News Phil Walsh - New AFC Coach and Art Critic

[Elite Crow]

Only just watched his press conference and it really showed that it wasn't his drive to be a senior coach. A slight worry but as long as he performs I am happy.

You don't think someone as intense as Walsh who has finally decided to take the plunge won't now be driven? Who cares if he wasn't driven before, his work ethic is of a very high standard, he is going to be methodical and fanatical to ensure he and the club succeeds. Plus the players will be too scared not to.

 

[Scrotes2000]

Seriously tho, show we are a club that means business, have our coach concentrate on the game for the entire game, absolutely no value in telling the tv boys sweet nothings during the breaks.

Yeah 90% of the time those interviews are a waste of time, players or coach. Most people I've talked to seem to enjoy them unfortunately so I don't think they're going anywhere.

Thank god they haven't mic'd up the coaches or made it a requirement to broadcast the pre-game talk. I guess it's a small price to pay if we avoid that.

Thought this was pretty awesome -

Wakelin was also witness to Walsh’s and Williams’ tireless work ethic.

The pair would hound official AFL statisticians Champion Data with detailed requests no other club had thought of at the time, and also had their own in-house compilations of statistics.

On top of the list were score sources: whether ether teams kicked goals from stoppages, turnovers, kick-outs — and from where the goals were generated.

Walsh used terminology back then that have only crept into common football analysis over the past two or three years,.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/a...hip-a-decade-ago/story-fni5f4l8-1227083004193

Will have to think of some stuff to ask Wakelin when I pick up my Nanna's medicine. He's been pretty accommodating when I've asked him stuff in the past

 

[Cap]

Givem he acknowledges his media stuff isn't great I wouldn't think you'd read to much into it.

 

[Bay62]

You don't think someone as intense as Walsh who has finally decided to take the plunge won't now be driven? Who cares if he wasn't driven before, his work ethic is of a very high standard, he is going to be methodical and fanatical to ensure he and the club succeeds. Plus the players will be too scared not to.

Methodical and fanatical I like

Coach, club and team: no more Mr Nice Guy

 

[Stripple]

Just playing Devils advocate because I'm not gonna lie I'm well sold on Philthy but are we a little concerned about the timing of his Europe trip? (Not suggesting he shouldn't go but I remember a certain other coach who seemed to travel at critical times and look at how that went).

Love this new hard edge that he brings to the club - We've been screaming out for this for years. Wouldn't wanna be the guy not sticking tackles this season. Phil will have you running so much your kidneys will pop.

Bit behind here, but In don't think it is a concern this year. He would have had this booked in before getting the job. Wouldn't have had a break from footy this year yet. It becomes a concern if each year he books a trip during trade period.

 

[Vikingblood]

Only just watched his press conference and it really showed that it wasn't his drive to be a senior coach. A slight worry but as long as he performs I am happy.

I think you read too much into that comment. He's a bit old school like I am in that if people think you are the right candidate, they will come looking for you and he's uncomfortable with selling himself publicly. The biggest thing with Walsh is that after they came knocking, he blew them away with his ideas, philosophies and observations on the game. Time will tell, but I believe they went for substance over fluff.

One thing that you can say about Ken Hinkley (other than being a very good coach) is that he has made clubs reconsider the type of person they want as coaches. Look at the current crop of coaches and it's clear the younger ones are struggling and that's because they try to be 'mates' and be close with the players, then wonder why they can't get them to listen and react. The older ones are about respect, discipline and work ethic.

 

[ruscy002]

I think you read too much into that comment. He's a bit old school like I am in that if people think you are the right candidate, they will come looking for you and he's uncomfortable with selling himself publicly. The biggest thing with Walsh is that after they came knocking, he blew them away with his ideas, philosophies and observations on the game. Time will tell, but I believe they went for substance over fluff.

One thing that you can say about Ken Hinkley (other than being a very good coach) is that he has made clubs reconsider the type of person they want as coaches. Look at the current crop of coaches and it's clear the younger ones are struggling and that's because they try to be 'mates' and be close with the players, then wonder why they can't get them to listen and react. The older ones are about respect, discipline and work ethic.

Brendan McCartney is as old as Walsh and older than Hinkley and he's got all sorts of problems. Conversely I reckon guys like Adam Simpson and Leon Cameron are going to be excellent coaches.

It's really got nothing to do with age, it's all about personality and ability.

EDIT: I actually agree with your point that the success of the Hinkley appointment may trigger a rethink about the type of coach clubs look for, but this just suggests to me that clubs only considering younger guys were wrong to begin with.

 

[jenny61_99]

I think they will do OK, I don't think JJ is a softy, I think he just didn't know what he was supposed to do at times and got lost. I have a feeling under Walsh he will know exactly what is expected and will learn quick.

Wasn't it JJ that squibbed a few contests in one of the last games? I'm not sure he's as tough as some of you are suggesting.

 

[jenny61_99]

I'm 100% sure Walsh won't be using any stats from the Bureau of Meteorology

Sure you guys make fun of the stupid bloody game up here in the heat of the day. Games up here in August should NEVER be played during the day. It is an absolute bloody fact.

 

[BunjiMac]

Wasn't it JJ that squibbed a few contests in one of the last games? I'm not sure he's as tough as some of you are suggesting.

