- Feb 17, 2005
- 70
- 0
- Other Teams
- Tibetan Lamas
- Banned
- #1
By Greg Baum
February 18, 2005
Mick Malthouse has the Magpie hordes watching as he tries to turn around Collingwood's poor 2004.
A former AFL coach said only last weekend that he thought the Collingwood job was still the toughest gig. All those supporters, all the longing, all that impatience, all those expectations, all the times they have been dashed. In that context, this season is shaping as one of the most challenging of Mick Malthouse's 22.
Last year, Collingwood fell further than any previous Malthouse team. The Bulldogs were competitive for all but the last of his six years there, when extraneous forces became overwhelming.
At West Coast, Malthouse won two premierships and did not miss the finals in 10 years, a long and even record. At Collingwood, two years of rebuilding were followed by two grand final appearances, a heady time.
Last year's slide was not unexpected in a competition that militates against sustained success, but its scale was. It was mitigated by a calculated decision after the 2003 grand final thrashing to prune the list in order to regrow it, compounded by a plague of injuries and suspensions.
The club was understanding in the circumstances, the faithful less so. It was said when Malthouse was appointed that his record and reputation would gain two more years of grace than would have been allowed to, for instance, Damian Drum, a rookie also in the running. Now those tacit concessions had expired.
President Eddie McGuire was indignant yesterday at the suggestion that there was any sort of heat on Malthouse. He said the coach was under no more pressure now than in his first season at the club, no more than the already considerable pressure he habitually put on himself. He said Collingwood was no longer so unsophisticated in its ways as to panic about one mediocre season.
He said the Magpies had extended Malthouse's contract after the 2004 grand final, anticipating some pain last year after cutting its list. He said the club was unrecognisable from five years ago - richer, better run, more stable and now based at a lavish new home that should give the club an edge in preparation - and much of that was Malthouse's doing.
He said he and Malthouse were as close as ever. "We haven't even played one practice match yet and we're talking pressure?" he said. "I won't stand for it. It's just bulls---."
McGuire said that despite few rating Collingwood's list, the club had played in three of the past five grand finals - pre-season and premiership. He said Malthouse was plainly not just a peerless coach, but the coach's medal ought to be named after him!
But McGuire ought not be surprised that there is intrigue about the Magpies. The landscape at the club has changed and not just because the backdrop is the Lexus Centre at Olympic Park. Michael Broadbridge, Malthouse's low-profile, long-time assistant, has returned to Perth to take up a position at Fremantle.
Other football officials are conscious of a warning from the club following an incident during a mid-season break on the Sunshine Coast last year. Whatever pressure is on Malthouse this season is also on the football department.
Late last year, the Magpies offered Rodney Eade a job in strategy and development, created just for him. They did not say it was part of a succession plan - they would not be so foolish - but others saw it so and not just in the media. At least one prominent figure urged Eade to take the post on that basis.
In the end, Eade chose to take his chances at the Bulldogs. Instructively, the Collingwood position remains unfilled.
All relationships change, or else we are all robots. Most club-coach relationships sour; it is the intense nature of the business. The cracks are more likely to show up in a poor season than a good. A former Collingwood president, Allan McAlister, declared a former coach, Leigh Matthews, would have the job for life. With remissions, it came down to five years.
Malthouse's contract runs to the end of 2006 and McGuire said it was not an issue for club or coach. This makes sense. Few clubs dare to reappoint coaches two years ahead of time, for so much can change so quickly.
The Kangaroos' recent decision to renew Dean Laidley's deal was reassuring for him, but puzzling to most in the football industry. A club must walk a fine line between keeping faith and being blinded by it.
But the Magpies' second climb up the ladder under Malthouse will be tougher and two years might not be enough. For one, they do not have the advantage of early draft picks.
Collingwood has many worthies, but no budding superstars. Some critics question the Magpies' draft judgement, but until there is a pudding, there can be no proof.
West Coast under Malthouse remained archly competitive after its 1994 premiership, but was never again a serious flag threat. Arguably, its efforts to remain competitive counted against it. It is now pretty much established that the only way up is down, a laborious journey.
Secondly, Collingwood's size and power is double-edged for a coach. It gains him all he needs - the Lexus Centre, for instance, and generous remuneration - but also tougher terms of trade, for few opponents will do the Magpies favours.
At West Coast, Malthouse was able to secure Michael Gardiner and David Wirrpunda for, as one critic put it, "beads and trinkets". At Collingwood, Fraser Gehrig and Nick Stevens were both ready to join up, but their clubs played hard ball. The Magpies know that they will have to replace Nathan Buckley, Scott Burns et al. soon, but not with players of their ideal choice, nor at their leisure.
Of course, nothing is immutable and nor are predictions foolproof. Rapid rises and rapid falls can happen out of the blue; Collingwood has had one of each under Malthouse.
All that can be said for now is what Malthouse said earlier this week: the club is better placed now than at this time last year. As for pressure, there is nothing like it to act as a stimulant. Coaches breathe it.
