Bye bye Clarkson

[Spud11]

So Ross and this is a serious question I have sacked Clarko and put you in charge. Given you 3 years to make finals What steps are you taking to do this. Jokes aside how or what would you do step by step will be fine. Remember 3 years to make finals.

1. Simpkin and McDonald no longer captains, give it to Sheezel or even Xerri for a while. We need a leader out there. Jy and Luke barely belong in the team

2. I would move Zurhaar to defence and PC to the midfield, as well as Sheezel midfield/forward

3. Stephens- no longer picked

4. We go hard after 2 really good defenders this years draft and next. We also go after a capable forward to help Larkey.
A capable one.

5. We play Greenwood this year and next with some form of continuity, wherever we can fit him.. because we NEED onfield leadership right now. Is he going to change the world? No. Is he going to set standards and lead by example and show that a guernsey should be earned? Absolutely. We are gifting games to senior-ish players Stephens, Zurhaar, Fisher, Tucker etc yet the toughest shinboner, best tackler and utility we have languishes in the 2’s? Please. And we wonder why our culture is cooked

6. Each player needs a defined role and expectations around that role. Right now they all look clueless and the kids are starting to either look frustrated or disinterested.
They need and will love direction.
Not rolling in every Monday to a bunch of smiling heads with no standards.
They need a structure that works and that they can aim for and believe in.

7. We protect LDU and let him shine. Simple as that. We fly the flag and free him up in that midfield. If our players can’t be bothered fixing their skills, they should put the pressure right up to pave the way for someone with skills.
If opposition coaches have “LDU” written on their whiteboards in capital letters, we have “Whoever dares go near LDU” written twice as large on ours.
**** them.

8. Pressure, pressure and more pressure. Get in the damn moment, people.

9. Respect possession of the ball. It’s not acceptable for senior players to turn the ball over and give it up as easily as they do.

10. For God’s sake get rid of this Northball bullshiit, get back to basics and start defending. One on one and as a team.
Playing a free-flowing style that is scored against easily doesn’t make our players feel good. They are disillusioned with Northball because it doesn’t work. You can see it.
If they can find a way to grind out wins, that will lift the morale of the club. This team needs to be stingy. It needs to be hungry. Simplify it- beat your man, get the ball through the sticks at all costs.

11. Be honest with each other. Geelong-review style. What’s working? What’s not? What do we need more of from each other?
Quit this hollow, complacent happiness of just being thrilled to be there. It’s not getting us anywhere. I’m not saying “be unhappy”, but for **** sake the players need to get out of this malaise of assuming everything will automatically fix itself and skill errors that lead to losses are all fine.
Newsflash - they’re not. We’re languishing for a 5th year in a row near the bottom and blind positivity won’t do anything.
Mistakes need to hurt.
Losses need to devastate.
Become Shinboners again.

Get dirty. Get gritty.

12. Embrace the fact that we’re small, punch-above our weight, and “don’t belong” with these empty franchises that laugh at us in this contrived league. Embrace winning anywhere, any time. **** all of them.
Remember GWS in Adelaide last year, kicking goals, shutting the home crowd up zero f’s given? THAT. 100% that.
We’re never going to be a huge club so make that our identity.

I’m not saying this will make finals but it would make us better than a winless, bottom 2 team.

I’m also not Ross. Sorry.

 

[RossHenshaw]

1. Simpkin and McDonald no longer captains, give it to Sheezel or even Xerri for a while. We need a leader out there. Jy and Luke barely belong in the team

2. I would move Zurhaar to defence and PC to the midfield, as well as Sheezel midfield/forward

3. Stephens- no longer picked

4. We go hard after 2 really good defenders this years draft and next. We also go after a capable forward to help Larkey.
A capable one.

5. We play Greenwood this year and next with some form of continuity, wherever we can fit him.. because we NEED onfield leadership right now. Is he going to change the world? No. Is he going to set standards and lead by example and show that a guernsey should be earned? Absolutely. We are gifting games to senior-ish players Stephens, Zurhaar, Fisher, Tucker etc yet the toughest shinboner, best tackler and utility we have languishes in the 2’s? Please. And we wonder why our culture is cooked

6. Each player needs a defined role and expectations around that role. Right now they all look clueless and the kids are starting to either look frustrated or disinterested

7. We protect LDU and let him shine. Simple as that. We fly the flag and free him up in that midfield. If our players can’t be bothered fixing their skills, they should put the pressure right up to pave the way for someone with skills.

