kilda and the Kangaroos that ‘finals’ was mentioned. I’ve been a supporter of Matthew Knights, but that proved to me that he was delusional and refused to accept the reality that finals wasn’t on the radar. We couldn’t have that type of person lead this club for the next 2 years and install that mindset in the players.

Now to move back to James Hird. It’s important that we realise that despite what a great man he is, he is a rookie coach. Rookie coaches generally take over football clubs that are at the bottom of the ladder because that clubs coach has performed poorly. People next year can’t expect miracles and that is why finals should not be on the radar. Look at Hardwick at Richmond, he has being praised for his efforts at Richmond and the development of players yet they finished second last on the ladder. James Hird may find himself in a similar position as he has a big task ahead of him. He’ll need to implement a (new) game plan, players may be shuffled around and others may be moved on.

This appointment of James Hird is exciting, but it’ll take time for it all to come together. This thread and other James Hird ones are bound to be bumped next year when we take a heavy defeat or we’re having a poor patch of form, but that’s just part of the process. This is all about the long term future of the club, so don’t expect miracles next year. I liked what James Hird mentioned today, about youth and development. Matthew Knights may have come out this year and said we didn’t want to be known a young team anymore, but the fact is, we are.

We are a young team with lots of promise and they’ll benefit the most from having a champion of the club in James Hird coaching them as well as experienced assistants helping them develop. This truly is Essendon.

[Valve Bounce]

I did post on the other thread, but, yeah, you are right. I agree. :thumbsu:

[Ben the Gooner]

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/essendon-confident-players-will-stay-at-windy-hill/story-e6frf9jf-1225931072803

"The buzz amongst the group (draftees) has been amazing, it has been phenomenal actually," recruiting boss Adrian Dodoro said.

"To get an icon of the club and a great guy is fantastic for the club, it is a great result.

"All the young guys at the draft camp were so excited."

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/essendon-confident-players-will-stay-at-windy-hill/story-e6frf9jf-1225931072803

http://www.mspmentor.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/msp_success_key.jpg

[caboose]

Matthew Knights was given one of the toughest jobs in football, serving as coach of a proud club at the bottom of the ladder with the expectation of restoring the club to glory. As it turned out, not only were the shoes too big to fill but he wasn’t much chop as a coach.

I read that bit, and didn't bother with the rest of your shameless post.

Along with many others, you owe a number of people on this board an apology. The attacks and abuse that were showered on people who said precisely what you have said above about Knights (but without the massive benefit of hindsight) were a disgrace to this board for the best part of the last three years. I'm assuming the people who were responsible for it (including you) won't apologise. But please, at the very least, show some self-respect for a while and spare us the totally unremorseful 180 degree turnarounds and the long essays that suggest you still see yourself as an authoritative expert. :thumbsd:

Right, now that's off my chest ...

As for James, I think it's an absolutely brilliant appointment that will restore the soul to our club after three tragic years. He is someone who knows the club inside and out, bleeds red and black, knows all about success, is an unbelievably hard worker, and is super-intelligent and articulate. In other words, the very opposite of his immediate predecessor on almost all counts.

A huge congratulations to David Evans, for recognising the terrible error of the board's ways and landing a truly great choice. Admittedly, it came too late not to cost us big time (as a handful of us on here repeatedly warned) - but at least that gaping wound has been plugged and we're right back on our way to rudely good health again.

And thanks to great men like Paul Hamilton and Scott Lucas too, who actually understand what this club is all about. :thumbsu:

Go get 'em Jimmy and go Dons!

[Colin D'Cops]

* Should have the players playing for him.
* Should have a superb, young & improving, spine to work with.
* Should have the knowledge and smarts to hold his own tactically.
* Should have the right people around him to help steer the ship.
* Should have the full support of the fans, board, footy dep, public.

Should be a success. Unfortunately, should be does not necessarily mean will be. I'm confident he can ramp up the culture of the club and bring some success in the near future (unlikely next year though), and on that note I wish him all the best. :thumbsu:

[Kong]

I read that bit, and didn't bother with the rest of your shameless post.

