News Chris Davies departs for Carlton

[KenOath]

Why are we blaming chris Davies? There’s nothing wrong with our list.

Because he is ultimately accountable for the performance of our football department, not just recruiting.

I mean recruiting is about all he's seemed good at so far but right now that's looking questionable too.

Given we're locked into Hinkley, Davies is the man we should be moving on. We need to target someone with genuine AFL success and credibility for this role to keep Ken honest.

This is more important than any senior (or other) assistant coaching appointments.

 

[OneGreatClub]

Do wonder how big of a role Rohde played on gameday, he was often seen in the coaches box and directing huddles

I had a bad feeling when he left. Big loss.

 

[Post op]

Davies and Cripps need to take responsibility for this debarcle. Recruitment and list management has been poor. Going in with only 1 ruckman capable of playing at afl level football for the 2018 season was a disgrace. The recruitment of Thomas and Mckenzie was pathetic. Season 2018 has been a wasted year.

 

[crafty_bernardo]

Davies and Cripps need to take responsibility for this debarcle. Recruitment and list management has been poor. Going in with only 1 ruckman capable of playing at afl level football for the 2018 season was a disgrace. The recruitment of Thomas and Mckenzie was pathetic. Season 2018 has been a wasted year.

Thomas rookie pick, Mckenzie delisted free agent. So both a free swing without anything valuable away.

 

[GremioPower]

Thomas rookie pick, Mckenzie delisted free agent. So both a free swing without anything valuable away.

Decisions must be valued at the time they were taken, not against their actual outcome with the benefit of hindsight.

Our worst decision was not bringing a ruckman, while picking either Barry or Garner.

 

[Buckley is my hero]

Take this from an outsider. You play reactive football. You rely on the opposition making mistakes then you pounce. That will work against half the teams in the competition but not the best teams. My view is you have a wonderful midfield, a freak in Paddy Ryder who can play on one leg, a defence that relies on Jonas too much and a forward line depending too much on Dixon.

I think you were extremely unlucky when you ran Hawthorn to a goal in the preliminary final back in 2013. There was a premiership beckoning if you had won that. Then there was there was the 12 month suspension of Paddy Ryder which was a major injustice in my view.

There's nothing you can do about the past. You need to play more proactive risk taking footy where you rely on your judgement and don't die wondering. That's not a coaching or club personality issue. That's purely a playing issue on the field. Win next week and make the finals is the aim. Maybe we meet again in the finals. Both our clubs have a lot of work to do to bridge the gap that Richmond have opened up on us.

 

[Ford Fairlane]

Someone to put the entire football department on the same page and to hold the bosses accountable. It certainly seemed that list management, analytics, physical, medical, and coaching weren't or stopped moving in the same direction this season.

This is, or should be, Chris Davies' responsibility. Moreover, he is in charge since 2014. When was our last great season again?

---

Just saw that we were 6-9 in 2015, before winning 6 of our last 7 games. It was too little too late for us, but must have brought a feel-good feeling into the off-season — the opposite of 2018.

---

2013: 11-7 after winning the Showdown; finished 1-3 for a 12-10 record. (eliminated in SF)
2016: 50% footy until 9-9; finished 1-3 for a 10-12 record. (no Finals)

Essentially all he does is manage contracts. Who knows who really runs football operations at Port. Probably Ken just like Choco did.

What's that old saying about those who fail to learn the lessons of the past?

 

[GremioPower]

Essentially all he does is manage contracts. Who knows who really runs football operations at Port. Probably Ken just like Choco did.

What's that old saying about those who fail to learn the lessons of the past?

Then, the answer remains the same: we need an actual Head-of-Football.

 

[Ford Fairlane]

Then, the answer remains the same: we need an actual Head-of-Football.

Brian Cunningham made those big calls when he was CE. He made Clarkson an assistant without advising Choco who was not happy. And we trusted Bucky because he was smart strong and credible.

 

[MrMeaner]

Brian Cunningham made those big calls when he was CE. He made Clarkson an assistant without advising Choco who was not happy. And we trusted Bucky because he was smart strong and credible.

Losing Bucky after 2004 was the beginning of the decline. In fact, everything about 04 smacked of “misssion accomplished”.

The problem now is that there seems to be very few people who can play the role we need from a Football Operations Manager. Balme is one, Allen is probably to other. The problem with the role is that none of these guys has an assistant to apprentice and bring in to the role elsewhere. So, you have to take pot-luck.

 

[raptalia]

Take this from an outsider. You play reactive football. You rely on the opposition making mistakes then you pounce. That will work against half the teams in the competition but not the best teams. My view is you have a wonderful midfield, a freak in Paddy Ryder who can play on one leg, a defence that relies on Jonas too much and a forward line depending too much on Dixon.

