What did I Say - CC until 2012

[Dwayo]

To all you guys that thrashed me when I made the prediction five weeks ago that we will make the top 8 and play finals footy in 2005. We are already there and watch out finals time.

I have also made the prediction that Freo would make the GF this year and the way we are playing the top sides will be really worried.

Watch us bounce the Tigers this week and then follow it up with three more wins against the Saints, Eagles and Port. CC should be extended to 2012 right now.

 

[dominguez]

Love your enthusiasm Dwayo, and we are all pleased to see our team playing well. But if someone told me before the start of the season that we would scrape into the 8 then like most supporters I would have been disappointed. For 2005 to be a successful season we need to make the finals (which is still no certainty) and win a final. If this doesn't happen the jury will still be out on CC.

 

[newlander77]

I think supporters are getting carried away after the weekends win, and 4 straight wins. Freo still has a way to go. They aren't in the finals yet. Thinking they are would only lead to greater dissapointment.

For what it's worth I think CC is a great coach, and deserves is current contract. Not beyond that at this stage.

 

[Kapow!!!]

I think supporters are getting carried away after the weekends win, and 4 straight wins. Freo still has a way to go. They aren't in the finals yet. Thinking they are would only lead to greater dissapointment.

For what it's worth I think CC is a great coach, and deserves is current contract. Not beyond that at this stage.

Amen

 

[TimN]

Our form has definitely improved, and I'll give some of the credit for that to Connolly. But realistically, we haven't faced the toughest opposition over the least month and our record for the season is that we have won one game against a team thats currently in the 8.

I hope we make the 8, I really do, but we need to win 3 more games before we can start counting our chickens. My heart says we can do that, but my head says that its a big ask.

 

[wehavethepassion]

To all you guys that thrashed me when I made the prediction five weeks ago that we will make the top 8 and play finals footy in 2005. We are already there and watch out finals time.

I have also made the prediction that Freo would make the GF this year and the way we are playing the top sides will be really worried.

Watch us bounce the Tigers this week and then follow it up with three more wins against the Saints, Eagles and Port. CC should be extended to 2012 right now.

Are you his media minder? We haven't beaten any quality sides yet. We took colon wood lightly last year in round 19 and got pantsed, then it was downhill from there.

The tigers game is the focus. They come here in poor form as did Colon wood last year.

By the way the KPIs for the season as stated by the FFC is to make the 8 and to win a final. anything else with our list would be deemed a failure.

 

[theGav56]

The club re-signed CC for a couple of reasons. They new that the start of the year was a tough draw and that we could easily be looking pretty ugly by half way through the season, at which point the question marks about CC would be out in abundance, as would the knives. They also realised that it would not be a fair assessment of the Clubs situation. To try an bring some stability, given that the Coach would be coming out of contract, they acted.

Vision. Forsight. Guts.

Agree or disagree with what they did, it is a valid way for them to have moved.

For me, I support their actions. I don't think there is a better available Coach for us, CC is developing well as a Coach, and, he seems to be well supported by the players and leadership group. The Club looks well set for a strong assault at next years Premiership, and any changes at the top would set that back significantly, especially given that any likely replacement Coach would have L plates on; Sumich, O'Donnel etc. (Don't kid yourselves about Pagan, Blight and Sheedy).

 

[pav_is_god]

We're not playing finals footy yet. Still gotta win at least 2 of our next 4 to give us a chance and thats no easy task.

 

[masai]

Let's just hope the boys keep their heads down and the shoulder to the plough. Alot of work still needs to be done before we make the finals.

If we do make the finals, we must not limply fall in and fall out the first week, we must go in ready to cause havoc.

Like your attitude Dwayo.

 

[ZeroGlass]

Believe it or not i went to your first final at Subi.

If you make it this year and lose in week 1, (which will still be admirable), DONT FRIGGIN CLAP THEM OFF AGAIN, that was an embarrassment.

And yea i already know im a Port supporter and we choked yada yada yada so dotn bother.

 

[dominguez]

The club re-signed CC for a couple of reasons. They new that the start of the year was a tough draw and that we could easily be looking pretty ugly by half way through the season, at which point the question marks about CC would be out in abundance, as would the knives. They also realised that it would not be a fair assessment of the Clubs situation. To try an bring some stability, given that the Coach would be coming out of contract, they acted.

Vision. Forsight. Guts.

Agree or disagree with what they did, it is a valid way for them to have moved.

For me, I support their actions. I don't think there is a better available Coach for us, CC is developing well as a Coach, and, he seems to be well supported by the players and leadership group. The Club looks well set for a strong assault at next years Premiership, and any changes at the top would set that back significantly, especially given that any likely replacement Coach would have L plates on; Sumich, O'Donnel etc. (Don't kid yourselves about Pagan, Blight and Sheedy).

It's impossible to predict before a season if you are going to have a tough draw or not. Not many people expected the likes of Adelaide, Wet Toast, Bulldogs, Port and Brisbane to have the seasons they have had. We play port, St Kilda, WCE, carlton, collingwood, Melbourne and Richmond twice. We have a better list than 5 of those teams, and st kilda started the season poorly. To sit 5-9 is a massive underachievement and most criticism was warranted.

