Should Bomber go now?

[Pure_Ownage]

Ok, I have been thinking about many things since Friday night, including particularly, as we have been discussing on here, the need to regenerate and plan for the future.

I have been thinking about what I heard Cooky say on Friday night about us deciding whether to push for one more flag or rebuild, and I think that while we may have one more in us, we do need to transition, given we will lose 15 or so premiership players within the next 3 years.

Which brings me to this discussion point, which I'd like to get some feedback on, and hopefully don't get shot down in flames for.

Now I love Bomber, I'd like him to coach Geelong for another 5 years, maybe even another 10.

But if, as is beginning to look likely, he has decided 2011 will be his last year coaching (I don't believe he'll coach any other afl club) and there's nothing we can do to change his mind, should he really go on next year? Even for one more year, I'd like Bomber as coach, because I think he's the best man for the job, however the worry is if he's finishing after next year it becomes very hard for him to make the decisions we need for transition, and so maybe him staying would merely hold up the transition by 12 months, and with a new coach, we could begin it now?

I suppose there is the possibility he could do what Roos has done this year, which is push for a flag in his last year, but also with one eye on the future to what he'll leave for Longmire...however that was easy for Roos to do because he had the dual levers of trading (for 2010) and drafting (for the future) and due to our salary cap problems, Bomber doesn't have both levers, he only has the latter, and so hence transition would mean retiring/dropping blokes, which would be extremely hard for Bomber to do if 2011 is his last year, whereas a new coach who is planning to be here long term doesn't have the same obstacle to doing that.

So, while I'd love Bomber to stay, I am thinking if he has made his mind up to go, should he do it now? Discuss.

 

[Just do something]

On this, there is a big chance that he may not be at Geelong next year. I received a text on Fri night half way through first qtr from the same mate who allowed me to have a 20 min phone chat with bomber. My mate is selling the land at andersons creek for bomber and dodoro etc and his text went along the lines of if he can sell the land bomber will leave geelong and be director of coaching at Essendon. Hird will def coach the bombers but Hird understands that he has zero coaching experience. I have since had a phone conversation with my mate to tell him he is full of shit and he said he has it from the horses mouth. Essendon want Hird as the front man so they can get the dollars back into the club. they will also then have possibly Laidley as Hirds right hand man like Port had this year.

Bomber will have less stress as a director of coaching. he has also ive been told purchased a property in Port melbourne. The other thing is in bombers contract he has a get out clause so if he wants to walk away he does when he wants.

I dont have any reason not to belive my mate so we will have to just wait and see.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

I don't know whether your source is right or wrong, but in any case it's not what I was talking about, which is whether WE should have Bomber for one year (if he's definitely going after that) or whether our transition would be best served by bringing forward the change to the new coach (whoever that is) now.

What Bomber chooses to do with his life once he finishes up here is another issue entirely and completely up to him.

 

[Commando]

should he go on id expect it to be in a more supervisory role, with a view to have one of the assistants (or ex assistant) take over in 2012.

basically just a figurehead of the club.

 

[kanyewest]

No, I don't think so. The transition you speak of should not be too drastic, so I can't see why keeping Bomber around would hinder this.

Maybe it comes down to how big of a transition you think the club needs. Bomber has already said he thinks there will be 4-5 changes to our best 22 next year, and I think that's plenty - any more would be a complete overreaction. But I understand why people think Bomber should go, especially if they think next season is the start of a new chapter for the Cats.

As to the poster who says he has some inside info on the Dons next year, I reckon that situation sounds like a disaster.

 

[Boxhead_31]

Think he should do the Director of Coaching role here for the year.
Let Sando do the day to day stuff and let Bomba be a sounding board / guiding hand for Sando.

This would allow Bomba to do some of his property developing things with the free time he will have whilst exposing Sando to the ninty gritty of coaching full time but with the security of Bomba being there when needed

 

[i_need_a_pencil]

Ablett for captain coach!... then we could pay him his normal salary, and Bombers.

But considering Sando is most likely next coach, and he'd probably share some major similarities with Bomber, then probably won't hurt us to have Bomber round for another year, especially if its the first year of the 'rebuild' (Gary allowing).