Along with many others, you owe a number of people on this board an apology. The attacks and abuse that were showered on people who said precisely what you have said above about Knights (but without the massive benefit of hindsight) were a disgrace to this board for the best part of the last three years. I'm assuming the people who were responsible for it (including you) won't apologise. But please, at the very least, show some self-respect for a while and spare us the totally unremorseful 180 degree turnarounds and the long essays that suggest you still see yourself as an authoritative expert. :thumbsd:At the risk of derailing this thread, excuse me?

I think all but a few saw the light with regards to Knights during his final year, and admitted as much.

Heck, I've admitted I was wrong (though right on my initial feel) on the matter numerous times, as most others around here seem to have.

[roostersgal4eva]

Hi Guys

Being scared over what seems to be the disaster that is Voss I shounldnt be that optamistic about hird but I am

Essendon need to do two things though

Get Laidley/williams/thompson as a mentor/assistant

AND

Make sure everyone from the top down is in the one direction (from the outside it looked like the needed a attitude reajustment)....if that doesnt happen then not even a Leigh Matthews or Mick Malthouse could coach properly.

Hopefully it works for James and the Club....just be patient!

[caboose]

At the risk of derailing this thread, excuse me?

I think all but a few saw the light with regards to Knights during his final year, and admitted as much.

Heck, I've admitted I was wrong (though right on my initial feel) on the matter numerous times, as most others around here seem to have.

You were one of the better ones, Whomb.

And I appreciate the fact that you've not only admitted it - but that you also stepped in a number of times to remove from the board some of the despicable personal abuse that was written.

But, frankly, many people on this board should be totally ashamed of the way they carried on. This was a terrible place to come for a long time for anyone who dared to have a dissenting view about Knights' alleged quality as a coach. Barely a day went past on here without kelvin sheedy copping it from multiple posters ganging up on him. I certainly know from personal experience that every single time I came on here to say anything, I was usually lucky enough to receive a tag team of critics launching into me. It was rarely an attack with actual substance either; it was almost universally childish personal potshots.

Yes, a number of people have changed their tune. But most have done it without owning up in any way at all to their behaviour. And most have tried to pretend (after the writing was on the wall, of course) they never really thought much of Knights all along, hoped he was ok but really knew deep down he was no good. And that they would have chosen Hardwick instead etc etc ... cough, splutter.

While I think James' appointment will probably be a great unifying development for the supporter base and should bring us all together again, this is nevertheless a good time for people to reflect (even if only to themselves) on what this board turned into for a substantial period.

Sorry if you regard it as a personal sleight, but sadly there was little point coming here for a long time if one's view happened to deviate from the groupthink.

[Prince of Lygon]

I have no doubt that Hird will be a success at the bombers. He was a champion footballer and a great leader and my favourite non-carlton player. I wish him all the best and hope that Essendon surround him with the right people and support him.

[yaco55]

Caboose

No reason to get so worked up about the issue.

Football forums are full of revisionists - That seems to be a fact of life.

I am certain that if we dont live up to expectations in two years there will be posters calling for Hird's Head - Probably his most ardent admirers today.

Agree that there is no need for personal abuse.

Priority now is to unite and support the coach.

[Redb#]

Where's Stander? another abuser of fans who could see the writing on the wall months ago. Shame I cant bump my "Are we ready to sack Knights" thread its been locked.
-----------
moving on.

Success - best thing to happen to Essendon in a long time.

Hird will rebuild the club with the right team, only had to listen to him yesterday to realise he has the passion and management ability to make this work.

I dont care where we finish in 2011 James Hird has my full support for as long it takes. I know Hirdy will hurt as he bleeds red and black just like us when the team fails and will work to fix it to his best ability, and that is all anyone can ask.

Go Dons!

[Nugget1985]

As Redb# has said the most important part of Hird's portfolio (was addressed by Evans yesterday) is his success outside of football in his sports management roles, he quite obvioulsy has the people skills to react and engage with all types of personalities which is a neccesity in any team sport.

For people that compare the appointment of Hird to Voss that is very premature. From the outside looking in it seems that Voss is pretty much running the football department as he pleases. Their short sightedness in recruiting mature players has cost them, not the fact Voss can't coach, people in Brisbane (I am sure Voss was one) underestimated where they were at last year and definitely made the wrong choices this season. Voss seems to be a very strongwilled leader and I am sure that he does influence people with this style of leadership when sometimes his decisions may not seem right.