"Hopefully, I'll see you guys in September," Malthouse said at the end of his news conference, "and not on your side of the fence."
February 18, 2005
Mick Malthouse has the Magpie hordes watching as he tries to turn around Collingwood's poor 2004.
A former AFL coach said only last weekend that he thought the Collingwood job was still the toughest gig. All those supporters, all the longing, all that impatience, all those expectations, all the times they have been dashed. In that context, this season is shaping as one of the most challenging of Mick Malthouse's 22.
Last year, Collingwood fell further than any previous Malthouse team. The Bulldogs were competitive for all but the last of his six years there, when extraneous forces became overwhelming.
At West Coast, Malthouse won two premierships and did not miss the finals in 10 years, a long and even record. At Collingwood, two years of rebuilding were followed by two grand final appearances, a heady time.
Last year's slide was not unexpected in a competition that militates against sustained success, but its scale was. It was mitigated by a calculated decision after the 2003 grand final thrashing to prune the list in order to regrow it, compounded by a plague of injuries and suspensions.
The club was understanding in the circumstances, the faithful less so. It was said when Malthouse was appointed that his record and reputation would gain two more years of grace than would have been allowed to, for instance, Damian Drum, a rookie also in the running. Now those tacit concessions had expired.
President Eddie McGuire was indignant yesterday at the suggestion that there was any sort of heat on Malthouse. He said the coach was under no more pressure now than in his first season at the club, no more than the already considerable pressure he habitually put on himself. He said Collingwood was no longer so unsophisticated in its ways as to panic about one mediocre season.
He said the Magpies had extended Malthouse's contract after the 2004 grand final, anticipating some pain last year after cutting its list. He said the club was unrecognisable from five years ago - richer, better run, more stable and now based at a lavish new home that should give the club an edge in preparation - and much of that was Malthouse's doing.
He said he and Malthouse were as close as ever. "We haven't even played one practice match yet and we're talking pressure?" he said. "I won't stand for it. It's just bulls---."
McGuire said that despite few rating Collingwood's list, the club had played in three of the past five grand finals - pre-season and premiership. He said Malthouse was plainly not just a peerless coach, but the coach's medal ought to be named after him!
But McGuire ought not be surprised that there is intrigue about the Magpies. The landscape at the club has changed and not just because the backdrop is the Lexus Centre at Olympic Park. Michael Broadbridge, Malthouse's low-profile, long-time assistant, has returned to Perth to take up a position at Fremantle.
Other football officials are conscious of a warning from the club following an incident during a mid-season break on the Sunshine Coast last year. Whatever pressure is on Malthouse this season is also on the football department.
Late last year, the Magpies offered Rodney Eade a job in strategy and development, created just for him. They did not say it was part of a succession plan - they would not be so foolish - but others saw it so and not just in the media. At least one prominent figure urged Eade to take the post on that basis.
In the end, Eade chose to take his chances at the Bulldogs. Instructively, the Collingwood position remains unfilled.
All relationships change, or else we are all robots. Most club-coach relationships sour; it is the intense nature of the business. The cracks are more likely to show up in a poor season than a good. A former Collingwood president, Allan McAlister, declared a former coach, Leigh Matthews, would have the job for life. With remissions, it came down to five years.
Malthouse's contract runs to the end of 2006 and McGuire said it was not an issue for club or coach. This makes sense. Few clubs dare to reappoint coaches two years ahead of time, for so much can change so quickly.
The Kangaroos' recent decision to renew Dean Laidley's deal was reassuring for him, but puzzling to most in the football industry. A club must walk a fine line between keeping faith and being blinded by it.
But the Magpies' second climb up the ladder under Malthouse will be tougher and two years might not be enough. For one, they do not have the advantage of early draft picks.
Collingwood has many worthies, but no budding superstars. Some critics question the Magpies' draft judgement, but until there is a pudding, there can be no proof.
West Coast under Malthouse remained archly competitive after its 1994 premiership, but was never again a serious flag threat. Arguably, its efforts to remain competitive counted against it. It is now pretty much established that the only way up is down, a laborious journey.
Secondly, Collingwood's size and power is double-edged for a coach. It gains him all he needs - the Lexus Centre, for instance, and generous remuneration - but also tougher terms of trade, for few opponents will do the Magpies favours.
At West Coast, Malthouse was able to secure Michael Gardiner and David Wirrpunda for, as one critic put it, "beads and trinkets". At Collingwood, Fraser Gehrig and Nick Stevens were both ready to join up, but their clubs played hard ball. The Magpies know that they will have to replace Nathan Buckley, Scott Burns et al. soon, but not with players of their ideal choice, nor at their leisure.
Of course, nothing is immutable and nor are predictions foolproof. Rapid rises and rapid falls can happen out of the blue; Collingwood has had one of each under Malthouse.
All that can be said for now is what Malthouse said earlier this week: the club is better placed now than at this time last year. As for pressure, there is nothing like it to act as a stimulant. Coaches breathe it.
"Hopefully, I'll see you guys in September," Malthouse said at the end of his news conference, "and not on your side of the fence."
