Palmer Interview

[tacopavlich]

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/sport/a/-/afl/12059213/why-i-left-fremantle-palmer/

His worsening relationship with the coach ultimately helped trigger his call to leave.
"It was really good at the start, like a father-son combination for a few years," Palmer said.
"He always rode me hard, but things definitely changed and I wasn't his No.1 boy anymore as I might have been in the first couple of years.
"That's fine because you have to prove yourself every year, but the little things I was trying to do that got me to where I was obviously weren't impressing him anymore.
"He felt there were a few things in my game that I needed to work on and I totally agreed with him. But sometimes you just felt that no matter what I did, it wasn't right and there wasn't a meeting point in the middle where we could talk about it.
"The communication wasn't good, but I think he could still be a really good coach because of his knowledge about the game.

Pretty much blaming Harv's / Freo for him leaving. Strange move from him imo.

 

[BananaOnTheRun]

Harvs had his favorites, though. You can't have that bias in professional sport.

 

[electricfeel]

Well that's how I would see it too. Harv's definitely had a play in driving him out. One of the most frustrating things to watch in season 2011, was Harvey constantly playing Palmer at HFF where absolutely nothing would happen. Palmer played like two games in the midfield and did a good job, but was immediately shafted to the forward line the week after.

Maybe I'm still bitter because Palmer was one of my favourites.

 

[inferno66]

I thought Keplar was another that didn't get a fair go from Harvey this year.

 

[yakka man]

Provided all that is true then thank god Harvery is gone! I mean in the end we basically swapped Palmer for Hayden Crozier which doesn't seem like a bad result. But the mental aspect of the game is more important than fitness and if you feel that no matter what you do the coach is still not going to reward you or give you games then what is the point?

I certainly understand what Palmer was going through and feel bad that Harvey didn't help him. It sounds like he basically alienated him from the group. If Palmer all of a sudden stars at GWS then Harvey will feel like a tool. However it could go the opposite way.

 

[greatgatsby]

This is further proof of the wisdom of the coaching change. I'm not fussed about losing Palmer - I'll take Crozier thanks and don't we also now have protection against losing another uncontracted player to GWS?

But Palmer's comments are thoughtful and point to serious issues with Harvey's capacity to communicate and work with players on a consistent basis: "But sometimes you just felt that no matter what I did, it wasn't right and there wasn't a meeting point in the middle where we could talk about it."

I'm guessing Palmer might have a strong year at GWS and certainly stand out until their young players come to grips with it.

 

[Scham]

I thought Keplar was another that didn't get a fair go from Harvey this year.

Yeah, you're right. That was strange because in Harves first two years he played Kep when seemingly he didn't really deserve a spot and then when his form was deserving of a spot he didn't get the opportunities.

And Palmer is saying sort of the same thing about Harve's very inconsistant behaviour.

 

[Freo88]

Putting 2 and 2 together over the last year and a half we basically knew this already didnt we? It was evident harves and palmer didnt get along from the positions he was being played in as well as starting sub/being subbed off time and time again. I thought palmer conducted himself well in that interview- he could've said anything, though i think he was measured in how he said it.

I wonder if he has any regrets now though as the coaching structure has changed. I wouldve thought so.

 

[Selggad]

Good interview. Certainly no indication he has tabs on himself as has been suggested on occasions. He actually came across as a pretty level headed and humble young man. Good luck to him.

 

[PapaJ]

Nothing ground breaking, but just some confirmation on what we suspected. I wish he was given more chance in the midfield, and though I like the early look of Crozier, Palmer in full flight will still be a good quality midfielder when things all settle down.

Slightly off topic, but the following quote caught my eye:

"I thought I'd play for Fremantle for the rest of my life, play 200 games and be involved in their first premiership. It just didn't fall into place how I would have liked it to and how I thought it was going to happen.


...


"To leave a powerhouse club, all my mates and my family as well was a massive decision. But I felt that I had to move on and I think I made the right decision."

Forgetting Palmer for a moment, it gives us an incite into the mentality of the young guys going through. They really do see Freo as a power club and believe in the reality of a premiership ... now many players from many clubs would be saying that, but it's still good to hear. The appointment of Lyon would obviously strengthen that image I'm sure.

 

[Purple Jesus]

Wonder if he's regretting it a little since he would have made the decision to leave before Ross was appointed.

 

[Selggad]

Slightly off topic, but the following quote caught my eye:


Forgetting Palmer for a moment, it gives us an incite into the mentality of the young guys going through. They really do see Freo as a power club and believe in the reality of a premiership ... now many players from many clubs would be saying that, but it's still good to hear. The appointment of Lyon would obviously strengthen that image I'm sure.

I had the same reaction when i saw those parts of the interview. It is very encourgaing as a supporter to hear that kind of belief withn the playing group.

 

[dominguez]

Palmer told thewest.com.au that after winning 24 possessions in a round-23 loss to Collingwood last season he was treating Fremantle's final game for the season against the Western Bulldogs as the match which could rekindle his fire.


I hate how they lie and pretend they decided post-season when we all knew he was going six months ago.

Will start okay next year but I can see Coniglio and Co taking his starting midfield spot be seasons end. A four(?) year deal for Palmer was a massive gamble IMO.

Harvs had his favorites, though. You can't have that bias in professional sport.

Lyon visited Riewoldt and Lenny Hayes before boarding the plane to Perth so he obviously had his favourites too.

 

[Selggad]

Lyon visited Riewoldt and Lenny Hayes before boarding the plane to Perth so he obviously had his favourites too.

