News Coaching Thread: The Hardwick Era

[Jirik13]

Should have beaten St Kilda - We were genuinely robbed of that win

Should have beaten North - Losing Touk and Sam Day (who was playing like prime Carey that day) took the wind out of our sails and Ainsworth still had a shot at the end to win the game.

Should have beaten the Eagles.

Flip those results and we're =6th. We need to pay up to get 1 or 2 guys who can come in and be an immediate upgrade in their positions. We don't need to draft anymore kids.

Yeah, we blew all those games. North and Eagles played well but if we converted just some opportunities we won comfortably. All between ears while being young and inexperienced.

Saints loss especially annoyed me. That s**t game style in the first half was unacceptable from Dimma. Neve seen such a horrible game style from both teams.

We will improve next year. The only problem is that most teams will improve too. We also had a good run with injuries.

Hopefully, a couple of quality players coming in. Then put together 3-4 wins in a row and confidence will go through the roof.

 

[KaySwizzle]

We will improve next year. The only problem is that most teams will improve too. We also had a good run with injuries.

This. The only teams that suddenly “click” were already good at one point and spent some time recuperating.

We rely too much on the same people to get better every year. Then put pressure on draftees to make us the next level team.

Hopefully this is the year we can land someone. Dimma power + draft capital + statistical improvement in most key areas + young talent should surely = enough pros to sell the dream to someone half decent…

 

[Jirik13]

This. The only teams that suddenly “click” were already good at one point and spent some time recuperating.

We rely too much on the same people to get better every year. Then put pressure on draftees to make us the next level team.

Hopefully this is the year we can land someone. Dimma power + draft capital + statistical improvement in most key areas + young talent should surely = enough pros to sell the dream to someone half decent…

Not playing finals will probably hurt us in recruitment. Rioli and Martin, it is. Will they make us significantly better? Let's see.

 

[KaySwizzle]

Not playing finals will probably hurt us in recruitment. Rioli and Martin, it is. Will they make us significantly better? Let's see.

Yeah. Even getting to the edge of finals would make us appealing enough I think. A few close losses in there (unfortunately to lower placed teams though). Who knows.

Gotta be able to sell our club. We sold the club and city to Dimma. Surely we can sell it to some players.

 

[Southern Sun]

I agree that we are very close. Our list isn't super young but our best 22 is. We need to add 2 or 3 experienced players to that best 22 and not have the likes of swallow, fiorini,Sexton being those experienced players, they aren't good enough. If we were to add rioli and dusty if the rumours are true it is an instant lift.
Dusty King read
Ainsworth walter Humphrey
Weller Anderson clohesy
Rioli Andrew Powell
Ballard Collins uwland

Witts/Moyle Rowell miller
Flanders rosas Graham

 

[Jirik13]

I agree that we are very close. Our list isn't super young but our best 22 is. We need to add 2 or 3 experienced players to that best 22 and not have the likes of swallow, fiorini,Sexton being those experienced players, they aren't good enough. If we were to add rioli and dusty if the rumours are true it is an instant lift.
Dusty King read
Ainsworth walter Humphrey
Weller Anderson clohesy
Rioli Andrew Powell
Ballard Collins uwland

Witts/Moyle Rowell miller
Flanders rosas Graham

Let's hope Martin is OK and can still play. I like Weller on the wing. Too tall forward line, IMO. I would replace Read with Rogers to bring more pressure (if he delivers in the pre-season).

 

[Yellow Feathers]

Sack the coach. pathetic

 

[thurls64]

This. The only teams that suddenly “click” were already good at one point and spent some time recuperating.

We rely too much on the same people to get better every year. Then put pressure on draftees to make us the next level team.

Hopefully this is the year we can land someone. Dimma power + draft capital + statistical improvement in most key areas + young talent should surely = enough pros to sell the dream to someone half decent…

what worries me is we did "click" in Darwin the connectivity and intuitive passing and handball was sublime yet it did not sustain, we have seen them flow and find each other effortlessly but it's not consistent

 

[Billy ray]

Our game plan v Collingwood was a hold and carry and handball game, only time we did it all season- no idea why it wasnt done again

 

[Mini GF]

In Dimma We Trust
Embrace the mantra
It will make you calmer and more confident

 

[CanYouFeelTheSunburn]

In Dimma We Trust
Embrace the mantra
It will make you calmer and more confident

Hands down the best coach we’ve ever had. It’s a no brainer. The sky is the limit. Enjoy the ride!

 

[robo_1]

After watching the press conference after the game do we expect a coaching staff change?

Interesting that other clubs have their line coaches then a raft of other specialist non game day coaches.

Hearing Brad Johnson

Brad Johnson

Age

49

Ht

182cm

Wt

87kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

19.7

5star

K

14.1

5star

HB

5.6

4star

M

5.9

5star

T

1.6

4star

G

1.5

5star

No current season stats available

D

12.8

4star

K

10.2

4star

HB

2.6

3star

M

2.2

3star

T

1.2

3star

G

0.6

3star

on the radio the other night he is a set shot coach at the bulldogs 1 or 2 days a week
Cam Mooney is similar at the giants
Dermott Brereton used to be forward craft coach a couple days a week at GWS then the saints

The suns have seemed to always just had the same handful of snr coach forward midfield and backline coaches

 

[Supersuns]

After watching the press conference after the game do we expect a coaching staff change?

Interesting that other clubs have their line coaches then a raft of other specialist non game day coaches.

