Coach Who should be our next coach?

[Lore]

Spoiler: Timeline and reported candidates

15/8 Board toppled (reportedly will pursue Clarkson)
19/8 Alastair Clarkson to join North
21/8 Ben Rutten

Ben Rutten

Age

42

Ht

190cm

Wt

98kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

13.4

3star

K

6.3

2star

HB

7.0

4star

M

5.3

5star

T

1.3

3star

No current season stats available

D

10.6

3star

K

6.2

3star

HB

4.4

4star

M

3.6

4star

T

1.0

3star

sacked
22/8 Coach selection sub-committee to be established to find a replacement
26/8 Committee members announced: Josh Mahoney

Josh Mahoney

Age

48

Ht

180cm

Wt

83kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

11.3

3star

K

6.8

3star

HB

4.5

3star

M

3.5

4star

T

1.6

4star

G

0.9

4star

No current season stats available

D

9.2

3star

K

5.4

2star

HB

3.8

3star

M

2.2

3star

T

1.6

4star

G

0.4

3star

(GM-Footy, chair), Dorothy Hisgrove (Board member), Andrew Thorburn, Simone McKinnis, Robert Walls, Jordan Lewis

Jordan Lewis

Age

39

Ht

186cm

Wt

86kg

Pos.

D/M

Career

Season

Last 5

D

23.5

5star

K

12.1

4star

HB

11.5

5star

M

5.5

5star

T

2.7

4star

MG

310.5

4star

No current season stats available

D

15.0

4star

K

6.8

3star

HB

8.2

5star

M

4.8

5star

T

2.8

5star

7/9 James Hird, Dean Solomon

Dean Solomon

Age

45

Ht

189cm

Wt

102kg

Pos.

M/F

Career

Season

Last 5

D

14.8

4star

K

9.4

4star

HB

5.5

4star

M

3.9

4star

T

3.7

5star

No current season stats available

D

17.6

5star

K

13.4

5star

HB

4.2

4star

M

6.2

5star

T

2.8

5star

, Brendon Lade

Brendon Lade

Age

49

Ht

199cm

Wt

102kg

Pos.

Ruck

Career

Season

Last 5

D

11.4

3star

K

7.4

3star

HB

4.0

3star

HO

15.1

5star

No current season stats available

D

11.2

3star

K

6.8

3star

HB

4.4

4star

HO

9.6

5star

, Adem Yze

Adem Yze

Age

48

Ht

187cm

Wt

85kg

Pos.

M/F

Career

Season

Last 5

D

18.2

5star

K

14.4

5star

HB

3.8

3star

M

4.0

4star

T

1.7

4star

No current season stats available

D

5.2

2star

K

3.4

2star

HB

1.8

2star

M

0.6

1star

T

0.6

3star

interviewed at EY
13/9 Daniel Giansiracusa

Daniel Giansiracusa

Age

43

Ht

182cm

Wt

81kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

17.6

4star

K

11.0

4star

HB

6.6

4star

M

5.1

5star

T

2.4

4star

G

1.2

4star

No current season stats available

D

10.2

3star

K

7.4

3star

HB

2.8

3star

M

5.2

5star

T

2.0

4star

G

1.0

4star

reportedly interviewed
17/9 Don Pyke “not pursuing that at this stage”
21/9 Brad Scott contacted by the club but won’t make a decision on whether to pursue the role until after the Grand Final
21/9 Adem Yze

Adem Yze

Age

48

Ht

187cm

Wt

85kg

Pos.

M/F

Career

Season

Last 5

D

18.2

5star

K

14.4

5star

HB

3.8

3star

M

4.0

4star

T

1.7

4star

No current season stats available

D

5.2

2star

K

3.4

2star

HB

1.8

2star

M

0.6

1star

T

0.6

3star

has second interview and tours the training facilities at Tullamarine
22/9 Blake Caracella

Blake Caracella

Age

48

Ht

186cm

Wt

85kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

16.5

4star

K

10.1

4star

HB

6.4

4star

M

4.7

4star

T

1.4

3star

No current season stats available

D

13.2

4star

K

8.8

4star

HB

4.4

4star

M

4.0

4star

T

0.6

3star

will put his hat in the ring
27/9 Brendon Lade

Brendon Lade

Age

49

Ht

199cm

Wt

102kg

Pos.

Ruck

Career

Season

Last 5

D

11.4

3star

K

7.4

3star

HB

4.0

3star

HO

15.1

5star

No current season stats available

D

11.2

3star

K

6.8

3star

HB

4.4

4star

HO

9.6

5star

appointed as assistant coach at the Western Bulldogs, out of the running for Essendon job
28/9 Brad Scott to be interviewed on Thursday
29/9

 

[madrigal]

hirds odds are worrying low

The odds for Jobe and Tim Watson and David Zaharakis are ridiculously low.

