Mick's Desperation.

[Snag Breac]

I heard Mick on SEN earlier - fascinating. This man's entire being is focused on winning a flag.

I missed the start of the interview, came in when he was talking about how the euphoria of winning evaporates even before he gets down to the rooms. He says he immediately turns his mind to the next game. No rest, no respite.

He said when he won the flag at West Coast, the overwhelming feeling was one of relief.

He says he's always thinking of what could go wrong, but that "Maxwell balances me out (my pessimism) very well."

When asked about players getting ahead of themselves, he said the whole team was very focused on the process - what had to be done, step by step, to win the next game. And the thought of a depth player coming in to replace them concentrated their minds wonderfully. (slight paraphrase here)

He'd very keen to get Fraser his 200. He also said he doesn't involve players in selection at all, because that would be placing too much of a burden on them - having to be objective and take everything into account.

If anyone thinks desire lessens as you age, listen to Mick talk about the task before him now, and the way he's living from game to game.

Old Spice will probably be happy to down-pod the upload and PM it to everyone on thecig's secret sharer list. Won't you Spicy?

 

[Kirby]

Nice summary there Snag!

 

[Kirby]

Here's what I posted on another thread on his comments about selection:

MM said on SEN this morning that there would only be 1 or 2 changes to this weeks side, then sort of realised what he said and then said "or maybe more". It sounded like a couple of the outs from last week are not yet ready to come back in.

He gave no further hints as to who though so can't help you there.

He basically also said that they are keen to get Josh to his 200th and it seemed to me he was thinking in next 2 weeks and practically admitted that sentimentality played a part in this decision. I got the distinct impression that they are thinking of gifting him a game in one of next 2 games and then that will be it for him barring injury.

 

[jonty15]

He was very impressive this morning... The best coach by a mile in the last 12 months...

Interesting his comments on Ben Cousins... Could he fit into Collingwood on a part-time basis next season? Highly doubt he would stay at Richmond in a coaching capacity, as much as I'd like him to. Just seems as though there is a fair bit of mutual respect there and if Sidebottom, Beams and co. could learn of him in a midfield capacity... Sky's the limit

 

[lgarth80]

Here's what I posted on another thread on his comments about selection:

MM said on SEN this morning that there would only be 1 or 2 changes to this weeks side, then sort of realised what he said and then said "or maybe more". It sounded like a couple of the outs from last week are not yet ready to come back in.

He gave no further hints as to who though so can't help you there.

He basically also said that they are keen to get Josh to his 200th and it seemed to me he was thinking in next 2 weeks and practically admitted that sentimentality played a part in this decision. I got the distinct impression that they are thinking of gifting him a game in one of next 2 games and then that will be it for him barring injury.

Much as it might sound sentimental to bring Josh back, after seeing Medhurst struggle to get into it, "gifting" our second ruck a game before the finals is as much tactical as anything.

I know we are saying 'screw it' and keep the momentum up, but I just see a bit of room for ensuring that the players on the fringe - which could include both Wood and Fraser - all get another AFL game in the leadup to the finals.

Then, we can hit the finals ready in case we have the dreaded ruck injury curse that has ruined our previous campaigns.

For mine, I'd be getting Wood or Fraser a game before the end of the year, and it doesn't matter much to me which one it is. Just one to up their tempo

On Mick, when he's been paid $8m by the club over the time, I think so he should be desperate. It's good to see the club go to another level this year, however, and Mick should take some of the credit for developing his team around him.

 

[mattys123]

It's amazing what a "time limit" on you coaching life at a club does to ones motivation.

MM had never really traded for any big names prior to this year, yet this year he went after Jolly, and wanted Ball desperately.

Mick knows that if he leaves Collingwood without a flag, it will forever "stain" his record, yet if he can pull one off, he becomes "immortal" in the eyes of Collingwood people, joining the likes of Kyne, McHale and Matthews as the "great coaches" of our club.

I'd be wrapt for MM to win a flag, obviously as it is for us, but also for him, he puts his heart and soul into coaching, and hopefully he gets his wishes fulfilled, and ours too.