From the very outset it is clear that Essendon and in particular Hird are at no illusions as to where the club and list is at, they seem prepared to put in place a system which will see the club return to glory on the field over a lengthy period. Hird seems to be a person who understands immensley where he is at, what he needs to do and what he needs around him to be succesful in this role.

I wish Essendon and in particular Hird all the best on what seems to be a calculated and logical appointment yesterday, it is time to not look at his past but to look towards the future with Hird as coach.

[Valve Bounce]

"This man is very measured"

I think that says it all.

[Skeeta Olly]

Along with many others, you owe a number of people on this board an apology. The attacks and abuse that were showered on people who said precisely what you have said above about Knights (but without the massive benefit of hindsight) were a disgrace to this board for the best part of the last three years.

If I owe someone an apology, they'll ask me for it. This a forum, where everyone attacks each others opinions, it's just someone of us have the balls to come out and say that we were wrong. I don't recall abusing anyone. You're also calling me a disgrace to this board, quotes please of where I have disgraced the entire Essendon bigfooty community.

I recall having a similar conversation (http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showthread.php?p=17545019#post17545019) with you about this before and it seems to be one of your sticking points. You are right, you are always right and every else that is wrong can't change their minds and should apologies for being wrong. If someone dare not agree with you, you take it so personally. You need to losen up.

Having a look through your posting history I can find plenty of instances when you've jumped on Knight's back ( sometimes to criticize him after a lose.) The loss to port, according to you (http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showpost.php?p=17686347&postcount=24) was Knights fault (I do acknowledge you also put some blame on the players, but I don't agree completely with your post).

Personally abuse? Comical. Look at this response when you don't agree with a poster (who was actually right):
Moron.
Bit of pot, kettle, black don't you think?

You would also be one of the posters to go missing when we starting winning. I don't recall you coming on here and praising Knight's effort to get us up over the Bulldogs and St Kilda. But of course when we lost, you'd stick the boot in as hard as you could.

I was a fan of Knights, and I think he deserved to finish out the year. Our club would have been in turmoil had he been sacked mid season. I don't think doing that 'is Essendon' and we had the class to wait until the end of the season. Initially I thought, give him one more year, but after looking back at the season and after hearing stories about him, I came to the conclusion and agreed that a new coach was needed.

I think everyone deserves a fair go, but people on this website didn't think so.

I'm assuming the people who were responsible for it (including you) won't apologise. But please, at the very least, show some self-respect for a while and spare us the totally unremorseful 180 degree turnarounds and the long essays that suggest you still see yourself as an authoritative expert. :thumbsd:

I'm responsible? Big accusation, go find some quotes for me. I've been critical of posters like you because of the way you seem to gang up on Knights we he performed poorly (which yes, he did) but go missing when he won us games.

If you don't want to read my post, don't, I'm not forcing you. You seem to have a problem accepting that other people have different views to you, and take it on as a personal attack. Which incidentally, your reply was against me. I don't claim to be an 'authoritative expert', but I do have an opinion and this is a place to voice it. No where have I abused people for not having a differently opinion to me. Don't make accusations unless you're willing to back them up.

[The Donners]

Too many "I told you so" crap in this thread. Let us never speak of Knights again.

Hird has come to the club to unite us!!! Lift your games boys and girls!!!

We will no longer be the next <insert shit club> - we have hope! :thumbsu:

[Spagman]

Great appointment for you guys, especially if you can snag Bomber Thompson and Mark Williams as coaches as well, but would they want to be 'assistants' under Hird? Hopefully for the club if that all comes together they can put any egos aside for some long term success.

My issue is that how did the Essendon board think that sacking one inexperienced coach and replacing him with another is the answer to all their issues? Please understand I don't have the depth of insight into this club that most of you do, but from what I gathered, for pretty much the whole time it looked as if there was an issue with Knights, was that from his lack of coaching experience or from not being an 'Essendon boy'?

You all have to admit that your list has a-LOT of dead wood on it that needs to be purged as well. Yes, much like the Tigers list, I'm not blind to that fact or singling out your team.

