Stan Alves

[RacerX]

Someone at Dockerland has mentioned that Stan Alves was in town and talking to freo management.

I'd reckon he'd be a wildcard for coach next year. Given this news and the result of the weekends games I think I will revise my coaches list.

Here they are in my order of preference:

Wallace
Pagan
Alves
Allen (incumbent)
Woosher
Eade
Dermie
Blight (not a serious proposition I'd reckon)

Anyone else care to rate them?

 

[sabre_ac]

I cant belive you put Eade so far down the list.


Wallace=Best Coach in the league without doubt
Eade=Tactically nearly as good as wallace (most likely to come)
Pagan=Stayer with experience
Alves=Got Saints to the grand final must have somthing going for him
Blight=Lost the heart for the game
Woosha=Awesome apprentiship, and very smart
Allan=Nothin special
Dermie=Pretty boy, no hope

 

[Balip]

THis mornings rumour on Basil and You know whos show was that Eade was going to extend his contract some time this week with Sydney.

I have no idea if it remotely true but its a good bit of gossip.

 

[Mr Eagle]

Originally posted by sabre_ac
Wallace=Best Coach in the league without doubt

A poor third behind Sheedy and Malthouse, more like...

 

[RacerX]

Its bloody hard to compare coaches. There are a lot of variables that can effect how a coach relates to the players, the club management, and even his own coaching staff.

While rating the coaches I picked who I thought would best improve the development of the club. Guys like Alves, Pagan and Wallace have been at clubs that have really struggled financially and performance wise (at least the club was struggling when they arrived).

As for Eade, I was probably a bit harsh on him. I think I'm prejudiced by a combination of the Drum era and fact that the Swans have not done it as tough as some of the lesser Vic clubs.

 

[Bloodstained Angel]

the Swans have not done it as tough as some of the lesser Vic clubs.

you have absolutely no idea do you ?

 

[RacerX]

Open your other eye BSA.

Sydney have more corporate sponsorship than they can shake a stick at yet the lesser Vic clubs scrabble around trying to get any sponsorship they can. How many Vic clubs have had to go and shake cans?

The AFL wants a club in Sydney and are prepared to prop the club up if need be. I seem to remember the AFL parachuting Ron Barassi in there when the chips were down. Wasn't that around the end of the Dr Eddelston (not sure how you spell his name?). I don't think Saints would get the same treatment from the AFL if they were in that position.

Sydney may have had tough times in the past, but I stand by my position that the lesser Vic clubs have done it tougher.

 

[Bloodstained Angel]

Name me one other football club that had to put up with absolutely NO training facilities

Name me one other football club that was comprehensively ignored by the local media - for years

Name me one other football club whos players had to purcahse their own gym equipment just so they could do some weight training.

Name me one other club whose players wives had to share tinned food so that they could get a meal on the table at night.

Name me one other club whose players were prosecuted for trespassing - on their own home ground (for chrissake)

Name me one other club who was less than 24 hours away from total extinction (fitzroy I suppose ?)

Name me one other club that was cynically sold to a private interest, and that private interest turned out to a person unfit to hold an AFL Licence ?

Name me one other club that whose entire squad had their houses broken into and their cars vandalised ?

Name me one other club that was so poor that at one stage the players had to pay their own airfares to travel to interstate games ?

Name me one other club whose players ALL had to take a 50 percent pay cut - just so we could get a team onto the paddock next season ?

Name me one other club that was so broke the other clubs voted Unanimously to write off 2 million in debt in 1992 ?

Name me one other club whose players' families had to go begging to the Dept of Social Security for handouts - just so they could pay their bills and keep a roof over their heads ?

Name me one other club that struggled so badly on and off the field that they couldn't even GIVE AWAY signage rights at the SCG at one stage ?

Name me one other club whose captain was so poor he had to drive taxis as well as hold down a day job and captain the team ?

Name me one other club whose average home gate was less than 10,000 for 8 years straight ?

Name me one other club that lost 26 games in a row ?

And name me one other club that TWICE paid licence fees to the AFL to the tune of 6 million dollars so that the AFL could get the Dockers up and running ? (among other things like propping up Victorian clubs)

The only people who have any remote idea about how hard and tough it was for the Swans in Sydney would be long time fans of the old Brisbane Bears. These guys would know sometjing of what the Swans have been through, because it was much the same for them.

People who think that the Sydney Swans somehow had an easy ride are completely and utterly deluding themselves.

We did it so tough that for many years our players and their families were quite literally struggling to even feed and clothe themselves properly.

cheers

 

[TheMase]

Fantastic Post BSA!!
I was hopeing someone would say something along those lines.

The Swans may be a financially strong side now, but prior to about 6-7 years ago, it was a vastly different story.

The reason there are struggling clubs in Victoria is because there are too many clubs there.

If say .. St Kilda was to move to QLD or NSW or OUT OF VICTORIA... they would eventually be financially sound aswell, but it takes hard work... and it took the 'Swans' about 12 years.

 

[RacerX]

Here we are at the start of the 2nd round. RacerX comes out of his corner swinging, but is met by rock solid defence from BSA.

BSA is on the offensive now and looking confident. Oh no, BSA has opened RacerX up with a combination and pushed him back on the ropes. RacerX gets on his bike but BSA follows him with a series of left jabs. RacerX looks groggy. BSA knocks him down with a powerful right hook.

RacerX is flat on the canvas and takes the 10 count.

This fight is over folks.

 

[Bloodstained Angel]

BSA extends a hand and lifts RacerX off the canvas.

Holding RacerX's hand aloft, BSA declares the fight over and invites RacerX back to the bar for a Beer.

BSA shouts the entire WA BigFooty contingent a drink (yes even you Frodo !)

cheers

 

[blockerhall]

View from ringside

Gee whiz, fair post BSA. Lot of stuff in there I was not aware of. Thanks for the perspective. And very gracious, too.

<<Name me one other club that whose entire squad had their houses broken into and their cars vandalised ?>>

Was that really dinkum?

 

[Bloodstained Angel]

yep - it is

and thats why I get a little shirty when others start saying the Swans have had an easy ride courtesy of AFL handouts.

Sure, we have been propped up from time to time by the AFL but geez - don't anyone ever say my club has had it 'easy'

The fact that we are still here at all is nothing short of a miracle actually ...

cheers

 

[Goldenblue]

I totally agree with you BSA. The Swans did have a bad start in Sydney and were also left to dangle for a while with the Doctor, only to see the club almost fold. The 80s were a bad time for the Swans. I just read about Syney and their push into NSW and the hardships they had to go through. Brisbane were along the same lines too. Yes, the AFL did intervene and installed Barassi as coach, and Sydney did well in getting Roos, Lockett and Co to Sydney to make the team stronger and more recognisable. We almost lost Sydney at one stage and I think they have done well to turn NSW into a football state and to help the VFL become a true national game. Sth Melb/Sydney are among the oldest clubs in the VFL/AFL and I am glad they did not go along the lines of the Roys. I dont think NSW needs a second team, to me, its too early. A touch of success and the AFL is trying to capitalise on it. I think there is time for that, but the Swans need to establish themselves further.