Time to fire Thompson.

[malvern]

OK morons. You guys are the disgrace if you think sitting back and 'letting it unfold' is the key. Changes need to be made beyond the playing group. We'll never see a flag if this coaching staff remains.
I'll be bringing this thread up again every week with I TOLD YOU SO! And you dimwits can keep pumping out the garbage talk about how everything will be alright.

Why is it that the ability of coaches to influence games is so highly rated - above that of even the players on the field?

So what what exactly are you suggesting - I mean if you had the power just what would you do on Monday morning - what's your plan???

 

[Catnip]

Bomber has run out of ideas. You can see it in his resigned countenance. Replace him with who is a fair question though. Daniher outcoached Bomber tonight by a fair margin.

Several players need a rocket. Someone said Ling 'got a bit of it' as a postive, well, at the moment, that is turning out as a positive to the opposition as he is not hitting targets. Two weeks ago he handballed over his head to..er..no one and he friggin did again tonight! Love Lingy but he's really running up and down in the one spot and is struggling badly.

Josh Hunt. NEVER been a big fan. Had one good year in 2004 and has been dining out as one trick pony ever since. Twice he burnt the ball in that third term tonight when it looked like we might be starting to get on an overdue roll. Was thrashed in the second half by a second gamer.

James Kelly and Joel Corey...bloody Lazy..an effort summed up by a one handed effort that was rewarded by a free kick tonight by Kel and Corey appears to be allergic to chasing and second efforts.

Will 'free kick' Slade. Ugh. Just so clumsy. Admire his guts but like Gardiner, where is the footy brain??

Too much is being left to too few. If one of Mooney, Rooke (a real stand out lately), Chappy, Ablett or Milburn are down then we are screwed. The whole club reeks of desperation and frustration. The playing group don't appear to respect the oppostion and what that really means is that they don't respect themselves.

A fine way to reward a record membership. At least in 99 we knew we were carp.

 

[ablettallica]

OK morons. You guys are the disgrace if you think sitting back and 'letting it unfold' is the key. Changes need to be made beyond the playing group. We'll never see a flag if this coaching staff remains.
I'll be bringing this thread up again every week with I TOLD YOU SO! And you dimwits can keep pumping out the garbage talk about how everything will be alright.

Sacking the Coach is not the answer. If you seriously think it is then you know nothing about the modern structure of team management in the AFL. We as supportters can do more for the team by not sh**stirring like this.

And I might disagree with what you say but I would never abuse you. I would like to think this board is a place where we as Geelong supporters can share our sucesses - failures - hopes - dreams, even our pain - without abusing each other.

In the end I cant follow football and the Cats with the passion I do without being optimistic about it all. If I was a pessimistic Geelong supporter I wouldnt watch all the games (i.e switch off at half time etc.) or even bother with this board. Football is one of the best things in life. I like to keep it positive.

The hope that we can one day prevail is the defining point of my passion.

At this stage sacking the coach or even talking about it would take us further from a flag, not closer.

If we missed the finals and were 2-4 this time next year, then bring up this thread and I would re-consider my stance.

Game on. 2006 is not done yet. Keep the faith.

 

[Micksy]

I'm still not sure whether this is his ultimate plan. Imagine if we played hard running football all year, we would be ****ed, injuries would be high and we would mostly fall over at the end.

To me he has played these 4 games as rest games, we haven't run at all, tackled hard once (against the bullies). He would have wanted a minimum 2 wins out of them (we could have easily got them against the bullies and demons).

You don't play 4 weeks of sh1t footy without realising it's the gameplan.

Next week Geelong to come out and smash St.Kilda by 70+ points using the old game plan.

All is not lost yet, i don't think bomber is that stupid to employ a short chippy ring a rosy brand of football at Geelong......

I'll have some of that action. Shall we make it a 50?

 

[purring]

I agree sack him, we were promised a flag years ago, well well well, what a joke.

 

[Conan Troutman]

I'm still not sure whether this is his ultimate plan. Imagine if we played hard running football all year, we would be ****ed, injuries would be high and we would mostly fall over at the end.