It's a shame that these cycles in Footy keep happening, the Knights situation reminds me of the Terry Wallace time at Richmond, plenty promised, little to nothing delivered and years and too much $$$ wasted. I still don't know if Hardwick will lift the RFC to greatness and nobody knows if Hird can do the same for the Bombers.

But, at least this is a positive step and gives the fans some good news for the end of 2010. It's a positive appointment that guarantees memberships, hopefully it all comes together for you guys.

[Slattery_20]

Results are mostly about the playing list tbh.

[The Donners]

Great appointment for you guys, especially if you can snag Bomber Thompson and Mark Williams as coaches as well, but would they want to be 'assistants' under Hird? Hopefully for the club if that all comes together they can put any egos aside for some long term success.

My issue is that how did the Essendon board think that sacking one inexperienced coach and replacing him with another is the answer to all their issues? Please understand I don't have the depth of insight into this club that most of you do, but from what I gathered, for pretty much the whole time it looked as if there was an issue with Knights, was that from his lack of coaching experience or from not being an 'Essendon boy'?

You all have to admit that your list has a-LOT of dead wood on it that needs to be purged as well. Yes, much like the Tigers list, I'm not blind to that fact or singling out your team.

It's a shame that these cycles in Footy keep happening, the Knights situation reminds me of the Terry Wallace time at Richmond, plenty promised, little to nothing delivered and years and too much $$$ wasted. I still don't know if Hardwick will lift the RFC to greatness and nobody knows if Hird can do the same for the Bombers.

But, at least this is a positive step and gives the fans some good news for the end of 2010. It's a positive appointment that guarantees memberships, hopefully it all comes together for you guys.

If a bloke like Dustin Fletcher was going to retire if Knights coached beyond 2010, you know there's a problem.

[tigertiger]

I'll call it now Essendon wont be in contention for a flag for at least 10 years, sounds harsh but in a period of two new teams coming in and the cream of the draft picks being gathered by gold coast and west sydney that leaves not much draft improvement for clubs except with the list they have and looking for those late draft pearls.

I heard someone say this year that the most important thing a coach can do is evaluate his list correctly or something like that. Look at Voss he got it wrong and has set the club back years.

I loved Hirdy as a player one of the best in big games i have ever seen but as a coach i just dont see it. To me it has shades of Richmond appointing Bartlett in the 80's he tried to develop the youth as he saw that as the only way forward but the board and supporters got impatiant and sacked him.

[The Donners]

I'll call it now Essendon wont be in contention for a flag for at least 10 years, sounds harsh but in a period of two new teams coming in and the cream of the draft picks being gathered by gold coast and west sydney that leaves not much draft improvement for clubs except with the list they have and looking for those late draft pearls.

I heard someone say this year that the most important thing a coach can do is evaluate his list correctly or something like that. Look at Voss he got it wrong and has set the club back years.

I loved Hirdy as a player one of the best in big games i have ever seen but as a coach i just dont see it. To me it has shades of Richmond appointing Bartlett in the 80's he tried to develop the youth as he saw that as the only way forward but the board and supporters got impatiant and sacked him.

Thank god for father/son picks then! :thumbsu:

[Valve Bounce]

Thank god for father/son picks then! :thumbsu:

When will Jimmy's son be joining the ranks? He is a Bomber 100%. :thumbsu:

[The Donners]

When will Jimmy's son be joining the ranks? He is a Bomber 100%. :thumbsu:

I was thinking more Joe Daniher who's touted as a top 3 draft pick.

Not sure why all the dramatics about the GC and GWS taking draft picks, correct me if I'm wrong the draft concessions end next year? :confused:

In that time we'll have pick 8 and ? then Joe Daniher (aka top 3 pick).

[Redb#]

I'll call it now Essendon wont be in contention for a flag for at least 10 years, sounds harsh but in a period of two new teams coming in and the cream of the draft picks being gathered by gold coast and west sydney that leaves not much draft improvement for clubs except with the list they have and looking for those late draft pearls.

I heard someone say this year that the most important thing a coach can do is evaluate his list correctly or something like that. Look at Voss he got it wrong and has set the club back years.