 

[Lord Nicholson]

hirds odds are worrying low

View attachment 1490293

 

[jmoo wan]

He talked obliquely about the process he went through “last year” (read: the one Carlton put him through) and how exposed he was being too honest about that on Classified at the time, and how that had left him weary and cautious.

Then he was asked about whether he’d be willing to go through another hiring process and he was evasive.

Then he talked about Clarkson being headhunted for the job… (and that was all over the media for the better part of a week!) Which he brought up himself and no one followed up with what specifically about that was relevant.

Then he went back to talking about Barham giving him good media advice previously, how he respected Barham, and how Essendon is a historically great club.

Then they put him on the spot again and asked whether he’d entertain a conversation with Barham. He responded with something about if Barham calls him and said he would “mitigate his weariness and cautiousness…” and didn’t finish his sentence.

But I’m quite certain he wasn’t referring to Barham helping him keep his trap shut on Classified. That’s not something Barham can really do. I think he’s more weary and cautious about the process itself, or anyone knowing he was involved with it.

So my interpretation of that is that he’s saying “only if he was headhunted” and/or “only if it is done without daily leaks to the media”.


If it’s the latter, he’s dreaming. Essendon’s senior coaching role comes with stupid amounts of media scrutiny, it’s part of the job description whether the club is a colander or not.

yep - he wants to be the anointed one and not have to go through a process.

oh, and money - he wants a shitload of money.

 

[Howard Moon]

I think Ross probably can't admit to himself that it's over for him for whatever his reasons are.

might be a case of thinking you might have no money - so you dont go to the atm and find out for sure

if he never goes for another job he will forever be seen as the coach guru with unfinished business... if he goes for jobs and fails - then his allure has dissipated.

 

[Howard Moon]

the worst thing that could have happened to us was Hirds rousing reception at the 150th - walking out like a rockstar. You could almost hear the gears turning in the minds of the windy hill power brokers - Rutten was doomed from then

 

[ant555]

I just want Hird. He is the only one that has the potential to lift the club up the highest and be the best coach. Unfortunately for him he put trust in others at the club that were only boys. He has learned his mistakes, he is calculated and meticulous, organised, process driven, very clever tactically and tough but yet approachable. He has the perfect balance to demand respect from the players and to not be too soft and be buddies like Rutten. You know he will give 100% and isn't in it for the money or the prestige. For Hird it's about revenge, it's about bringing the club back to where it should be. He will leave no stone unturned. No other coach will bring the heart, the passion. All the millennials dont know what it's like to experience what Hird led in 2000, so if they are the ones bitching they can stfu!
Seriously I think Hird will be the next Coach, too many coincidences with Gil leaving, the ESS exodus, supporters of Hird remain and the last of the EFC listed 34 SAGA players leaving this off-season. Also that 150 celebration at half time vs the Tigers with him coming out through the smoke.
Time to accept he is coming home!

It is going back to where we have been trying to get away from.

 

[lenny2013]

hirds odds are worrying low

View attachment 1490293

While Sheeds is running the board, Hird is a sure thing.

 

[Alfi]

The odds for Jobe and Tim Watson and David Zaharakis are ridiculously low.

Absolutely love to see at least one of the Watsons in a role at the club. Preferably Jobe. Is heart and soul of our club, and has ample footy knowledge. Has a spine to tell it how it is, but would develop strong relationships.

Although being a part of the infamous saga, his involvement back at the club, I don’t think, would be returning to the past, as I believe he is widely supported within the afl community.

Timmy mentioned he was unlikely to return to the club though on SEN the other day, for what it’s worth.

 

[Howard Moon]

While Sheeds is running the board, Hird is a sure thing.

i can just see sheedy preaching to the board , telling one of those stories where he looks off into the distance...mind clearly ticking over ten steps into the future, three to the left, imagining the MCG at full capacity as Essendon lift the premiership cup after hird has united the fans and club

problem being those other ten steps haven't (or wont) happen.

its like lying in bed planning what youd do with your 10 million lottery win - umm the winning hasnt happened m8

 

[TheGreatBarryB]

While Sheeds is running the board, Hird is a sure thing.

Barham made pointed comments last week re Sheedy. He said along the lines of Sheedy is new to the board and is still learning and has a lot to learn. Almost like he was putting him in his place.

 

[doug85]

Did everyone miss the part where RTB said “it’s highly unlikely”?