8. Pressure, pressure and more pressure. Get in the damn moment, people.

9. Respect possession of the ball. It’s not acceptable for senior players to turn the ball over and give it up as easily as they do.

10. For God’s sake get rid of this Northball bullshiit, get back to basics and start defending. One on one and as a team.
Playing a free-flowing style that is scored against easily doesn’t make our players feel good. They are disillusioned with Northball because it doesn’t work. You can see it.
If they can find a way to grind out wins, that will lift the morale of the club. This team needs to be stingy. It needs to be hungry. Simplify it- beat your man, get the ball through the sticks at all costs.

11. Be honest with each other. Geelong-review style. What’s working? What’s not? What do we need more of from each other?

I’m not saying this will make finals but it would make us better than a winless, bottom 2 team.

I’m also not Ross. Sorry.

Thank you Spud for answering for me … but you know what ? You are spot on all 11 points .
12. Review of the whole coaching staff. (From Clarko down .) the fish usually rots from the head … but who knows there might some other line coach that is not up to it … (can’t blame the back line ) so it’s def the midfield coach ? Patch might be out of he’s depth.
13. Strength & conditioning. Either we don’t recruit 70kg twigs that cannot put muscle or we pump some weights in our pre season program .
14. Sack Brady Rawlings immediately.

 

[Blightys Barrel]

Thank you Spud for answering for me … but you know what ? You are spot on all 11 points .
12. Review of the whole coaching staff. (From Clarko down .) the fish usually rots from the head … but who knows there might some other line coach that is not up to it … (can’t blame the back line ) so it’s def the midfield coach ? Patch might be out of he’s depth.
13. Strength & conditioning. Either we don’t recruit 70kg twigs that cannot put muscle or we pump some weights in our pre season program .
14. Sack Brady Rawlings immediately.

15. Recruit NRL or Rugby Union tackling coach to improve our technique and execution.
16. Gaffa tape Corr’s mouth at all matches so he can’t bad mouth his Team mates.
17. Invite Cunners back as a hand balling coach. He was lethal up to 20 metres at hitting a target.
18. Mentorship Program - all +200 game shin boners offered to the U23 group as individual mentors. Eg. McKercher gets Anthony Rock, Wardlaw gets Anthony Steven’s etc etc

 

[ChairmanZia]

Looking at clubs at the top which are doing OK .
Most have had a good injection of players from their Academy & free agency .
Neither we have had any luck in … unless we count Griff & TT who is no longer at the Club … draft & priority picks are not the only answer to get us out of this . The attraction of playing under Clarko has also passed . We do not have the ability to attract good players from other clubs & as we will soon see keep players as well.
We are pretty much in a world of pain for a very long time if we are just relying on draft & crap priority picks . (Fisher & cat Stephens) a good example of the type of players we are capable of attracting. No decent free agent player wants to play in a bottom 2 side for the remainder of their careers.

Im going to assume you haven't seen how melb and carlton rebuilt?

Looking at carlton for instance, even getting judd did f all to their chances.

Remember they were still basketcases back in 2021 and melb was pretty back right up until 2020.

We are year 1 into a proper rebuild with clarkson in charge fulltime.

Rebuild can only come from draft and a sustained set of draft with some luck. We waste the first rounders in 2020, 21 but started to do okay in 22, 23. So when you look at it this way, we are only year 3 into a rebuild and 1st under clarkson fulltime in charge.

For all those bitching and whinging, how did clarkson go at hawthorn in his 1st full year in charge?

What are some of the boxes we need to tick this year? Xerri play full season as primary ruck, comben as key defender these are absolutely big 2.

 

[FlyHigh18]

I definitely don’t advocate sacking him.
However he is not coaching well at the moment.

