Coach Fages and the coaching group

[scoman]

Where were Neale, Lyons and Clugga when clearances were needed? Where was Harris with his go go gadget arms? Couldnt even contain Melksham let alone impact elsewhere!! Zorko busting a gut to get into space for Wilmot or pushing into a stoppage to lay a tackle or hack it forward? Gunston back to stem the flow, did he even touch the ball or provide a short target? For shame leaders! For shame!!!

 

[dlanod]

Yes it is staggering.

Apparently there were Demons supporters leaving half way through the last quarter, that's how much better we were looking, I posted at 3/4 time that we only needed 2-3 goals in the last to win it, we pulled up stumps after 1.

There were some leaving just before 3/4 time, to beat the rush of those leaving at 3/4 time.

 

[Squizz89]

Question to others. If we didn’t give Fages the extension before the season and remained off contract at this stage of the season like Kenny, do we think other teams would be making a play for him?

 

[briztoon]

Said it once will say it again. Fages was bought in to do a job, which was to stem the tide of players leaving, build the list up and make us relevant again. His man management skills were perfect for this role. Unfortunately, a tactician he is not.

I’m with TBD on this one, a solid prelim final is the pass mark from here given the recruits we bought in during the off-season.

If he can’t get the team to achieve that then we need to get ruthless, thank Fages for the extraordinary gift he’s given the club in making us relevant again and bring in a tactician coach who can hopefully take us to the next level.

We are slowly but surely running out of time in this premiership window. Things are only likely to get harder in a few years as have to move out of the Gabba etc. It won’t be to long before we are heading down to rebuild and back to crowds of 15k again, especially in a non AFL state, we don’t have the luxury of doing deals like Geelong get away with.

We need to strike whilst we have the chance.

I don’t think we’ll head down for a rebuild. We’ve got enough talent coming through from the academy in the short term, to transition from Neale, Lyons and Dunkley, to a midfield led by the two Ashcroft’s.

Just need to find some KPF’s.

 

[buttermuffs]

Where were Neale, Lyons and Clugga when clearances were needed? Where was Harris with his go go gadget arms? Couldnt even contain Melksham let alone impact elsewhere!! Zorko busting a gut to get into space for Wilmot or pushing into a stoppage to lay a tackle or hack it forward? Gunston back to stem the flow, did he even touch the ball or provide a short target? For shame leaders! For shame!!!

I remember Gunston providing options down back a couple times but at that point all of our players were spooked from doing anything risky so went long down the line every time.

 

[martinson]

I remember Gunston providing options down back a couple times but at that point all of our players were spooked from doing anything risky so went long down the line every time.

The message from the coaches to the players should be if you want to win big games against top opposition you need to seize the opportunities and keep the foot on the throat.

Maybe that's what they are telling them but I wonder. Good players instinctively know what to do and we have plenty of them who did the opposite so it's a bit bamboozling as to why they do things that would normally go against their natural instinct.

Strangely I'm a bit buoyed by last night's loss and maybe it's the learnings everyone at the club needed to finish off the year with no fear.

 

[buttermuffs]

The message from the coaches to the players should be if you want to win big games against top opposition you need to seize the opportunities and keep the foot on the throat.

Maybe that's what they are telling them but I wonder. Good players instinctively know what to do and we have plenty of them who did the opposite so it's a bit bamboozling as to why they do things that would normally go against their natural instinct.

Strangely I'm a bit buoyed by last night's loss and maybe it's the learnings everyone at the club needed to finish off the year with no fear.

I remember Charlie taking a hanger and telling everyone to slow down when the overlap was on. Is a bit frustrating in hindsight to say the least. 100% there still needed to a commitment to play with speed out of defence. A lot of intercept marks only to spend ten seconds letting Melbourne set up their defensive structure. Needed to take the mark and immediately look for the switch on the other side. I reckon maybe Gunston should have been at the edge of the centre square to provide an immediate leading option to switch to. Just get it over to the space on the other side and we’d probably have much more success finding a short/medium kick out.

 

[martinson]

I remember Charlie taking a hanger and telling everyone to slow down when the overlap was on. Is a bit frustrating in hindsight to say the least. 100% there still needed to a commitment to play with speed out of defence. A lot of intercept marks only to spend ten seconds letting Melbourne set up their defensive structure. Needed to take the mark and immediately look for the switch on the other side. I reckon maybe Gunston should have been at the edge of the centre square to provide an immediate leading option to switch to. Just get it over to the space on the other side and we’d probably have much more success finding a short/medium kick out.

Yes. We had it in our heads to save the game instead of playing to win it. It led to some comical errors.

We must know we're good enough. So play like we are for the whole game.

 

[Squizz89]

I reckon Charlie didn’t mind that mark being all about Charlie if I’m being honest and slowing it down would have just highlighted that. He wouldn’t admit to it of course, but it wouldn’t be the first time we’ve seen him do that and his “me, me, me” attitude has certainly reared its head the last couple of weeks, giving teammates a bake etc. No surprise it’s coincided with his drop in form.