JJ is not soft, but physical contact is something he needs to be taught and reminded to look for. He and Henderson both come from a non contact sport which has shaped both their instincts. Being a point guard, hendo would have even a harder time breaking these habits.

 

[footy4ever]

Sure you guys make fun of the stupid bloody game up here in the heat of the day. Games up here in August should NEVER be played during the day. It is an absolute bloody fact.

I wuz there. I bloodywell cooked!

 

[jenny61_99]

I wuz there. I bloodywell cooked!

Me too!

 

[jenny61_99]

JJ is not soft, but physical contact is something he needs to be taught and reminded to look for. He and Henderson both come from a non contact sport which has shaped both their instincts. Being a point guard, hendo would have even a harder time breaking these habits.

My son played both footy and basketball this year. Non-contact you say? Reckon he got more contact injuries from basketball!

 

[Jars458]

Sure you guys make fun of the stupid bloody game up here in the heat of the day. Games up here in August should NEVER be played during the day. It is an absolute bloody fact.

Yet another example of being right not always being enough. In Sando's case I mean. Achieved nothing but negatives by whinging about it.

 

[jenny61_99]

Yet another example of being right not always being enough. In Sando's case I mean. Achieved nothing but negatives by whinging about it.

Yeah I agree. Particularly after a 100 point flogging. The point was though - and he should have made the point loudly to the AFL - whether that be publicly or privately I don't know - games should not be played up here in the day time once August hits. Even a twighlight game would be preferable.

 

[Wilko91]

It takes time to learn how to take contact if you have never experienced it in an afl context.

You need to learn that the harder you go the less likely it is that you will get hurt. Go in half assed and you are almost guaranteed to get hurt. I thought that Hendo was getting there at the end of '13 but likely due to getting hurt in preseason he lost it a bit. Jerka needs to learn that he is massive and crashing packs is what will make him as a footballer. No point having a 6'6" that plays like a small fwd pocket.

 

[King Elvis]

Yeah I agree. Particularly after a 100 point flogging. The point was though - and he should have made the point loudly to the AFL - whether that be publicly or privately I don't know - games should not be played up here in the day time once August hits. Even a twighlight game would be preferable.

I was there, it wasn't that hot, and the way Sando carried on about it, both before and after the game, was pathetic.

 

[jenny61_99]

I was there, it wasn't that hot, and the way Sando carried on about it, both before and after the game, was pathetic.

I'm assuming you didn't sit in the full sun for the whole time (I did), nor play in it for two and a half hours.

 

[tinman]

Someone on here indicated Walsh sparked champion data to start collecting things they hadn't heard of before. Who knows maybe it was i50 marks from a left foot kick

Number of stories broken by Rucci.....

Not one to keep the stats guys busy

 

[ruscy002]

I was there, it wasn't that hot, and the way Sando carried on about it, both before and after the game, was pathetic.

Something needed to be said, he just emphasised all the wrong points and it became a sook about the weather rather than a clear and focused criticism of the draw.

 

[OzSparrow]

I guess that means you would not like to see AFC operating in a ruthless way.

Depends on the results achieved after adopting the ruthless action!

Lets see what happens in 2015.

 

[SmegHead]

Something needed to be said, he just emphasised all the wrong points and it became a sook about the weather rather than a clear and focused criticism of the draw.

I thought he originally just brought up whether the AFL should allow longer quarter and half time breaks for the players to recover better, but then by the end he was gung ho about why they are playing games in Brisbane in the afternoon in August.

 

[Smoooothy]

just read a bit of the port board

wow, there some melts there. apparently koch-head was right to announce it on sunrise

 

[OzSparrow]

The move to get rid of Sando was the right call. You certainly don't wait to make a call pending you having a bigger plan whilst your club is being ripped apart.
If the club followed your view we would still have Sando and in the process he would have destroyed the club.

If the rumours are true and I think they are especially when you start to join the dots regarding the commentary from the club and also what they want in the new coach and its really not hard to come to the conclusion the club felt Sando had failed on so many levels.

Add to that we would in all likely hood not had a chance in hell of retaining our stars, in two years time we would have been staring at a complete rebuild and at least another 5-8 years in the wilderness.

Sometimes you have got to make the call before someone burns your club to the ground. The Crows had to act and I am thank full they did.

Big call with these statements!

I have not seen any evidence released publically which can cause this conclusion to be even close to the truth.

Sando's actions both before and after the sacking were nothing other than civil and gentlemanly.

There are a few other individuals still present in the upper echelons of the club who might fit the statements you have made. I do not believe Sando was one of them!

If Sando was removed it was for reasons other than these statements.

 

[Allefgib]

Wasn't it JJ that squibbed a few contests in one of the last games? I'm not sure he's as tough as some of you are suggesting.

I don't think for JJ its a 'toughness' thing. It's a confidence thing for him in not wanting to infringe and give away keys, or not being in a poor position. If Walshy gets him very clear on what is expected - and if that is related to gettings his knees dirty more or crashing packs more - I think he can adjust fairly easy. IF he can get the confidence.
I get the impression Sando was very keen on him keeping his feet and always being ready to run off like a hare towards goal. It is a massive strength of his after all.