Here's some things to consider:-
-People calling for Chris Scott's sacking. Hey, didn't some of you also call for Bomber's sacking, and, what happened, we backed him in instead and we won flags.
So, are you glad that the GFC didn't listen to your calls of sacking the coach that time?
So, why not back CS in as well? We know that he can coach us to a premiership (yes people, he DID coach us to a flag in 2011, like it or not). Maybe lighting could strike twice.
Here's what I propose. Let's try some of the things that worked last time.
1) A review:- In 2007, Brian Cook did a review of the entire club. Maybe he should do another one, on all aspects of the club. It is good, every ten years, to do this, and see how things are going in every area, and making improvements when necessary.
2) Put good people around him:- In 2007, it was decided to keep Bomber, but get good people around him, so he can focus on his job. We got in Neil Balme, and a good medical team, lead by Dr Chris Bradshaw.
Maybe we should look at Chris Scott's immediate staff, and those around him, and see what is lacking, and then get the best people for those positions into the club, so Chris Scott doesn't have as much to focus on.
3) The players need to be self-driven- Let me tell you a story.
It was the Round 5 game in 2007. I was on the train on the way home with my late brother, who was a North supporter, after the Kangaroos beat an insipid Geelong at Kardinia Park.
After a terrible 2006, I expected more in 2007, but on the train coming home, I was seething, and said that the club needed to turn things around, because I didn't want to see a performance like that again.
I heard that, after that game, Paul Chapman said that enough is enough, and he won't stand performances like that anymore. Harley, Ling and other leaders in the club agreed, and a line in the sand was drawn, as to what was an acceptable performance.
The players drove themselves to do this. Bomber said that he had nothing to do with that, and the players themselves decided to change things. They then played much better, got fitter and started winning games and flags.
So, why can't our current crop do this? Why can't the leaders, after failed finals, say it isn't good enough, and demand more?
The players have to drive it. They did last time. It shouldn't be left to the coach to drive this.
No coach can make a player do something he doesn't want to do. Maybe the standard needs to be to shape up or ship out, and if players go missing in finals, that is on them. They need to motivate themselves.
4) Leading Teams- In 2007, we got Leading Teams in. Players gave each other feedback about how they could improve, and it built a trust and bonded the guys.
Maybe it is time for a Leading Teams session again. Players need to be honest with one another, and put the acid on each other to lift their performance. It worked last time, and made many of the players better players and better people. Maybe it is time to do it again.
5) The coach needs to be told where to improve- Despite what Bomber says about resenting being reviewed by Brian Cook, if he really didn't think he needed to be reviewed, than how come he changed his gameplan from 2006 to 2007.
Bomber changed his tactics. In 2006, we handballed sideways, backwards etc. In 2007, we kicked and handballed forward, always forward, and only sideways when no other option presented itself. This slight change of tactic helped the Cats to win more games.
Now, Chris Scott may should change some tactics. But give him the chance to change things, rather than sacking him.
There are many other avenues to try first before sacking a premiership coach. Some of these worked last time, why couldn't they again?
I am a believer in, if they did it once, they can do it again? That is why I back Scott. He can coach a premiership, so I know that he can do it again, with all things in place. Hey, he's better than Ross Lyon, the most overrated coach in the league, who has had good lists at two clubs and not coached a flag, and he has had more years in the system than Chris Scott.
I also believe that if these changes worked in 2007, they can also work in 2018, and putting more responsibility onto the players for their own performances, building team harmony through Leading Teams, getting a good support staff around Chris Scott, and doing a review of the club, can make us great again.
Other things like getting injury-free seasons, and recruiting also play a part. Scott needs to analyze his own performance too, and have someone he trusts to be honest and correct him when necessary.
If after all this, Chris Scott still doesn't deliver, then his contract is up at the end of next year, I think. After all this, and when his contract comes up (I don't believe in mid-season sackings), then assess whether Chris Scott is the best coach to take us forward, or if someone else is. But let's not just go down the "sack the coach" route so easily. Remember, Richmond supporters wanted Damian Hardwick sacked at the end of 2016. Supporters don't know everything. Just cool your jets.