The Magpies should keep Alan Didak by Nathan Buckley

[Mars II]

CLOSE your eyes for a moment and imagine a footballer.
He is 25 years old, he has eight seasons and 138 games under his belt after being a teenaged star. He initially filled the role of an opportunist forward but in recent seasons has evolved into an accumulator of the ball, with silky skills and the ability to turn a game in the blink of an eye.
His best football is in front of him with five-to-seven seasons of standout performances on the horizon on the back of the solid work-rate he is developing in preparation and on game day. His skills would be welcome at every other team in the competition
He is an easy-going person, with a great sense of humour and is well liked by his teammates.
Now imagine that the very same footballer could be unwanted by his football club.
That footballer is Alan Didak.
It says a lot about the professionalism in the game and the requirements for modern-day success that a player and a person with so much going for him could be deemed as a nett negative influence on his football club.
If Collingwood feels it has exhausted all of its options with Didak, it should trade him without hesitation.
Simply, I don't think it has.
For mine, there is more to be done with the man known as Dids.
A fortnight ago was the first time that Alan Didak was suspended from playing the game that he loves at Collingwood.
In that moment, a message was sent to him that he is not bigger than the club and that the talent you bring to the field of play counts for little if you conduct yourself in the wrong way off the field.
Alan now knows that unless he changes the way he goes about his life away from the game, he's not worthy of wearing the Collingwood jumper.
The message was sent not just by the coach but, even more crucially, by his mates at the club who have identified that their chance to achieve the ultimate in the game is being compromised by one of their teammates and they won't let it happen.
Days after he was suspended, that message was rammed home for Alan when a very different-looking Collingwood team beat St Kilda. The club and everyone in it was reminded in those four quarters that, while skill is important, teamwork and unity are more important.
While there have been stern words, physical penalties and fines metered out over the past few years in response to Alan's occasional public issues, this is the club's strongest stand. Although he has known what's right and what's wrong, until now he could have been excused for believing that his mistakes weren't as bad as they were.
With the club's decision to relieve him of his playing duties, he now realises that his on-field attributes are only a small part of his value to this club, and his on-field performances are only a part of his duties to his club.
The problem for Alan is that the ball is no longer in his court. If the club thought that he was no longer worth the risk, the club would be well within its rights to move him on.
Even so, there are still things that he can he do to show the club and his teammates that he's able to make the necessary changes in his life to be a better product for the club on and off the field.
What Alan needs to do now is put his head down and train hard for the rest of the season. He'll have a pre-season training routine for the rest of the year and he needs to throw himself into that to show the club that he wants to continue to be a part of it, and that he has remorse for his actions and an understanding of the impact they've had.
The difficulty for the club is in how it can measure the extent to which Alan has reformed himself. To that end, Alan needs to go to the club and articulate the things he believes he needs to do and intends to do over the next couple of months.
But it is not just Alan who has a duty in this matter.
The club, too, has a duty of care to Alan, just as it does to all of its players.
Before cutting Alan loose, the club needs to be certain that it has done everything within its capabilities to help him become the asset it needs him to be.
If I were able to consider the decision of whether to keep Alan or trade him, these are the issues I would throw around.
What are the short-term and long-term costs and benefits to us? What message are we sending to the playing group?
No player has a God-given right to do what they want, when they want to, and stay involved in a team environment.
Alan Didak's best football makes Collingwood a better side, but if he continues to make poor, destructive choices for himself, the culture of the football club suffers.
I don't believe Alan is a lost cause at Collingwood.
If the player and the club are committed to repairing the damage, and if Alan can demonstrate that his troubles are behind him, they can forge a new future together.
I believe Alan can do that. And I believe Collingwood should keep him.

http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/news/pies-should-keep-didak/2008/08/15/1218307238168.html

im with bucks on this one

 

[Smoky]

Well said Bucks.

 

[Godfrey Jones]

Im with Bucks too. As always

 

[kevind]

Nathan Buckley should perhaps not only be the next coach but also the next President of Collingwood. Interesting to hear that Didak is well liked by his team mates. This is a no brainer.

You don't get rid of your best footballer over an issue such as lying about being a passenger in a car crash. And 2 weeks suspension is enough. Bring he and Heath Shaw back next week, they have served their time. Enough is enough.

 

[Bigness]

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha

Who the hell is going to come on to this board and disagree with the Messiah? No one in his right mind........

Having said that, I too think that he speaks a lot of sense (not unusual for him). Maybe Bucks is saying that when he coaches Collingwood in a couple of years time, he wants to have A Diddi at his disposal. Maybe he's acutally lobbying Collingwood in his own way.

 

[Nathan Q Brown]

God has spoken and as always he is wise. Let the disbelievers fook off!

 

[DJ Black @ White Blood]

Ive been listening to MM lately and i think in the way he is talking about the hole incident that he is pretty pissed. Not with the players but the press and how there out to nail a few players. Im now getting the feeling that he is going to hang onto Dids. Infact im pretty confident. Im also starting to think Bucks is going to be coaching us pretty soon.

Only thing with Dids is his contract has to clearly say
NO SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEATS OF TEAM MATES CARS. Must be stamped on his license.

 

[bigbrother35]

I can only agree whole heartedly. Didak at 25 is an asset to our football club, not a burden, I remember doing some pretty silly things when i was 25. With so much youth around the club I would be focusing my attention on some of the older players that are maybe passed their best and stopping a younger player from getting the experience he requires. As much as i respect MM's judgement on this issue, i can't help but think that maybe we need to start fast tracking our youth, like Rich and Ess, as i can't see us playing off in the big one with this current group. Watching last nights game, I saw a senior player (shane Obree) past his best, make some ordinary mental mistakes and not for the first time this season. As much as i respect what he has done for our club I do not see the benefit in playing him over a 20 year old. I make the same argument with Shane Wakelin, a magnificent effort over the past 3 years, but should we be playing a kid in his place. If we do not do this now, the middle group of players, Didak, Davis, Fraser, Medhurst, Lockyer will be past their best by the time our youth hit their straps.