 

[golions]

I don't know whether Fagan's frustrating press conferences where he trots out stats and ignores more blatant issues is head in the sand stuff or theatrics.

I really hope it is not head in the sand stuff because we are in real trouble if that is the case.

If it is theatrics then it is borderline disrespectful to fans because the pressers are most fans only opportunity for insights as to what is going on within the club, and while he can't give away everything, the least he can be is honest after a demoralising loss. Take a look at how Craig McRae

Craig Mcrae

Age

52

Ht

176cm

Wt

73kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

12.9

3star

K

9.0

3star

HB

3.9

3star

M

2.4

3star

T

1.9

4star

G

1.2

4star

No current season stats available

D

16.2

4star

K

10.6

4star

HB

5.6

4star

M

1.8

2star

T

1.2

3star

G

1.4

5star

goes about it - he's genuine in his pressers - and it's not like he's given away trade secrets by being genuine because most clubs haven't found a way to beat the Pies. Fagan seems a very genuine person in all other respects so why not be so in the pressers?

e.g. from last nights game, instead of going on about contested possession stats, why not say we actually dominated large parts of the game and but couldn't close it out. And acknowledge it has happened a few times and that's what we will focus on and work on - just like McRae says after most close wins that they genuinely practice close finish scenarios at training and it obviously pays off in games.

It doesn't need to be all negative either - because we really did dominate those 2nd and 3rd quarters and played fantastic quality football and Fagan deserves a lot of credit for that - just honest, balanced and genuine.

 

[Hollow Knight]

Question to others. If we didn’t give Fages the extension before the season and remained off contract at this stage of the season like Kenny, do we think other teams would be making a play for him?

Maybe not as a coach because of his age but definitely would have clubs wanting him as a head of football or director of coaching.

 

[martinson]

I don't know whether Fagan's frustrating press conferences where he trots out stats and ignores more blatant issues is head in the sand stuff or theatrics.

I really hope it is not head in the sand stuff because we are in real trouble if that is the case.

If it is theatrics then it is borderline disrespectful to fans because the pressers are most fans only opportunity for insights as to what is going on within the club, and while he can't give away everything, the least he can be is honest after a demoralising loss. Take a look at how Craig McRae goes about it - he's genuine in his pressers - and it's not like he's given away trade secrets by being genuine because most clubs haven't found a way to beat the Pies. Fagan seems a very genuine person in all other respects so why not be so in the pressers?

e.g. from last nights game, instead of going on about contested possession stats, why not say we actually dominated large parts of the game and but couldn't close it out. And acknowledge it has happened a few times and that's what we will focus on and work on - just like McRae says after most close wins that they genuinely practice close finish scenarios at training and it obviously pays off in games.

It doesn't need to be all negative either - because we really did dominate those 2nd and 3rd quarters and played fantastic quality football and Fagan deserves a lot of credit for that - just honest, balanced and genuine.

I can't believe one journo didn't ask why did you go so defensive so early in the last quarter.

I know they would've got their head shot off but the mickey mouse questions he got asked makes me wonder if any of these guys watched the game. Or knew what they were watching if they did.

They were happy to serve it up to Kenny and Brad Scott for years but Fages seems to have perfected the stare that tells them to steer clear.

 

[Gadzorks]

Question to others. If we didn’t give Fages the extension before the season and remained off contract at this stage of the season like Kenny, do we think other teams would be making a play for him?

Absolutely. He is a master club builder. Any clubs starting a rebuild would be love him

 

[braddsey]

You see it all the times at games live at the Gabba - no doubt no different anywhere else - but Charlie rarely seems happy when one of his teammates is in the spotlight kicking goals or the like - its as if that unless hes the man, he resents it being others - hard to say thats not the case with his body language and obviousness of not being happy for his mate. Its the only thing I dislike about the great man b/c hes amazing in everytng else he does - just needs to get his mo back.

I think Charlie has a bit of “resting bitch face” when he plays. Rarely smiles, but happy for others to score.

I remember Charlie taking a hanger and telling everyone to slow down when the overlap was on. Is a bit frustrating in hindsight to say the least. 100% there still needed to a commitment to play with speed out of defence. A lot of intercept marks only to spend ten seconds letting Melbourne set up their defensive structure. Needed to take the mark and immediately look for the switch on the other side. I reckon maybe Gunston should have been at the edge of the centre square to provide an immediate leading option to switch to. Just get it over to the space on the other side and we’d probably have much more success finding a short/medium kick out.

Hipwood took a mark in about the same spot, Joe and someone else were steaming into the 50. But he stopped, slowed it down Melbourne filled the space…

 

[Gibbo_88]

I'm still of the mind we go hard at the best quality assistants we can find. I know there are financial difficulties here and it may be that a high quality assistant (former head coach or a next in line type) might create a narrative we are preparing a succession plan, but we have to add some quality one way or another. I will be bitterly disappointed if we didn't make some moves for next year. It's just too comfortable and stale imho.

What are you basing this on?

99% of people on here have very little idea what goes on in the club. How do you know we don't already have quality? Why are the assistant coaches not good enough? Why is changing them going to make the difference?