I feel like he’s basically waiting for the trade period and just getting the 18-22 range he likes to play against bigger bodies in the mean time.

I also think some players like Simpkin, LDU and Zurhaar have heard the ‘wipe the slate clean / rebuild’ spiel a few times too many. It’d be difficult for anyone to buy in again after hearing it four times. Even if the allure of Clarko was the fourth.

 

[RossHenshaw]

I honestly don’t how we change or get ourselves out of this hole… on paper we should be doing better than where we are at. It’s obvious that whatever they are training on / game plan / inspiration tactics are not working…
We definitely need to change something… a new voice might just spark something. I would take any form of sugar rush right now. Otherwise we will be at round 20 with 0-19 before we know it .

 

[Possession]

I feel like he’s basically waiting for the trade period and just getting the 18-22 range he likes to play against bigger bodies in the mean time.

I also think some players like Simpkin, LDU and Zurhaar have heard the ‘wipe the slate clean / rebuild’ spiel a few times too many. It’d be difficult for anyone to buy in again after hearing it four times. Even if the allure of Clarko was the fourth.

A lot of that older crew probably are aware that they are not part of Clarko's plan either, despite what he says to them. They're simply keeping positions warm on the field. Might explain a perceived lack of effort from that demographic and all of the "we know where we're at" presser stuff.

For all the talk of cuddly Clarko I do think that he's going to be pretty ruthless in throwing out players who have served their purpose at the first opportunity. We just have nobody to replace them with right now.

 

[GDUB07]

Clarko has at least next season up his sleeve before I would even consider any change. But in saying that, it’s a complete mystery to me what’s going on with this team. We were more than competitive at stages last season and while we know the progress is not always linear, I certainly didn’t expect to find us totally uncompetitive against ALL opposition this season. I thought the days of having zero hope going into games were very much behind us since the Noble tenure ended. Yet here we are, out of games before half time every bloody week.

Something is very wrong between the four walls of this club. It’s not even list management issue as I’m 100% convinced that the team is more than capable of winning 4-6 games at a minimum.

We’ve only lost TT, Mckay and Goldy from our best 22 since last season. Our assistant coaches are seemingly better this season.

WTF is going on over there would be my only question for the Q&A this week


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I suppose also the loss of experience and leadership Ziebell, Cunnington & Hall has no impact the group either….what at tool u are!

 

[Gasometer]

I suppose also the loss of experience and leadership Ziebell, Cunnington & Hall has no impact the group either….what at tool u are!

12 posts in and we’re name calling “Tools” who have been here since the Big Bang

 

[Event Horizon]

I suppose also the loss of experience and leadership Ziebell, Cunnington & Hall has no impact the group either….what at tool u are!

I could just ignore you for being an idiot, but I will respond just once. Ziebell was arguably not in the best 22 last season. Cunnington hardly played after being dropped early in the year and Hall was also not in the best 22 by some margin, having played mostly in the VFL despite being available.

 

[TheKanga]

A lot of that older crew probably are aware that they are not part of Clarko's plan either, despite what he says to them. They're simply keeping positions warm on the field. Might explain a perceived lack of effort from that demographic and all of the "we know where we're at" presser stuff.

For all the talk of cuddly Clarko I do think that he's going to be pretty ruthless in throwing out players who have served their purpose at the first opportunity. We just have nobody to replace them with right now.

Clarko probably can't wait for trade period tbh

 

[pupstar]

I could just ignore you for being an idiot, but I will respond just once. Ziebell was arguably not in the best 22 last season. Cunnington hardly played after being dropped early in the year and Hall was also not in the best 22 by some margin, having played mostly in the VFL despite being available.

In saying that they don't have to be playing to still have an influence on the playing group. Training standards preparing for games. communicating with the young blokes at training.

 

[Devil Fish]

I honestly don’t how we change or get ourselves out of this hole… on paper we should be doing better than where we are at. It’s obvious that whatever they are training on / game plan / inspiration tactics are not working…
We definitely need to change something… a new voice might just spark something. I would take any form of sugar rush right now. Otherwise we will be at round 20 with 0-19 before we know it .