To me he has played these 4 games as rest games, we haven't run at all, tackled hard once (against the bullies). He would have wanted a minimum 2 wins out of them (we could have easily got them against the bullies and demons).

You don't play 4 weeks of sh1t footy without realising it's the gameplan.

Next week Geelong to come out and smash St.Kilda by 70+ points using the old game plan.

All is not lost yet, i don't think bomber is that stupid to employ a short chippy ring a rosy brand of football at Geelong......

I wouldn't be surprised if that was a tactic.

Anyone else remember him saying during the '05 pre-season that he thinks if a coach can work out how to successfully rest players during the season, that coach could start the next big thing in footy (or words to that affect - it was over a year ago ). I remember it pretty well as I thought it strange he'd be so open about a tactic like that. I believe they do it in other sports too don't they - like soccer?? And with the injury run last year (after that comment), I don't think it's a stretch to think he might try that tactic. It does seem strange all the KPP are or have been out injured. Not suggesting they are not injured, but I sometimes wonder how badly. We all thought it was a huge surprise King got picked in the team this week. Someone else suggested how Slade will not be dropped as they'll run him into the ground before his time is up. Some things do seem to fit the idea. If Geelong do come good, I doubt we'd ever find out if it was a genuine plan though, it'd just be put down to form, or a coincidence.

 

[bulletproof]

Very poor result it seems he cant get the mix right at all. The midfield is the problem, I don’t care what the stats say and how many ling got tonight, you can simply not have him, Kelly, Corey and Bartel in the same midfield, they are not runners and they cant close down runners.

It has been the problem for three years, Ling must re-invent himself. He is a smart and dedicated footballer and I am not saying he is finished but he should be finished in this Geelong midfield. I would try him up forward in the pocket alongside Kingsley, he would contest and is smart enough to kick a goal or two. He can rotate through there but not as the main man, it is 2006 and you cant expect to win a premiership with a man who quite literally anchors the midfield with his concrete boot.

Bad blue to leave out S Johnson on a night like tonight, sure he needs a rocket but does punishing the whole team do any point. Johnson will just be sitting home thinking to himself he could have won the game for them.

I am overseas but have listened to the games which makes it even harder to comprehend what is going on.

All that aside Thompson will not and should not be sacked.

 

[bulletproof]

I wouldn't be surprised if that was a tactic.

Anyone else remember him saying during the '05 pre-season that he thinks if a coach can work out how to successfully rest players during the season, that coach could start the next big thing in footy (or words to that affect - it was over a year ago ). I remember it pretty well as I thought it strange he'd be so open about a tactic like that. I believe they do it in other sports too don't they - like soccer?? And with the injury run last year (after that comment), I don't think it's a stretch to think he might try that tactic. It does seem strange all the KPP are or have been out injured. Not suggesting they are not injured, but I sometimes wonder how badly. We all thought it was a huge surprise King got picked in the team this week. Someone else suggested how Slade will not be dropped as they'll run him into the ground before his time is up. Some things do seem to fit the idea. If Geelong do come good, I doubt we'd ever find out if it was a genuine plan though, it'd just be put down to form, or a coincidence.

I have now heard it all. Thank you.

 

[Conan Troutman]

I agree sack him, we were promised a flag years ago, well well well, what a joke.

I thought it was 2006 he marked down as the year to be up there?? so we've probably been ahead of time in '04 and '05.

I definitely don't agree with sacking him.

Don't forget we also have the 3rd least experienced list in the afl (also 3rd youngest too IIRC?).
We're not far above the Hawks and Carlton for games experience...

Hawthorn - 2210 games (49 finals)
Cartlon  - 2299 games (81 finals)
Geelong  - 2404 games (129 finals)
Richmond - 2526 games (55 finals)

Rest of the teams 2700+ (Crows, Lions, Pies 3000+)

IMO it's way too early in his career, to be talking of sacking Bomber. He's only just getting there now. Spending those years in the beginning building the team, just to pull it away from him as he gets there not a good idea I reckon. I trust he knows what he's doing - seems one of the smarter coaches going around. There's already Clarkson wanting to follow in Geelong's footsteps.

 

[Conan Troutman]

I have now heard it all. Thank you.

no probs




Just a theory. Not saying I believe it or not. But wouldn't be surprised (because of what Bomber said last year).