Hearing Brad Johnson on the radio the other night he is a set shot coach at the bulldogs 1 or 2 days a week
Cam Mooney is similar at the giants
Dermott Brereton used to be forward craft coach a couple days a week at GWS then the saints

The suns have seemed to always just had the same handful of snr coach forward midfield and backline coaches

I would hope there is a large change going forward. Because who/what we have clearly isn't the answer. Need some really quality experienced assistants in, not an easy thing to find but I believe it's needed. Grigg surely can't stay midfield coach, it went from being our major strength to something that got beaten more often than not. I'd like some coaches from different systems to come in, so its not just all Richmond flavoured, I can't watch us kick it wide and long everytime again.

 

[KaySwizzle]

After watching the press conference after the game do we expect a coaching staff change?

Interesting that other clubs have their line coaches then a raft of other specialist non game day coaches.

Hearing Brad Johnson on the radio the other night he is a set shot coach at the bulldogs 1 or 2 days a week
Cam Mooney is similar at the giants
Dermott Brereton used to be forward craft coach a couple days a week at GWS then the saints

The suns have seemed to always just had the same handful of snr coach forward midfield and backline coaches

Easy to get ex players or coaches to be extra part time coaches when they just do it one or two days a week to top up some income or stay connected to a club/AFL.

I just don’t think we have the same level of availability up here to do that.

 

[robo_1]

Easy to get ex players or coaches to be extra part time coaches when they just do it one or two days a week to top up some income or stay connected to a club/AFL.

I just don’t think we have the same level of availability up here to do that.

Cameron mooney flies to Sydney to do the coaching. You don’t need a local for 1 or 2 days training
Wayne Campbell is still partly based in Sydney

 

[KaySwizzle]

Cameron mooney flies to Sydney to do the coaching. You don’t need a local for 1 or 2 days training
Wayne Campbell is still partly based in Sydney

Sydney to Melb is slightly more convenient than Melb to GC. So yes, it’s possible—but you can’t deny it is just far more difficult than getting in a car and driving 10 mins to Western Bulldogs.

 

[The Victorian]

Jimmy Tsitas will stay on with the Suns as a tackling coach and Academy assistant

Why delisted Sun is certain Gold Coast are primed for success under Hardwick

“He doesn’t accept mediocrity.”

www.sen.com.au

 

[GC2015]

I reckon this deserves a mention. Dimma now has a positive 13-12 win-loss record with us and this is the first time we've ever had a coach with a positive win-loss record (outside of Dew winning his first two games as coach) so that should definitely be acknowledged and the exciting part is we're nowhere near our ceiling. If you're not a Dimma believer by now then you probably need see someone to get your head checked. Undoubtedly the best signing we've ever pulled off in our history and I'd argue that includes Gary Ablett Jr.

 

[RowellAnderson12]

I reckon this deserves a mention. Dimma now has a positive 13-12 win-loss record with us and this is the first time we've ever had a coach with a positive win-loss record (outside of Dew winning his first two games as coach) so that should definitely be acknowledged and the exciting part is we're nowhere near our ceiling. If you're not a Dimma believer by now then you probably need see someone to get your head checked. Undoubtedly the best signing we've ever pulled off in our history and I'd argue that includes Gary Ablett Jr.

#sackdew was the right call

 

[Johnny Bananas]

#sackdew was the right call

The Lions are thankful for that decision too. Dew may not have been good enough as a head coach to turn the Suns around, but he's an excellent assistant coach, as he's proving again with us.

Glad to see the Suns putting it all together and both Queensland teams undefeated so far.

 

[SandyToes]

He came from Sydney where no-one had a bad word to say about him as an assistant
The Peter Principle

 

[robo_1]

He came from Sydney where no-one had a bad word to say about him as an assistant
The Peter Principle

Nothing against dew he done a pretty good job of turning the club around but small struggling clubs need a strong leader for
1. Take the pressure out of the criticism from outside
2. Demand high standards and give honest feedback knowing the difference between being mates and motivator

Look at north with clarko giants with Kingsley lions with fagan

For most of our existence our team have had zero confidence give up easy when the going gets tough

Now our players are hungry confident walk a bit taller just by having a strong leader

 

[Mini GF]

The whole thing with Jarryd Lyons was strange. I witnessed it once.

But yeah when it comes to maybe helping a 12 year old with his kicking technique or someone to have at a BBQ Dew holds his own well.

Seeing Hardwick and Hasler in the coach’s box is an unusual experience for me as a long time GC man. To have such stature gives me a sense of calm at times and reassurance.

I know people will say “what about Rocket”, but to me when he was appointed he was way past it, he’d never won a GF and he smelled to me of someone topping up their Super. He was talking us down and protecting his job literally from game 1.

 

[SandyToes]

The whole thing with Jarryd Lyons was strange. I witnessed it once.

But yeah when it comes to maybe helping a 12 year old with his kicking technique or someone to have at a BBQ Dew holds his own well.

Seeing Hardwick and Hasler in the coach’s box is an unusual experience for me as a long time GC man. To have such stature gives me a sense of calm at times and reassurance.

I know people will say “what about Rocket”, but to me when he was appointed he was way past it, he’d never won a GF and he smelled to me of someone topping up their Super. He was talking us down and protecting his job literally from game 1.

Rocket knew the game and the players inside out.He just never bought in to the Club.
Possibly reasons for that.We were pretty hamstrung early on with facilities,funding sponsorship etc.
He certainly didn't help himself by living between Melbourne and Gold Coast.
But we will always have this.
And as we all know as far as iconic Suns photos go it is truly.....................
"Pleasing"

 

[SUNS]

Rocket knew the game and the players inside out.He just never bought in to the Club.
Possibly reasons for that.We were pretty hamstrung early on with facilities,funding sponsorship etc.
He certainly didn't help himself by living between Melbourne and Gold Coast.
But we will always have this.
And as we all know as far as iconic Suns photos go it is truly.....................
"Pleasing"
View attachment 2266330

Hahahahaha - Pleasing!