 

[3KZ is Football]

Not enough contested marks for 3KZ - that was Lewy Taylor's problem too!

It was. That was another call I made that was mocked by the ‘Establishment Types’ but I was 100% correct, so I’m glad you brought that up. The list managers and I were in total agreement because they got McCarthy onto our list and gave Taylor the flick. Taylor is 5 ft 8 in and as a small forward at Brisbane he took 7 contested marks in six seasons. When I pointed out that he was deficient in this area, the ‘Establishment’ (who really do like to think they know better), tried to tell everyone Taylor was a small forward and his role didn’t include taking contested marks. Laugh out loud! Taylor was so incapable in this area he used to run away from marking contests to reduce the risk of having to try to take one. This lack of capacity was immediately rectified when we signed McCarthy, who is 5 ft 10 in and plays the same small forward role, except he has taken 55 contested marks in under five seasons at Brisbane. 3KZ nails it again, because he grew up supporting a VFL club, not the Brisbane Broncos and has been watching the game for the best part of sixty years.

 

[3KZ is Football]

I think Charlie has a bit of “resting bitch face” when he plays. Rarely smiles, but happy for others to score.

Hipwood took a mark in about the same spot, Joe and someone else were steaming into the 50. But he stopped, slowed it down Melbourne filled the space…

That was right in front of us. Terrible decision making from Hipwood.

 

[scoman]

What are you basing this on?

99% of people on here have very little idea what goes on in the club. How do you know we don't already have quality? Why are the assistant coaches not good enough? Why is changing them going to make the difference?

Im basing it on the CV's of our assistant coaches I guess.

I mean, which of our assistants are former AFL Head Coaches? Who of our assistants are likely to be considered for the Gold Coast position, the Richmond position or any other spot that becomes available over the next year or so?

If you compare our coaching staff to the likes of Collingwood and Melbourne:

Collingwood have Leppa and Bolton, both former AFL head coaches.

Melbourne have Alan Richardson (former AFL Coach), the vastly experienced and regarded Mark Williams (also a former AFL Coach) as well as Adam Yze, a guy likely to be an AFL coach within the next year or so.

 

[M Malice]

Refreshing the assistant coaching ranks is something that should be done regularly, we have a few assistants that have been around a long time, I would definitely be keen on Stuart Dew

Stuart Dew

Age

46

Ht

183cm

Wt

99kg

Pos.

M/F

Career

Season

Last 5

D

13.1

3star

K

9.1

4star

HB

4.0

3star

M

2.9

3star

T

1.7

4star

No current season stats available

D

12.2

3star

K

9.0

4star

HB

3.2

3star

M

2.8

3star

T

1.8

4star

if he was open to it, also Nigel Lappin would be great.

 

[Paul Mac]

I will give some slack to some who left early last night. The last trains leaving Jolimont on Hurstbridge line were going to be 10.50 due to works and then buses were taking over after this time. No one wants to be getting buses instead of trains on their way home especially when Marvel Stadium was packed with the soccer as well. I will give a little slack to some people.

 

[Paul Mac]

I remember Charlie taking a hanger and telling everyone to slow down when the overlap was on. Is a bit frustrating in hindsight to say the least. 100% there still needed to a commitment to play with speed out of defence. A lot of intercept marks only to spend ten seconds letting Melbourne set up their defensive structure. Needed to take the mark and immediately look for the switch on the other side. I reckon maybe Gunston should have been at the edge of the centre square to provide an immediate leading option to switch to. Just get it over to the space on the other side and we’d probably have much more success finding a short/medium kick out.

Yep spot on, Coleman was running past for the handball but just ignored it.

 

[BRAB]

What are you basing this on?

99% of people on here have very little idea what goes on in the club. How do you know we don't already have quality? Why are the assistant coaches not good enough? Why is changing them going to make the difference?

Many of our assistants are still around from the dark years. Given how everything else’s at the club was rotten I just doubt that our assistant coaching team was somehow the one shining light. The fact that none of our assistants have ever been linked to a senior coaching job probably shows how the competition rates them.

 

[Paul Mac]

A one point loss in a match of the year contender. Not the end of the world. Does not effect our chances in September.

Only my opinion but if the lions are to make the grand final i reckon we would have a better chance if we finish top 2 than finishing 3rd or 4th.?
Therefore IMO losing that game last night maybe will have an effect for September especially with Port getting their pants pulled down today.

 

[Nunez]

Only my opinion but if the lions are to make the grand final i reckon we would have a better chance if we finish top 2 than finishing 3rd or 4th.?
Therefore IMO losing that game last night maybe will have an effect for September especially with Port getting their pants pulled down today.

Tbh if we are going to win the flag we need to win away and think winning away week one does more for us than winning at home week one.

 

[Gadzorks]

I think Charlie has a bit of “resting bitch face” when he plays. Rarely smiles, but happy for others to score.

Hipwood took a mark in about the same spot, Joe and someone else were steaming into the 50. But he stopped, slowed it down Melbourne filled the space…

Charlie is intense but I've watched him at games. Definitely testing bitch face, but he always congratulations /pats on the back players for awesome work. Including the opposition.