I loved Hirdy as a player one of the best in big games i have ever seen but as a coach i just dont see it. To me it has shades of Richmond appointing Bartlett in the 80's he tried to develop the youth as he saw that as the only way forward but the board and supporters got impatiant and sacked him.

call it what and when you like. :rolleyes:

The opinion of every club's supporters means absolutely zip to me. you all want it to fail before it begins. Agenda much? err...p1ss off

[Valve Bounce]

I'll call it now Essendon wont be in contention for a flag for at least 10 years, sounds harsh but in a period of two new teams coming in and the cream of the draft picks being gathered by gold coast and west sydney that leaves not much draft improvement for clubs except with the list they have and looking for those late draft pearls.

I heard someone say this year that the most important thing a coach can do is evaluate his list correctly or something like that. Look at Voss he got it wrong and has set the club back years.

I loved Hirdy as a player one of the best in big games i have ever seen but as a coach i just dont see it. To me it has shades of Richmond appointing Bartlett in the 80's he tried to develop the youth as he saw that as the only way forward but the board and supporters got impatiant and sacked him.

Let's have a friendly bet: Essendon will win a flag before Richmond.

[tigertiger]

call it what and when you like. :rolleyes:

The opinion of every club's supporters means absolutely zip to me. you all want it to fail before it begins. Agenda much? err...p1ss off

i dont have an agenda just an opinion based on what i have seen before, i hope it works out as beating a up and running essendon with no excuses is much more satisfying then beating a team that is languishing at the bottom.


As for the father son stuff thats great but they still replace a draft pick they are not an extra and players always take 4 to 5 years to properly develop you guys have a long road to travel before you are ultra competitive

[tigertiger]

Let's have a friendly bet: Essendon will win a flag before Richmond.

a box of crownies it is

[Valve Bounce]

a box of crownies it is

A bottle of Chandon Maison will do me. :thumbsu:

[Walesy]

I'll call it now Essendon wont be in contention for a flag for at least 10 years, sounds harsh but in a period of two new teams coming in and the cream of the draft picks being gathered by gold coast and west sydney that leaves not much draft improvement for clubs except with the list they have and looking for those late draft pearls.


You're talking about a list that beat the potential premiers, and 2x grandfinalist twice this year. Beat the Bulldogs, beat two other top 8 teams in Hawthorn and Carlton. And got within the slimmest of margains against the Swans.

If *this* - a team with an average age of 22.7- won't be in contention- man, I'd hate to be supporting Richmond with their average age of 22.5...

Our list is fine- it's our gameplan and consistency that has struggled.

[Skeeta Olly]

Take out Fletcher and...

[Slattery_20]

They'll have no-one with a full licence who can instruct them, the rest of them are all on their learners.

[Valve Bounce]

You're talking about a list that beat the potential premiers, and 2x grandfinalist twice this year. Beat the Bulldogs, beat two other top 8 teams in Hawthorn and Carlton. And got within the slimmest of margains against the Swans.

If *this* - a team with an average age of 22.7- won't be in contention- man, I'd hate to be supporting Richmond with their average age of 22.5...

Our list is fine- it's our gameplan and consistency that has struggled.

Not so loud! we don't want them to find out. :eek:

[caboose]

Caboose

No reason to get so worked up about the issue.

Agree that there is no need for personal abuse.

Priority now is to unite and support the coach.

Thanks yaco. Very good post, and very good points. :thumbsu:

The reason(s) I get so worked up about it is that it was such an unpleasant experience coming to this board for the past three years. It should have been the best place on BF for Bomber fans to come; instead, it was the very opposite. (I was accused more than once of not even being an Essendon fan or something similar simply because I thought Knights was no good, and that basically I should therefore **** off and never come back.)

It's laughable, of course, that those same people now say 'oh, I didn't see you come on here after too many Knights wins'. The reality they can't seem to grasp is that most of us barely bothered coming on here at all - regardless of whether the club won, lost or drew. It was far more trouble than it was worth.

Anyway, as I say, very good post - and thanks. :)

My issue is that how did the Essendon board think that sacking one inexperienced coach and replacing him with another is the answer to all their issues? Please understand I don't have the depth of insight into this club that most of you do, but from what I gathered, for pretty much the whole time it looked as if there was an issue with Knights, was that from his lack of coaching experience or from not being an 'Essendon boy'?