A desperate coach is better then a "relaxed coach" IMO.

 

[half_back_flank]

A man on a mission.

 

[handy point]

Never ever have I doubted this man's dedication.

His methods, sometimes.

But never the intent.

Onya, Mick.

 

[magpiewarrior]

It's amazing what a "time limit" on you coaching life at a club does to ones motivation.

MM had never really traded for any big names prior to this year, yet this year he went after Jolly, and wanted Ball desperately.

Mick knows that if he leaves Collingwood without a flag, it will forever "stain" his record, yet if he can pull one off, he becomes "immortal" in the eyes of Collingwood people, joining the likes of Kyne, McHale and Matthews as the "great coaches" of our club.

I'd be wrapt for MM to win a flag, obviously as it is for us, but also for him, he puts his heart and soul into coaching, and hopefully he gets his wishes fulfilled, and ours too.
When MM came to us, he said that his aim was to turn us into the Man U of AFL (personally I hate the Man U of the EPL), well look at our list now and consider how much improvement our 1st 22 still has in it & you could argue that he is well on the way to achieving his goal. In my eyes MM already has immortallity.

 

[Vendrell]

It's amazing what a "time limit" on you coaching life at a club does to ones motivation.

MM had never really traded for any big names prior to this year, yet this year he went after Jolly, and wanted Ball desperately.

Mick knows that if he leaves Collingwood without a flag, it will forever "stain" his record, yet if he can pull one off, he becomes "immortal" in the eyes of Collingwood people, joining the likes of Kyne, McHale and Matthews as the "great coaches" of our club.

I'd be wrapt for MM to win a flag, obviously as it is for us, but also for him, he puts his heart and soul into coaching, and hopefully he gets his wishes fulfilled, and ours too.

A desperate coach is better then a "relaxed coach" IMO.

Great post. I've been telling people this all year. The best part about the succession plan isn't that we get Buckley but, that Mick has a deadline on a premiership which has forced him to swallow his pride and finally make some bold moves.

 

[Markfs]

A coach who has the full support of the administration ......and the fans to some degree.... is a coach that will get the best out of the team..

Matthew Knights would be a little desperate at the moment. I wouldnt have thought his efforts last friday against us were anything to marvel at..

Worsfold would be pretty desperate to avoid the wooden spoon...both Knights and him are halfway out the door.... I would reckon that both are pretty desperate at the moment....but their coaching doesnt seem to be improving..

 

[soreplums]

Anyone else think that MM's role as the "Analyst" on SEN has been a real positive for us as it has allowed him to see even more of the opposition's strength and weaknesses?

 

[Cousin of Daicos]

It's amazing what a "time limit" on you coaching life at a club does to ones motivation.

MM had never really traded for any big names prior to this year, yet this year he went after Jolly, and wanted Ball desperately.

Mick knows that if he leaves Collingwood without a flag, it will forever "stain" his record, yet if he can pull one off, he becomes "immortal" in the eyes of Collingwood people, joining the likes of Kyne, McHale and Matthews as the "great coaches" of our club.

I'd be wrapt for MM to win a flag, obviously as it is for us, but also for him, he puts his heart and soul into coaching, and hopefully he gets his wishes fulfilled, and ours too.

A desperate coach is better then a "relaxed coach" IMO.

Pretty much my thoughts.

I constantly wonder whether he'd be going this hard, and whether we'd be doing this well if the succession plan WASN'T in place.

If that WAS the case, then that begs some interesting questions no doubt.

 

[Kirby]

A coach who has the full support of the administration ......and the fans to some degree.... is a coach that will get the best out of the team..

I agree. Support and focus are the two vital ingredients.

 

[Al Scorcho]

Anyone else think that MM's role as the "Analyst" on SEN has been a real positive for us as it has allowed him to see even more of the opposition's strength and weaknesses?

not sure, but it's great to listen to him!
In his media conferences he hardly offers anything, but on SEN he really opens up, either about collingwood or the opposition, and he offers some amazing insights