They are the two main club leaders. May have been professional courtesy.

 

[Droppa Grogan]

Thought it was a very well said, in a positive manner, by Palmer. Made me a bit more sorry that he's gone. He really did love the club and want to be here - and I think he had the skills too.

Oh well, I think Crozier could be even more special, but will always have a soft spot for Rhys.

 

[Arcassius]

I think Neale (and perhaps Sheridan) will be more the drop in replacement to the in and under role Palmer should have been playing

 

[Fred Ziffel]

This is further proof of the wisdom of the coaching change. I'm not fussed about losing Palmer - I'll take Crozier thanks and don't we also now have protection against losing another uncontracted player to GWS?

But Palmer's comments are thoughtful and point to serious issues with Harvey's capacity to communicate and work with players on a consistent basis: "But sometimes you just felt that no matter what I did, it wasn't right and there wasn't a meeting point in the middle where we could talk about it."

I'm guessing Palmer might have a strong year at GWS and certainly stand out until their young players come to grips with it.

I know for a fact it was far worse than Rhys has said in this interview.

Rhys has shown admirable restraint in his comments .

It's impossible not to think Jack Anthony was another to be poorly managed by the coach.

Ultimately, I think the stance Mark took with Rhys contributed significantly to his own demise.

Ironically, Ross Lyon's communication skills is one of his major strengths and is where we can look forward to seeing the biggest improvement within the club. This article has highlighted how crucial the personal relationship between the coach and players is in the modern game.

Rhys Palmer has now joined Paul Medhurst as another Freo player whose career has been destroyed by a coach..... a shame really.

 

[theGav56]

Very interested to see if there is a response from the club or Harvey. The season played out as if Palmer's leaving was already in place. True or not? That makes a massive difference to his treatment.

 

[DOCKERZ]

Echoing most sentiments, thought it a good interview and well said by Rhys. Confirmed what most had thought, shame he didn't have more support from the leadership group that might have been in a position to have a quiet word with Harves re his actions towards Rhys.

Don't think the club needs to respond, Rhys seemingly still fond of the club itself, just not a former employee.

 

[Fred Ziffel]

Very interested to see if there is a response from the club or Harvey. The season played out as if Palmer's leaving was already in place. True or not? That makes a massive difference to his treatment.

How could Rhys' treatment have been justified under any circumstances , let alone in a year where we were totally decimated by injury ?

The season got off to a ridiculous start when Rhys was forced to complete 30 minutes of 150 metre sprints on Subi oval immediately after the Geelong game.

Rhys was substitute in that game and came on late in the third qtr and still got about 15 possessions. This was round two and after he was subbed out of the game in Brisbane in round one.

This was a vindictive campaign against Rhys Palmer.

 

[Fred Ziffel]

Echoing most sentiments, thought it a good interview and well said by Rhys. Confirmed what most had thought, shame he didn't have more support from the leadership group that might have been in a position to have a quiet word with Harves re his actions towards Rhys.

Don't think the club needs to respond, Rhys seemingly still fond of the club itself, just not a former employee.

This is definitely the case .

 

[theGav56]

How could Rhys' treatment have been justified under any circumstances , let alone in a year where we were totally decimated by injury ?

The season got off to a ridiculous start when Rhys was forced to complete 30 minutes of 150 metre sprints on Subi oval immediately after the Geelong game.

Rhys was substitute in that game and came on late in the third qtr and still got about 15 possessions. This was round two and after he was subbed out of the game in Brisbane in round one.

This was a vindictive campaign against Rhys Palmer.

If he had already signed with GWS, which is a real possibility, then it is in the clubs interests to move away from making Palmer a core part of the midfield. You are talking about a vindictive campaign, and I am giving the only plausible reason for what we saw occur. Got another theory, or do you think it was his haircut Harvey didn't like?

I also thought it was not uncommon for substitutes to do some post game training. You are posting that he was "forced" to. Well if that is part of the clubs training regime so what?

 

[yakka man]

It makes you wonder. We didn't offer Palmer a new contract for 2012 onwards. The season was over and I am curious if the club had decided on dumping Harvey. If they had then obviously were happy to see the back of Palmer. If not then they may have wanted to try and convince Palmer to stay. Regardless, it doesn't sound like Harve's gave him much of a chance.

 

[believe_it]

I think even though Harvey is gone it's good for Palmer to be over there out of the spotlight. He was dropped at times when he shouldn't have been - I mean he wasn't doing a Fevola or an MJ or anything. If there is a communication problem it's up to the coach to remedy - clearly he wanted to be a part of Freo.

Bradley , even though I always thought him a spud, did not deserve his non- selection after a great start to the year. You have to reward achievement and be consistent.

You never know he Palmer may come back one day - hope he does well next year.

 

[Nickos66]

Wonder if he's regretting it a little since he would have made the decision to leave before Ross was appointed.

If he could have known what was about to take place in the coaching ranks at this club, I'd love to know if he'd have still pulled the trigger. Or even just what he thinks his opportunities under Ross would've been, i guess a hard Q to answer though.. You can't help but wonder what could've been.

Lyon visited Riewoldt and Lenny Hayes before boarding the plane to Perth so he obviously had his favourites too.

If Our coach chose to walk you'd think he'd go and talk to our captain and co also. This would've been like Paying respects to Pav & Sandi or something. Not exactly the same as favouritism.


I really hope Palmer has a successful and prominent year in the guts at GWS next year and who knows, if he has say the career of a Simon Black or someone still powering on maybe we might see him back over here again one day when he's matured and hardened.