 

[Partridge]

Remember we were 1-4 in 2004, whats so different now?

Plenty of time left.

In 2004 we didn't make the Grand Final, therefore the season was a failure. Nothing is different. We won't make it this year either. I'm sick of Thompson waxing lyrical about building a side and especially his excuses after losing. Thompson comes up with "we're fragile without experience, one of the youngest sides, lots of injuries...." and many more.

You know what. I don't care about his media spin anymore, it's all bullsh*t. You've got a team of local heroes who don't need to push themselves because they'll still be celebrities in Geelong and they'll still enjoy the trappings of fame. So why should they strive to take the extra step? Some of them do. Mooney, Bartel, Scarlett, Milburn always seem to perform. But Kelly and Ling are more interested in trading jokes about each other on television than winning games. Steve Johnson is not the only walking ego down there than needs deflating.

 

[year of the cat]

In 2004 we didn't make the Grand Final, therefore the season was a failure. Nothing is different. We won't make it this year either. I'm sick of Thompson waxing lyrical about building a side and especially his excuses after losing. Thompson comes up with "we're fragile without experience, one of the youngest sides, lots of injuries...." and many more.

You know what. I don't care about his media spin anymore, it's all bullsh*t. You've got a team of local heroes who don't need to push themselves because they'll still be celebrities in Geelong and they'll still enjoy the trappings of fame. So why should they strive to take the extra step? Some of them do. Mooney, Bartel, Scarlett, Milburn always seem to perform. But Kelly and Ling are more interested in trading jokes about each other on television than winning games. Steve Johnson is not the only walking ego down there than needs deflating.

Whilst I don't believe its time to sack Thompson - these things should in my opinion only happen at the end of the season - it concerns me that the players don't appear to be motivated by him anymore. He has been at Geelong for 6 or 7 years now, been given an opportunity and time to rebuild a list. I wonder whether his strengths lie in developing the younger players rather than coaching a mature team to a flag.

I would think that Geelong has to at least play off in a Prelim final for Thompson's contract for next year to be vindicated. Anything less is unacceptable.

As for options if he moves on, Garry Lyon and Leigh Matthews are the two that stand out to me....

 

[dogbowl]

My Dad said Bomber is the 'most fortunate coach in the AFL'. in 2004!

I reckon Frawley, Rohde, Ayers and Schwab might even agree. I'm not saying the old man's correct, but how long has he been plugging away at the cats?

 

[YOTC]

I'll have some of that action. Shall we make it a 50?

Lets go 100.

 

[Rosella]

What's the point of sacking a coach unless there's a better replacement? There will possibly be a number of coaching jobs up for grabs at the end of the season, and a rush for who appears to be best. I'm not sure we would draw the best.

 

[gregWAllan]

Hawthorn - 2210 games (49 finals)
Cartlon  - 2299 games (81 finals)
Geelong  - 2404 games (129 finals)
Richmond - 2526 games (55 finals)

Rest of the teams 2700+ (Crows, Lions, Pies 3000+)

To add to that:
Youngest list in terms of average age, second least average games played.

 

[Kent_Kingsley]

Costa and his cronies won't sack Thompson and you all know it...therefore this thread is rather pointless

 

[catswhiskers]

The passion wasn't there last night. Thats the coach's main job on game night.
When melbourne pulled back level in third term the geelong heads were down and it looked like they thought they were 10 goals down!! The melbourne players new then Geelong were gone.

Thats where a coach has to step in.

The defence was ordinary. The midfield slow and one dimensional. Kingsley was 30% fit or afraid of the rain. Thank god for Ablett, chappy, Ottens, Rooke and Bartel!

Thompson has until round 18. If the cats aren't well inside the 8 by then his future is in doubt.

 

[Unwritten_Law]

Brisbane are more ed than us so we should swap coaches. Thompson to Brisbane to rebuild, Matthews to the Cats to win a flag and then swap back when the wheel changes again

 

[catswhiskers]

good plan U_L. The players would know they were alive when Lethal turned up.

 

[Catnip]

Brisbane are more ed than us so we should swap coaches. Thompson to Brisbane to rebuild, Matthews to the Cats to win a flag and then swap back when the wheel changes again

OTM UL.