It's not just an 'Essendon boy' thing, although that's certainly an important part of it. It goes far deeper than that. The reality is that there's a world of difference between what each of them brings to the table.

Just as a very basic, top-level summary:

Hird is just a sheer class act in everything he says and does. Whenever he speaks, it's also easy to identify with what he's saying. He is a natural communicator and a very natural leader. And he already has a very sensible, very practical vision about what he wants to achieve.

Knights, on the other hand, was way out of his depth. And, in my view and the view of just about everyone whose views on football I take seriously, came across as a terrible communicator who never inspired any confidence that he knew what he was doing.

[smcateer]

For mine Hird is already a successful appointment because he's unsackable.

When Knights got the chop my greatest fear was that we would be chopping and changing coaches every 6 months from now on. Then we would have been in a deep, deep hole that it may have taken donkey's to climb out of. Just ask the Tiger faithful just seeing daylight now as they crawl across the precipice.

If Hird had identical first three seasons to Knights - 12th, 8th (with 1 losing final) and 14th - would he be sacked? No.

Comparisons to Tim Watson are not quite right because by rights he wasn't given a fair crack at the Saints - had he the same record and he was coaching us - rather than working in that hole I mentioned - things may have panned out differently. For the record, the great man got 10 wins in 1999 but only 2 in 2000; not great but only given 2 seasons? But he couldn't occupy that one seat in which he would have been unsackable because one K. Sheedy was busy cracking skulls from that very spot.

I believe we did the wrong thing in sacking Knights simply because it reeks of instability - I would have preferred him to coach out his 5 years with no success and for us to be stabilised by the character that that shows of the club, the board, the supporters. Wallace, in spite of himself will be noted as a turning point in the Tigers' fortunes.

Ironically however, in getting Hird into the top job we could be looking at stability through frivolity. We have our rock for us all to cling to and it will take a lot of weathering before there's any chance of us losing grip.

[The Donners]

For mine Hird is already a successful appointment because he's unsackable.

When Knights got the chop my greatest fear was that we would be chopping and changing coaches every 6 months from now on. Then we would have been in a deep, deep hole that it may have taken donkey's to climb out of. Just ask the Tiger faithful just seeing daylight now as they crawl across the precipice.

If Hird had identical first three seasons to Knights - 12th, 8th (with 1 losing final) and 14th - would he be sacked? No.

Comparisons to Tim Watson are not quite right because by rights he wasn't given a fair crack at the Saints - had he the same record and he was coaching us - rather than working in that hole I mentioned - things may have panned out differently. For the record, the great man got 10 wins in 1999 but only 2 in 2000; not great but only given 2 seasons? But he couldn't occupy that one seat in which he would have been unsackable because one K. Sheedy was busy cracking skulls from that very spot.

I believe we did the wrong thing in sacking Knights simply because it reeks of instability - I would have preferred him to coach out his 5 years with no success and for us to be stabilised by the character that that shows of the club, the board, the supporters. Wallace, in spite of himself will be noted as a turning point in the Tigers' fortunes.

Ironically however, in getting Hird into the top job we could be looking at stability through frivolity. We have our rock for us all to cling to and it will take a lot of weathering before there's any chance of us losing grip.

What a lovely story! :)

[Slattery_20]

Great appointment for you guys, especially if you can snag Bomber Thompson and Mark Williams as coaches as well, but would they want to be 'assistants' under Hird? Hopefully for the club if that all comes together they can put any egos aside for some long term success.

Why so two-faced???
If you don't think it's a good appointment, why come over here just to suck up?

Great news for all Bombers haters. Their board really didn't learn its lesson from the Knights debacle did they? In an experience capacity, what would Hird bring to the table that Knights didn't have? Absolutely ZERO except the ability to ensure membership numbers don't die in the arse next year, that's about it.
Pathetic.
About what I'd expect from a Tigers supporter. Pathetic, twisted, arse-about, illogical.
Piss off.

[daffo]

I think wins will show if he is a success of failure. We need to win 10+ games next year.

[Walesy]

I think wins will show if he is a success of failure. We need to win 10+ games next year.

It's beliefs like that which force coaches to go for wins- not build the list. Matty Knights was gone the minute he was forced, by fan and board, to fast track a defensive side into the gameplan when his strategy saw it coming in later down the track.