I think you were extremely unlucky when you ran Hawthorn to a goal in the preliminary final back in 2013. There was a premiership beckoning if you had won that. Then there was there was the 12 month suspension of Paddy Ryder which was a major injustice in my view.

There's nothing you can do about the past. You need to play more proactive risk taking footy where you rely on your judgement and don't die wondering. That's not a coaching or club personality issue. That's purely a playing issue on the field. Win next week and make the finals is the aim. Maybe we meet again in the finals. Both our clubs have a lot of work to do to bridge the gap that Richmond have opened up on us.

A good post and I would welcome a change in our playing style. That said, I am not sure how you can separate changing a playing style from coaching. If you are going to change the way the team plays it has to start with the Coach.

 

[Rexie J]

Then, the answer remains the same: we need an actual Head-of-Football.

Further to Davies background GM. He was head-hunted from the SANFL where he was General Manager - Football.

 

[raptalia]

Then, the answer remains the same: we need an actual Head-of-Football.

That is what Chris Davies is supposed to be. His title is General Manager- Football Operations.

In any case you need to be careful what you wish for. In the NRL the Penrith Panthers have an el supremo in ex NSW Coach Phil Gould. Nothing happens at Penrith without Phil Gould's approval. Gould does not coach the side, he just sits in the background then sacks the Coach if he doesn't like what is happening.

Maybe if we employed Phil Gould he could sack Hinkley for us?

 

[Portmagpies36]

Take this from an outsider. You play reactive football. You rely on the opposition making mistakes then you pounce. That will work against half the teams in the competition but not the best teams. My view is you have a wonderful midfield, a freak in Paddy Ryder who can play on one leg, a defence that relies on Jonas too much and a forward line depending too much on Dixon.

I think you were extremely unlucky when you ran Hawthorn to a goal in the preliminary final back in 2013. There was a premiership beckoning if you had won that. Then there was there was the 12 month suspension of Paddy Ryder which was a major injustice in my view.

There's nothing you can do about the past. You need to play more proactive risk taking footy where you rely on your judgement and don't die wondering. That's not a coaching or club personality issue. That's purely a playing issue on the field. Win next week and make the finals is the aim. Maybe we meet again in the finals. Both our clubs have a lot of work to do to bridge the gap that Richmond have opened up on us.

Would you like a job in our football department next year ?

 

[GremioPower]

That is what Chris Davies is supposed to be. His title is General Manager- Football Operations.

In any case you need to be careful what you wish for. In the NRL the Penrith Panthers have an el supremo in ex NSW Coach Phil Gould. Nothing happens at Penrith without Phil Gould's approval. Gould does not coach the side, he just sits in the background then sacks the Coach if he doesn't like what is happening.

Maybe if we employed Phil Gould he could sack Hinkley for us?

The GM would respond to the CEO. There must be a proper system of checks and balances. Ultimately, it is necessary having the right people in the right positions; but there must be some accountability.

P.S.: I couldn't avoid reading "Phil Gould" as sounding like "Feel Good!"

 

[Macca19]

Im still happy we picked up Motlop, Rocky and Watts.

Trengove held his own in the games hes played, happy to keep him.

Thomas and Mckenzie should be gone though

 

[raptalia]

Brian Cunningham made those big calls when he was CE. He made Clarkson an assistant without advising Choco who was not happy. And we trusted Bucky because he was smart strong and credible.

Geez wish we had a Board with the likes of Brian Cunningham and Warren Tredrea on it instead of some of the non footy credentialed people we have. It is one thing to have business acumen and community profile on the Board but you have to balance it with the footy smarts and knowledge that comes with experience in our core business - Australian Rules Football. We should not be surprised if we get incredible decisions and a perceived 'warm and fuzzy' community focus when we have too many non footy people making and ratifying the decisions. I must add that in AFL terms the composition of the PAFC Board is no exception in any of this but our concern has to be with our Club.

Bucky and Tredders probably would not want the gig but we are allowed to dream.

 

[GremioPower]

Thomas and Mckenzie should be gone though

I would give them both a second year, for different reasons: Thomas adds experience and is a clubman, and we need those in the Maggies; McKenzie was unlucky, and the Power missed someone someone with a deep kick.

 

[crafty_bernardo]

I would give them both a second year, for different reasons: Thomas adds experience and is a clubman, and we need those in the Maggies; McKenzie was unlucky, and the Power missed someone someone with a deep kick.

Not sure there's a place for McKenzie he also seems slow. I think his place in the backline has been filled by Lienert and we have Broadbent & Hammer coming back next year.

 

[RussellEbertHandball]

Further to Davies background GM. He was head-hunted from the SANFL where he was General Manager - Football.