I'm for transition of the playing group, and of the coaching group.

 

[vinum coupe]

I don't have time to read you Op right now PO.
But in answer to the title.

No. Change some players, refresh, but don't change the pilot.

 

[Just do something]

I don't know whether your source is right or wrong, but in any case it's not what I was talking about, which is whether WE should have Bomber for one year (if he's definitely going after that) or whether our transition would be best served by bringing forward the change to the new coach (whoever that is) now.

What Bomber chooses to do with his life once he finishes up here is another issue entirely and completely up to him.

I thought i may have been trying to answer your title which is should bomber go now?? He may infact be gone for 2011 season and we have a new coach in 2011.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

I thought i may have been trying to answer your title which is should bomber go now?? He may infact be gone for 2011 season and we have a new coach in 2011.

True but I was talking in terms of whether it's a decision we look to make, rather than whether Bomber was to leave himself. Apart from anything else I'll take him at his word (as of 2 weeks ago) when he said he wouldn't coach Essendon in 2011.

 

[bulletproof]

Fascinating times ahead. Cook and Costa floated the possibility of giving him 4 months to freshen up. Unacceptable I am afraid. Bomber is not that much of a footballing genius that he should be afforded special privileges like that. He should be in there every day working out a way to get us back up in contention.

He has done a great job by working hard with the players; teaching, developing and building their confidence. If he is going to scale back his commitment, the quality of the coaching will drop.

If he can’t promise to be in a dingy office or on the track 70 hours a week from November to October 1, it is time to thank him for his wonderful contribution to the history of our club and wish him well in his business endeavours.

 

[archilino]

No. I still think we are a genuine threat next year, we need to drop a further 5 games in the h & a season to drop out of the top 4 which i dont think will happen.
Bomber is the man to lead us into out final stand.

 

[_Me_]

No. I still think we are a genuine threat next year, we need to drop a further 5 games in the h & a season to drop out of the top 4 which i dont think will happen.
Bomber is the man to lead us into out final stand.

he is just angry at the moment
i don't think he would want the baggage of going to the dons

but gazza should make him angrier by staying

 

[vinum coupe]

Just read the OP PO


I see what you are saying. A new broom sweeps clean and Bomber may lack the ability to do that (on a wholesale level) due to the relationships he has.

There is another way of selling it though. Show the group that you want to win the next flag, not that you are selecting a side that may be good in 2011.

Show that you are willing to take some heat to ensure the club is strong for years to come.

I've said it in different tones in this forum, but if you don't send the right signals to the younger guys (and that includes selwood) accept that you are a chance to lose them.

 

[patience]

I've had similar thoughts to the OP since last Friday night. If we are getting a new coach in twelve months anyway, would it be better if they started now? We have to review the list and adjust/tweek our game plan. A new coach will want to adjust things to their own vision in twelve months anyway. Why not start now? Having said all this, I wish to point out I have loved Bomber as our coach and if he was staying a few more years I would not have given this a second thought. If Sando is the chosen one and he has plenty of input during the next twelve months it's less of a concern.

 

[AM]

On this, there is a big chance that he may not be at Geelong next year. I received a text on Fri night half way through first qtr from the same mate who allowed me to have a 20 min phone chat with bomber. My mate is selling the land at andersons creek for bomber and dodoro etc and his text went along the lines of if he can sell the land bomber will leave geelong and be director of coaching at Essendon. Hird will def coach the bombers but Hird understands that he has zero coaching experience. I have since had a phone conversation with my mate to tell him he is full of shit and he said he has it from the horses mouth. Essendon want Hird as the front man so they can get the dollars back into the club. they will also then have possibly Laidley as Hirds right hand man like Port had this year.

Bomber will have less stress as a director of coaching. he has also ive been told purchased a property in Port melbourne. The other thing is in bombers contract he has a get out clause so if he wants to walk away he does when he wants.

I dont have any reason not to belive my mate so we will have to just wait and see.

I think you'll find Bomber's development is at Armstrong Creek. My understanding is there is a 3 month notice of termination clause in his contract. However, it is a standard contract that applies to all the coaches which also gives the club corresponding rights. And Bomber should (and will) see out his contract.