 

[CatFanatic]

I dont believe that we should be looking to get rid of Bomber just yet but IMO a few of the things I see just dont seem right.
EG: He seems to take a softly softly approach to everything.
He does'nt appear too upset when the side plays like crap.
He seems to be very slow to react when one of our players are getting beaten.
Our players (slade for one) seem to get away with undisciplined acts with no reaction from the coach.
All of these things would not be tolerated by a true leader.
Just once I would like to see Bomber lose his cool then I might believe there is a real human being in there.

 

[Partridge]

EG: He seems to take a softly softly approach to everything.
He does'nt appear too upset when the side plays like crap.
He seems to be very slow to react when one of our players are getting beaten.
Our players (slade for one) seem to get away with undisciplined acts with no reaction from the coach.
All of these things would not be tolerated by a true leader.
Just once I would like to see Bomber lose his cool then I might believe there is a real human being in there.

Exactly. If I was in charge of that rabble I'd do the following things:

1. Make them train at 6am after a loss. Then run them into the ground. Not a bullsh*t 60 minute "recovery session" or crap like that, more like 180 minutes of sprints. Up hills. Find out who really wants to be there.
2. Drop both Kelly and Ling. They're not the only culprits, but they're the most high profile and immune from the axe. Importantly, leave them in the 2nds for a while, not just the token one game.
3. Drop Slade. A clumsy oaf.
4. Shoot Gardiner. Complete *******. I'll provide the bullets.
5. Put established players back to their correct positions. Leave Milburn in the backline and put Corey back in the middle and away from defence. Insane coaching.
6. Promote kids who actually play well in the 2nds - be it Stokes, Prismall,whoever. I know Lonergan and Ablett did nothing against Footscray but you must reward the guys who perform at that level. For one thing it demonstrates that mediocre performances from alleged senior players (Ling, Kelly) won't get them a game.
7. Stop the media and other commitments for the time being. Watching Ling have a laugh on Channel 10 after the Footscray loss - I wanted to kill him. That's the problem. Losing hurts us far, far more than it hurts the players.
8. Recruit or develop a forward. In the entire 7 years that Thompson has been at Geelong, he has developed the following number of forwards - 0. Only Kingsley has performed respectably, and he came from North.

How's that for starters?

 

[jacross]

While I agree with the sentiment of number 1, that is actually a really really bad idea. They do recovery sessions for a very sound physiological reason.

 

[The Hulkster]

Exactly. If I was in charge of that rabble I'd do the following things:

1. Make them train at 6am after a loss. Then run them into the ground. Not a bullsh*t 60 minute "recovery session" or crap like that, more like 180 minutes of sprints. Up hills. Find out who really wants to be there.

Maybe not quite that strenuous but a good old fashioned "bring your mouthgaurds to training" might do it.

2. Drop both Kelly and Ling. They're not the only culprits, but they're the most high profile and immune from the axe. Importantly, leave them in the 2nds for a while, not just the token one game.

Agree with Kelly, not Ling...yet.

3. Drop Slade. A clumsy oaf.

Agree

4. Shoot Gardiner. Complete *******. I'll provide the bullets.

Agree, shooting is a bit harsh, at least get something in a trade.

5. Put established players back to their correct positions. Leave Milburn in the backline and put Corey back in the middle and away from defence. Insane coaching.

Agree

6. Promote kids who actually play well in the 2nds - be it Stokes, Prismall,whoever. I know Lonergan and Ablett did nothing against Footscray but you must reward the guys who perform at that level. For one thing it demonstrates that mediocre performances from alleged senior players (Ling, Kelly) won't get them a game.

Agree

7. Stop the media and other commitments for the time being. Watching Ling have a laugh on Channel 10 after the Footscray loss - I wanted to kill him. That's the problem. Losing hurts us far, far more than it hurts the players.

That peed me off to.
8. Recruit or develop a forward. In the entire 7 years that Thompson has been at Geelong, he has developed the following number of forwards - 0. Only Kingsley has performed respectably, and he came from North.

Await the arrival of Tom Hawkins

How's that for starters?