EaglesFlyingHigh.com
Senior List
http://westcoast.rivals.net/default.asp?sid=1523&p=2&stid=8195762
Star full forward of the early 90's Peter Sumich has rejoined the Eagles as part of the coaching staff. His return adds to the class reunion feeling as new coach John Worsfold pulls his old team-mates back into the fold.
With Worsfold's successor as skipper Guy McKenna also an Assistant Coach, three of the top four coaching positions are now held by the Captain and members of the Eagles 1992 and 1994 Premiership teams. On top of that, a man who was an Assistant Coach at that time, and a former Eagles player himself, Rob Wiley, is still around in that job, Premiership player Michael Brennan is Chairman of Selectors, and yet another ex-player Andy Lovell is the team runner.
They undoubtedly made a great team a decade ago, and as individuals no-one questions their potential to meet with great success in this new stage of their football careers.
But when it comes to building a team, almost their only experience is with the Mick Malthouse school of success. And while it can't be argued that that's a very handy bit of experience to have, a little bit of diversity might come in handy as well.
It's difficult to see where the new and original ideas needed to get an edge in AFL football are going to come from if the good ol' boys slip comfortably back into 1994. Coming from such similar playing backgrounds, there may not be enough questioning of the accepted wisdom. No-one will be saying "well, we used to do it this way...", because everyone else there did it the same way. Outside ideas may find it difficult to penetrate this coaching circle.
On the positive side, there will be a level of trust and teamwork within this group which should be second to no other AFL team. Worsfold won't need to waste any team getting his coaching team settled; he'll be able to trust his assistants to know where he's coming from right from the start.
Very few champion players have gone on to become champion coaches at their own club. But I don't think anyone's ever tried turning a whole era of champion players into a coaching structure. The coming year will be watched with great interest by Eagles fans as well as by every other AFL club.
I just hope we don't come out of this bold experiment in nepotism with some hard earned and very worthy reputations in tatters.
http://westcoast.rivals.net/default.asp?sid=1523&p=2&stid=8195762
Star full forward of the early 90's Peter Sumich has rejoined the Eagles as part of the coaching staff. His return adds to the class reunion feeling as new coach John Worsfold pulls his old team-mates back into the fold.
With Worsfold's successor as skipper Guy McKenna also an Assistant Coach, three of the top four coaching positions are now held by the Captain and members of the Eagles 1992 and 1994 Premiership teams. On top of that, a man who was an Assistant Coach at that time, and a former Eagles player himself, Rob Wiley, is still around in that job, Premiership player Michael Brennan is Chairman of Selectors, and yet another ex-player Andy Lovell is the team runner.
They undoubtedly made a great team a decade ago, and as individuals no-one questions their potential to meet with great success in this new stage of their football careers.
But when it comes to building a team, almost their only experience is with the Mick Malthouse school of success. And while it can't be argued that that's a very handy bit of experience to have, a little bit of diversity might come in handy as well.
It's difficult to see where the new and original ideas needed to get an edge in AFL football are going to come from if the good ol' boys slip comfortably back into 1994. Coming from such similar playing backgrounds, there may not be enough questioning of the accepted wisdom. No-one will be saying "well, we used to do it this way...", because everyone else there did it the same way. Outside ideas may find it difficult to penetrate this coaching circle.
On the positive side, there will be a level of trust and teamwork within this group which should be second to no other AFL team. Worsfold won't need to waste any team getting his coaching team settled; he'll be able to trust his assistants to know where he's coming from right from the start.
Very few champion players have gone on to become champion coaches at their own club. But I don't think anyone's ever tried turning a whole era of champion players into a coaching structure. The coming year will be watched with great interest by Eagles fans as well as by every other AFL club.
I just hope we don't come out of this bold experiment in nepotism with some hard earned and very worthy reputations in tatters.
http://westcoast.rivals.net/default.asp?sid=1523&p=2&stid=8195762
I know a certain former telespinner is pretty excited about the thought of a Jordan Matera - Sonny Kemp - Zac Mainwaring West Coast centreline in 18 years time, and Bluey (Jesse), Whoosha (Charlie) and Suma ( 
) have all done their part, as well as Monkey, Lamby and I think Pyke..... and well Jako's only young, he'll get it right next time... 