Davies was a senior manager at the Australian Cricketers Association for a few years, then appointed CEO of Woodville-West Torrens after 2008 season ended, then appointed GM of footy at SANFL after 2012 season finished and then we got him late in 2014 footy season and he spent a month or two working with Peter Rohde before Rohde finished up after a decade as our GM of footy.

 

[Rexie J]

Davies was a senior manager at the Australian Cricketers Association for a few years, then appointed CEO of Woodville-West Torrens after 2008 season ended, then appointed GM of footy at SANFL after 2012 season finished and then we got him late in 2014 footy season and he spent a month or two working with Peter Rohde before Rohde finished up after a decade as our GM of footy.

Certainly agreed REH and ponder one of the most significant weaknesses in Port's management structure. CD self describes as "I'm an adminstrator" in his most recent interview now on the Port site. His administration abilities are not necessarily under any scrutiny but as he is the General Manager Football, those skills maybe challenged.

There has been discussion long before this season's debacle Port urgently needed a "Head of Football" with significant experience in that field and the comments have obviously gathered speed in recent days.

While many barbs have been directed (rightly or wrongly) at Koch and therefore the Board, my view is the failure to appoint an experienced 'Head of Football' may be the most damning criticisim of the current PAFC management structure.

 

[Mr5014]

Certainly agreed REH and ponder one of the most significant weaknesses in Port's management structure. CD self describes as "I'm an adminstrator" in his most recent interview now on the Port site. His administration abilities are not necessarily under any scrutiny but as he is the General Manager Football, those skills maybe challenged.

There has been discussion long before this season's debacle Port urgently needed a "Head of Football" with significant experience in that field and the comments have obviously gathered speed in recent days.

While many barbs have been directed (rightly or wrongly) at Koch and therefore the Board, my view is the failure to appoint an experienced 'Head of Football' may be the most damning criticisim of the current PAFC management structure.

We had some of our worst years under Rhode. He was an AFL coach and player, sanfl coach too. Not sure experience in football guarantees you much.

I think the football ops manager isn't going to sack a coach. A coach is answerable direct to boards. I suspect GMs are there to make sure the coach gets what he wants in terms of staff, players etc, manage politics and so on. The coach must be able to run his own kingdom. The problem is when the king is mad...

 

[GremioPower]

Certainly agreed REH and ponder one of the most significant weaknesses in Port's management structure. CD self describes as "I'm an adminstrator" in his most recent interview now on the Port site. His administration abilities are not necessarily under any scrutiny but as he is the General Manager Football, those skills maybe challenged.

There has been discussion long before this season's debacle Port urgently needed a "Head of Football" with significant experience in that field and the comments have obviously gathered speed in recent days.

While many barbs have been directed (rightly or wrongly) at Koch and therefore the Board, my view is the failure to appoint an experienced 'Head of Football' may be the most damning criticisim of the current PAFC management structure.

We had some of our worst years under Rhode. He was an AFL coach and player, sanfl coach too. Not sure experience in football guarantees you much.

I think the football ops manager isn't going to sack a coach. A coach is answerable direct to boards. I suspect GMs are there to make sure the coach gets what he wants in terms of staff, players etc, manage politics and so on. The coach must be able to run his own kingdom. The problem is when the king is mad...

A Head-Coach runs his dominions, but it is only one among those related to football. He cannot run everything. The GM would be responsible for having every football department on the same page. If Davies is an administrator, he is not doing his job properly.

If what you have been telling me so far is true, Ken would be cumulatively holding both head-coach and GM positions. As GM, he responds to Thomas, but as HC, he responds to himself. It is really hard for this to work!

If so, it would make more sense — it would be the simplest practical solution for us:

a) aknowledging that Davies is our List Manager;
b) having Ken only as our full-time GM; and
c) promoting Voss to HC.

 

[Mr5014]

A Head-Coach runs his dominions, but it is only one among those related to football. He cannot run everything. The GM would be responsible for having every football department on the same page. If Davies is an administrator, he is not doing his job properly.

If what you have been telling me so far is true, Ken would be cumulatively holding both head-coach and GM positions. As GM, he responds to Thomas, but as HC, he responds to himself. It is really hard for this to work!

If so, it would make more sense having Ken our full time GM, promoting Voss to HC, and leaving Davies as our List Manager.

I disagree. The coach needs to be able to dictate what he needs from every part of a football department to make his plan work. That's telling a fitness team what he needs players to be able to do, assistant coaches how to train and execute their parts of the game plan, players their role in the team, list managers the type of players he needs. Yes, he can't do that all by himself, which is what the footy ops manager is for - to help make it happen for him.

 

[Mr5014]

Or at least that's how i took it when Rhodey was in charge...