Go pies!

 

[jimmy35]

Buckley is no longer involved with the Collingwood Football Club , you are either in or out and he has chosen out .
He is no longer part of the family and should close his mouth .























Of course we should keep Didak

 

[Gone Critical]

Bucks is undoubtedly right perhaps his only mistake is not to state the case for keeping Didak strongly enough. As MM has said the press furore over this incident has been way over the top and it has been them speculating that Didak is gone.

There are 15 other teams salivating over the possibility that Collingwood may panic and give up Didak at a bargain price. Believe me there is not a team in the comp that wouldnt take him if the deal suited them. There are not many players who have such universal appeal.

That fact should tell us keeping Didak is a no brainer. For those considering moving him on being a good option remember we are not going to get market value in this situation. Speculation that giving up Didak may lead us to getting Brown or Kerr in some direct swap is fanciful

 

[twoforjoy]

I too agree with the great man. Didak is not a lost cause. He screwed up badly and let people down. Yes we can win without him, and hopefully him seeing that will be a needed kick in the pants. Yes we are in the business of winning premierships and his actions have not been aligned with that goal. But with all our amazing facilities and cash and staff, it would a poor effort for us to admit defeat and not help him turn it around. If he wants to go fine..theres the door, but if he is committed to staying then side by side we stick together.

 

[recon]

Lets hope the Collingwood hierachy listen to Bucks and we keep Didak.

 

[spartan-magpie]

as ivwe said a millinon bloody times... didak should not leave collingwood.. if a man like NB who knows CFC as well as any and loves it as much as any has the opiniob that dids should stay.. well.. others take notice... KEEP DIDS A PIE... anyone wanting to trade him cant get bent...

cant wait to see dids career start up again... he will pwn..

 

[Bay Pie]

Bucks knows Dids & I'd say pretty well.

Dids lives for footy and is very well liked by his teammates.

Now consider the Tarrant trade.

Tarrant could easily walk away from footy and it wouldn't worry him. Due partly to this, I don't think he endeared himself to his teammates either.

This could really be the joint Dids needs to become a superstar of the competition. He is already a star.

 

[Vampire013]

Eddie respects Bucks' opinion.
Don't expect Collingwood to offload Didak. Buckley is widely respected. Even opposition supporters are praising his work in the media. He is not scared to give and opinion, yet his opinions have common sense.
We have now had two of our best ever players in Daicos and Buckley openly stating a case that Didak should stay.
On the other hand we have an ex captain who has a habit of running into trees demanding we sack Didak.
Yeah the same tool that Coached us to out last wooden spoon.
I think we all know whose opinion will in the end have more weight.

 

[pendles]

Respect.

 

[MagpieGirl_13]

I love Buckley *sigh*

 

[Pie eyed]

Eddie respects Bucks' opinion.
Don't expect Collingwood to offload Didak. Buckley is widely respected. Even opposition supporters are praising his work in the media. He is not scared to give and opinion, yet his opinions have common sense.
We have now had two of our best ever players in Daicos and Buckley openly stating a case that Didak should stay.
On the other hand we have an ex captain who has a habit of running into trees demanding we sack Didak.
Yeah the same tool that Coached us to out last wooden spoon.
I think we all know whose opinion will in the end have more weight.

If you read all the latest statements from the Club, in various interviews with MM in particular, the inference is clearly that the three will be retained. This is great news for the players and the team as well as the Club.
In hind sight the suspensions were required and probably appropriate, if you are looking to 2009.
The decisions may bite us in the bum later this season, but so far only positives have come on and off field. (with the exception of a few Journo's who can't let go...M.Sheahan..feeling personally hurt by big ol Mick having a go at him...bit of ******** when the shoe is on the other foot our Mr Sheahan)

Didak and Heath Shaw will be expected to be model citizens and train like demons to demonstrate their contrition and it may be the making of both them and the Club in 09....
At least I hope so.

So with all 3 at the club in 2009, how do we go about locking in Cousins??
that is the $40,000 question.

 

[TwisTz]

Jeez. I didn't know I could like Bucks even more than I already did.

 

[beez]

Im thinking Bucks for Coach and President come 2012

 

[The Royal Sampler]

MM has to make it look as though we're strongly considering retaining Didak etc., as otherwise we'd only get fire sale prices for them. I still hope we are retaining them however.

 

[kemosabe]

Thank you Bucks!

For the last couple of weeks I've been torn on whether Collingwood should move Alan Didak on or not. I could equally see both good and bad sides of the argument.

No matter what I read or heard on the subject would sway me one way or the other.

Now Bucks says we should keep him? ..... well that's damn well good enough for me then !!

Keep Alan Didak at Collingwood in 2009 and beyond!!
Go Pies!!

 

[Thommo 42]

I was sitting on the fence with this topic, but now that Bucks has chosen a side - I'll follow him

 

[Shellz]

Well if Bucks said so we MUST keep him!

 

[magpiewarrior]

Several years ago Eddie said "make no mistake Nathan Buckley will be the next coach of Collingwood". Well if the next coach of Collingwood says we should keep Didak then thats gotta be the end of it.
I have been known to disagree with MM and even Eddie but I have never felt qualified in any way shape of form to disagree with Lord Nathan, he is THE MAN.
If anyone thinks that they are qualified to disagree with Lord Nathan then show us your qualifications first.