The most believable scenario I've heard re Essendon is that either Laidley or Williams will coach with Hird as the senior assistant (gathering experience) with the view to taking over at an agreed time. Malthouse/Buckley style. But, frankly, I couldn't give a stuff about Essendon.

 

[Vdubs]

If we had won a flag this year, makes sense for Bomber to take long leave. BUT we are either going for it again next year, in which case Bomber should be HUNGRY, and committed, OR, we start the rebuilding process and that should include Coach---

unless the club has privately anointed Sanderson, in which case he could take the reins in preparation for 2012 while Bomber recharges..

Personally, it seems as if we are out of top 2 contention next year and the long slow rebuilding process may take years to build momentum, and EVERYTHING is on hold until the Ablett decision. So whether Bomber goes in 2011 or 2012 matters little. So what if we make top 8, and that is not guaranteed either.

 

[Jimmy Yamazaki]

I think he should stay. If Ablett stays then we are a chance next year at the flag. We should have beaten the Saints if we used our opportunities effectively in the last quater. We are a bit behind the pies but the interchange rule will make them less effective since players will need to stay longer on the ground.

Really, we are the second best team this year.

If Ablett goes we should still be top 4, but I think we will be a bit more like bullies and may struggle to really beat the top teams next year. Still think Bomber is the man for the job though.

Personally, I don't think we need a full club rebuilt yet. Just a few changes which Thompson said he was going to do.

 

[pinion]

it's a tough one, but i agree. either he commits to stay beyond next year or we start grooming his successor, who would have a big say on list management

 

[cynical]

id rather see him leave

i think it's tough for a guy who has coached the same players for a long time to make tough decisions on their future

when ablett announces that he is leaving our premiership chances next year go down the drain, we might as well start the rebuilding process

 

[muttonchops]

I would think Mark Thompson will be coaching Geelong next year.

But the big question is who coaches us in 2012. I don't think it is a certainty that Sanderson automatically succeeds Thompson. So who will coach us then?

I think we need to go down the path of appointing the best person possible, if thats Sanderson then great. It is a simple process to me, get a bunch of applicants or head hunt who you might want to talk to then decide from them who is the best of that bunch.

A few names to look at.

Paul Roos (wouldnt hurt to ask)
Chris Scott
Brenton Sanderson
Mark Neeld
Mick Malthouse
Garry Hocking
Leigh Tudor
Scott Watters

Will be interesting times.

 

[Vdubs]

One name that may be worth a mention for 2012 is Mark Bickley- smart tough player and very highly thought of in SA. Brains, communication, flag success, has it all.

 

[pinion]

i'd also love to see bomber do what few other coaches have really done since the advent of the draft and salary cap - build two separate successful eras at a club. every coach seems to come out with the old 'taken this list as far as i can' line, without being given the chance to rebuild and start again.

sheedy sort of did it, and malthouse has had collingwood near the top for almost 10 years, but i'd love to see bomber truly create a dynasty

 

[pinion]

One name that may be worth a mention for 2012 is Mark Bickley- smart tough player and very highly thought of in SA. Brains, communication, flag success, has it all.

i'd imagine bickley would bide his time at the crows, knowing that neil craig will be under a lot of pressure if the crows have a bad start to 2011

 

[muttonchops]

On this, there is a big chance that he may not be at Geelong next year. I received a text on Fri night half way through first qtr from the same mate who allowed me to have a 20 min phone chat with bomber. My mate is selling the land at andersons creek for bomber and dodoro etc and his text went along the lines of if he can sell the land bomber will leave geelong and be director of coaching at Essendon. Hird will def coach the bombers but Hird understands that he has zero coaching experience. I have since had a phone conversation with my mate to tell him he is full of shit and he said he has it from the horses mouth. Essendon want Hird as the front man so they can get the dollars back into the club. they will also then have possibly Laidley as Hirds right hand man like Port had this year.

Bomber will have less stress as a director of coaching. he has also ive been told purchased a property in Port melbourne. The other thing is in bombers contract he has a get out clause so if he wants to walk away he does when he wants.

I dont have any reason not to belive my mate so we will have to just wait and see.

Well this seemed to pretty right on the money.