I hope that Hird, and whoever we get around him, understand this, and take the time to build the list up- to teach them the gameplan- and to stick with it until they start dominating with it. Not change it simply because we're losing some of the close ones.

[Nugget1985]

Anyone see Peter Schwab on AFL 360 last night?? He was remarking that you can spend all the time as assistant in the AFL, but nothing really ever prepares you properly to take on a head coach role, the reamrks he referred too were based upon the constant hounding, scrutiny and down times you have as a coach, he referred to the fact that their are hardly any good times as a coach unless your players do well individually or you have success in big games.

It is interesting as some people believe you need to serve the "apprenticeship", Schwab has pretty much dismissed it as a preparation for coaching role and has said nothing prepares you, I believe it comes down to the individual and not the systems you go through to become a great coach.

I sure hope that Hird's passion, his time in the media, his football experience and his business experience prepare him well for the road ahead. I do believe he will be a succesful coach at Essendon.

[Valve Bounce]

I believe we did the wrong thing in sacking Knights simply because it reeks of instability - I would have preferred him to coach out his 5 years with no success and for us to be stabilised by the character that that shows of the club, the board, the supporters. Wallace, in spite of himself will be noted as a turning point in the Tigers' fortunes.

.
No! no, and NO! Thank goodness Knights is gone and Jimmy can come up with a better game plan to win games consistantly, and improve the team for future years. I cannot think of any sensible reason why Knights was offered the two year extension. It wasn't as if another team was thinking of poaching him.

[Nugget1985]

No! no, and NO! Thank goodness Knights is gone and Jimmy can come up with a better game plan to win games consistantly, and improve the team for future years. I cannot think of any sensible reason why Knights was offered the two year extension. It wasn't as if another team was thinking of poaching him.

Maybe Bendigo were chasing him!!!

[Redb#]

I think wins will show if he is a success of failure. We need to win 10+ games next year.

Disagree. the number of wins is not the aim, its getting them playing the way our club should play, the wins will come eventually.

[shefx]

Disagree. the number of wins is not the aim, its getting them playing the way our club should play, the wins will come eventually.

:thumbsu:

If Coach Jimmy can get this Essendon team to start playing with passion and heart again then I dont care how many games the team wins next year I just want to see the :heart: back at Essendon.

[Valve Bounce]

:thumbsu:

If Coach Jimmy can get this Essendon team to start playing with passion and heart again then I dont care how many games the team wins next year I just want to see the :heart: back at Essendon.

You sex maniac, you. You naughty boy!! :eek:

[Kong]

Comparisons to Tim Watson are not quite right because by rights he wasn't given a fair crack at the Saints - had he the same record and he was coaching us - rather than working in that hole I mentioned - things may have panned out differently. For the record, the great man got 10 wins in 1999 but only 2 in 2000; not great but only given 2 seasons?Tim Watson stood down as coach of St Kilda, just so you know.

With games remaining in the 2nd of his 3-year contract, he made the call that he wasn't the right man for the job and stood down.

So you're way off.

[The Donners]

Tim Watson stood down as coach of St Kilda, just so you know.

With games remaining in the 2nd of his 3-year contract, he made the call that he wasn't the right man for the job and stood down.

So you're way off.

I love the man but he couldn't handle the scrutiny - fair enough.

[Valve Bounce]

Tim Watson stood down as coach of St Kilda, just so you know.

With games remaining in the 2nd of his 3-year contract, he made the call that he wasn't the right man for the job and stood down.

So you're way off.

Tim never fitted in with the party culture (at that time) at St Kilda.

[Slattery_20]

Tim Watson stood down as coach of St Kilda, just so you know.

With games remaining in the 2nd of his 3-year contract, he made the call that he wasn't the right man for the job and stood down.

So you're way off.
He was on 1.5 wins after about 16 rounds when he fell on his sword.

[Kong]

Yeah, so as I said, he stood down. He wasn't "not given a fair go" by St Kilda.

[The Donners]

Ok, who is our forward coach? Massive pre-season needed for our forwards including weight training (Gumbleton), kicking practice (Gumbleton) and leading to the right spots (take your pick - except Shotgun and Hardingham).

[Kong]

Richardson at this stage, isn't he?