 

[cAsEy_18]

I'm for Lyon, only if he's genuinely interested.

If this is a head-hunting, talk him (or anyone) into it, "Please take the role" sort of situation, then no thanks.

 

[DERO]

 

[BomberFan355]

I’d like Ross, but I think he just likes the attention. Going through a process and not getting the job would be too much for his ego.

 

[citizen-erased]

I’d like Ross, but I think he just likes the attention. Going through a process and not getting the job would be too much for his ego.

should be the first warning sign if we say please apply here and he says no.

don't need anymore big egos at the club. still cleaning them out as it is.

 

[doug85]

should be the first warning sign if we say please apply here and he says no.

don't need anymore big egos at the club. still cleaning them out as it is.

I think big egos go hand in hand with with elite sport environments.

 

[Darealrath]

I’d like Ross, but I think he just likes the attention. Going through a process and not getting the job would be too much for his ego.

I'm sympathetic to Ross on this one. Proven coaches in other major leagues I follow (EPL, NBA) don't go through "processes" like they're a chump like me applying for a job. They get sounded out, have a few conversations, and then get hired.

 

[Bunk Moreland]

yep - he wants to be the anointed one and not have to go through a process.

oh, and money - he wants a shitload of money.

To be fair a “process” is less of a requirement for coaches with so much experience. What are you going to find out? They’ve been senior coaches for a decade, everything you need to know is available. Strong reference checks etc are more important… you’d speak to club figures, players, coaches they worked with. Of course there’ll be multiple interviews about how they see our list and club etc… but the process for a Lyon, Buckley, Hinkley etc is going to be very different to that for somebody who’s never been in the hot seat before and who goes through psych testing and all the other mad shit they do.

I get why somebody like Lyon wouldn’t expect the same process.

 

[Lore]

I think big egos go hand in hand with with elite sport environments.

To some extent but we don’t really want a club that revolves around one person’s opinion, whether that’s Sheedy in the 90s or Xavier in the 2010s.

Nor do we want multiple different strategies playing out in different departments.

You need cohesion and confidence without arrogance and autocracy.

 

[The Donners]

Sounds like Ross wouldn’t mind his ego being stroked in any respect.

We stroke his ego, he strokes his…

 

[Lore]

To be fair a “process” is less of a requirement for coaches with so much experience. What are you going to find out? They’ve been senior coaches for a decade, everything you need to know is available. Strong reference checks etc are more important… you’d speak to club figures, players, coaches they worked with. Of course there’ll be multiple interviews about how they see our list and club etc… but the process for a Lyon, Buckley, Hinkley etc is going to be very different to that for somebody who’s never been in the hot seat before and who goes through psych testing and all the other mad s**t they do.

I get why somebody like Lyon wouldn’t expect the same process.

Isn’t the pitch usually about what they think of the list and how they would take it forward, what they think needs doing, their vision for a gameplan that works with this particular group?

I was reading this coaching manual thing yesterday

https://s.afl.com.au/staticfile/AFL%20Tenant/WesternBulldogs/Community/Schools%20resources/2013TheCoach.pdf

There’s a bunch of stuff in there which I assume would be included in a pitch for a coaching gig, though that manual is level 1, you’d think level 4 would be a few degrees more sophisticated and includes like doing your own homework and professional development in different things.

 

[Albertross]

Most would like Choco at the club in some capacity but we burnt him heading into 2016. Yze seems to be the consensus up and coming coach so him with some solid support would seem like a good choice from an outsiders view. No to Spike, Hird, Solomon etc. We need clear air.

Sheeds also burnt him at GWS didn't he? Everyone thought he would be next up when Sheeds stood down, yet they went for Leon Cameron.

 

[madrigal]

I’d like Ross, but I think he just likes the attention. Going through a process and not getting the job would be too much for his ego.

If I had a history of sexual harassment I would probably not want to go through the normal processes either.

 

[doug85]

To some extent but we don’t really want a club that revolves around one person’s opinion, whether that’s Sheedy in the 90s or Xavier in the 2010s.

Nor do we want multiple different strategies playing out in different departments.

You need cohesion and confidence without arrogance and autocracy.

And yet, we burned the joint to the ground to get Alistair Clarkson

 

[Lore]

And yet, we burned the joint to the ground to get Alistair Clarkson

When you’re starting from a base this low it’s like who do you trust more,

1. Clarkson trying to keep XC, Dodo, Sheedy, Coteries in check by sheer force of will, or
2. Burn it all down and start fresh as a professional club without the huge egos and influence of a select few.

The latter looked impossible two weeks ago. Now there’s a ray of hope…