On paper? I reckon we look bloody awful on paper. That was my concern at the end of 2023. At the end of '23, we rightly or wrongly, allowed Goldy & McKay to walk, which only weakened an already very poor list. It is of absolutely no surprise to me that we are 0&7 with a % of 50-odd. I would be staggered if we won a game this season.

The lack of effort was one thing I did not anticipate, but the lack of talent, particularly experienced talent, that was as plain as day for all to see.

 

[RossHenshaw]

Agree . Keep saying it …
“You can be an ordinary side but you can still go into a game with the correct mindset to put in , pressure , tackle & contest. (Also give a rats ) “

 

[The acurate one]

I honestly don’t how we change or get ourselves out of this hole…

That's a fair question to raise RH.

This isn't a coaching issue. Do the math in your head about how many currently on our list are good enough, not to say others won't get there eventually.

Now I think we have around 18 currently and they play pretty much the same positions. Mostly mids and flankers.
that isn't al's fault.

 

[RossHenshaw]

That's a fair question to raise RH.

This isn't a coaching issue. Do the math in your head about how many currently on our list are good enough, not to say others won't get there eventually.

Now I think we have around 18 currently and they play pretty much the same positions. Mostly mids and flankers.
that isn't al's fault.

Can’t argue with a lot of that Accurate.
My gripe with Al is that he has not managed to at least install any fight or pride in our team . They are the opposite of a Shinboner. I honestly thought he could by now installed some resilience & pride in the jumper. Yes the leaders need to also show the way for the young but at least show us some of the Old Clarko where if you do not perform or give a rats you can duck off.

 

[Horizons_00]

Not being a smart ass but

What is Clarkos game plan? Or what structure has he implemented? (We don't see north ball anymore)

After hearing Sheezal interview I still don't believe the players have bought into his plan

 

[Horizons_00]

Agree . Keep saying it …
“You can be an ordinary side but you can still go into a game with the correct mindset to put in , pressure , tackle & contest. (Also give a rats ) “

Well Look at other teams around the league

 

[winalotroos]

Agree . Keep saying it …
“You can be an ordinary side but you can still go into a game with the correct mindset to put in , pressure , tackle & contest. (Also give a rats ) “

This should be the bear minimum when pulling on the jumper.

If your senior players and so call leaders are not doing these basic things how can we expect the younger players to do this.

 

[The acurate one]

Can’t argue with a lot of that Accurate.
My gripe with Al is that he has not managed to at least install any fight or pride in our team . They are the opposite of a Shinboner. I honestly thought he could by now installed some resilience & pride in the jumper. Yes the leaders need to also show the way for the young but at least show us some of the Old Clarko where if you do not perform or give a rats you can duck off.

Yes and true all that, I just wonder if this isn't his model and when this fails he may say it's my turn and my way.

Oh boy paint will be off the walls lol

 

[RossHenshaw]

Yes and true all that, I just wonder if this isn't his model and when this fails he may say it's my turn and my way.

Oh boy paint will be off the walls lol

I thought the same … this “softly softly approach “ so far has got him no where …

 

[ChairmanZia]

A lot of that older crew probably are aware that they are not part of Clarko's plan either, despite what he says to them. They're simply keeping positions warm on the field. Might explain a perceived lack of effort from that demographic and all of the "we know where we're at" presser stuff.

For all the talk of cuddly Clarko I do think that he's going to be pretty ruthless in throwing out players who have served their purpose at the first opportunity. We just have nobody to replace them with right now.

we will never have replacement otherwise they would be in the team right now.

zurhaar's paper has been marked, him there won't give us anything more.

Get rid off him, get a good pick and then perhaps trade to change up the team dynamics where the players we need to rely on genuinely would put in the effort.

 

[Nylex]

Clarko probably can't wait for trade period tbh

To get in another soft left footer like Dylan Stephens to clog the list

 

[RossHenshaw]

To get in another soft left footer like Dylan Stephens to clog the list

& give a 4 year contract…on $700 large

 

[ChairmanZia]

fisher, stephens all play important midtier link up role.

They are not there to lead, they will get very good when the mid is taken over by sheezal wardlaw