To sign up a coach for the next 3 seasons because of a tough draw is weak. The board should have backed CC and the playing group to get the job done. By extending his contract when a lot of supporters were uncertain of his ability they got a lot of supporters off side, not only with the coach but with Schwabb and the rest of the board. Questions were asked, and rightly so, about the relationship between Schwabb and Connolly. I don't think any other coach would have been afforded the luxury of an extension under the same circumstances.

So far this season all sides have been inconsistent except for one. This is the weakest the competition has been in some time, with no side with finals experience dominating and the premiership up for grabs. 2005 is our opportunity to have a really successful season, and we are sitting 8th. You can blame injuries, a tough draw or whatever you like, but we have underperformed. We still have time to turn things around, but after 18 rounds we have definately failed to meet expectations.

Some people think that the expectations of most supporters are too high. I don't think so. Playing finals and winning a game in September is a fair level considering the talent on our list. The expectations of supporters has also been fuelled by the club. Statements about Ali v Frasier and countless others by the clubs management had us thinking we were on the brink of greatness. Comments along the way of being entrenched in the 8 in CC's 4th season and being in a position to challenge for a flag in his 5th season allowed them time to build, but it's now time to deliver.

There is every possibility that an experienced coach could be lured to the club at seasons end with the right offer. Pagan, Daniher and Malthouse are all coaching struggling clubs at present. Carlton supporters are starting to lose faith in Pagan, and Collins isn't happy having a coach that isn't winning, is on huge money, and was appointed by John Elliott. I'm sure Melbourne would release Daniher from his contract if given the opportunity, and although the demons are currently struggling I think he is a quality coach. Regardless of what most Freo supporters think of Malthouse (myself included), to coach teams in 5 grand finals is an indication of his coaching ability.

Connolly will be coaching the Fremantle Football Club next season, but if we fail to make the finals he should go, and if we perform in a similar fashion for the first half of next season things could really get ugly. Recent attendances at Subiaco are an indication that some people are still angry at what has happened this year.

 

[Ripper]

It's impossible to predict before a season if you are going to have a tough draw or not. Not many people expected the likes of Adelaide, Wet Toast, Bulldogs, Port and Brisbane to have the seasons they have had. We play port, St Kilda, WCE, carlton, collingwood, Melbourne and Richmond twice. We have a better list than 5 of those teams, and st kilda started the season poorly. To sit 5-9 is a massive underachievement and most criticism was warranted.

We played Port , Saints , Eagles first up and were 10 points off being 3-0
Playing the tigers early in the season is always a tough ask.
Which 5 did we have a better list than?

To sign up a coach for the next 3 seasons because of a tough draw is weak.

They signed him up to provide stability as there was already a faction trying to get rid of him in 2004 when we were in the top 6 fer crying out loud.

I don't think any other coach would have been afforded the luxury of an extension under the same circumstances.

Daniher was re-signed at the end of 2003 on the back of a nine game losing streak with 5 wins for the season.
Thompson was re-signed at the end of 2003 on the back of
7 14 1 draw season.
Eddie is extending MM contract a year early.

Plenty of precedent's there.

CC had a better win ratio than all those above and still has even with having to travel accross the country every other week.
IMO the board would have been derelict NOT to keep him on.

Some people think that the expectations of most supporters are too high. I don't think so. Playing finals and winning a game in September is a fair level considering the talent on our list. The expectations of supporters has also been fuelled by the club. Statements about Ali v Frasier and countless others by the clubs management had us thinking we were on the brink of greatness. Comments along the way of being entrenched in the 8 in CC's 4th season and being in a position to challenge for a flag in his 5th season allowed them time to build, but it's now time to deliver.

All those statements did an excellent job to improve the crowd sizes (not necessarily the crowd) , and helped sell a vision.
That was absolutely necessary as we were broke.

No one could have forseen the bad injury run we had at the start of the year but it has been a blessing in disguise as we have rebuilt on the run and found a few players.

There is every possibility that an experienced coach could be lured to the club at seasons end with the right offer. Pagan, Daniher and Malthouse are all coaching struggling clubs at present. Carlton supporters are starting to lose faith in Pagan, and Collins isn't happy having a coach that isn't winning, is on huge money, and was appointed by John Elliott. I'm sure Melbourne would release Daniher from his contract if given the opportunity, and although the demons are currently struggling I think he is a quality coach. Regardless of what most Freo supporters think of Malthouse (myself included), to coach teams in 5 grand finals is an indication of his coaching ability.

Connolly will be coaching the Fremantle Football Club next season, but if we fail to make the finals he should go, and if we perform in a similar fashion for the first half of next season things could really get ugly. Recent attendances at Subiaco are an indication that some people are still angry at what has happened this year.

You ghave to ask yourself why their respective clubs are struggling when they have had ample time to get their respective lists (Pagan excepted) into the sort of order that they themselves are responsible for.

Regardless of how many wins we finish with this year , blind Freddy can see that we have made progress particularly on the road and in the depth, persistance and quality of our list.

Only a stingy person would deny CC credit for that.

 

[Dwayo]

Love your enthusiasm Dwayo, and we are all pleased to see our team playing well. But if someone told me before the start of the season that we would scrape into the 8 then like most supporters I would have been disappointed. For 2005 to be a successful season we need to make the finals (which is still no certainty) and win a final. If this doesn't happen the jury will still be out on CC.

We are really starting to "crank" at the right time of the year. I had expected it to happen a few games earlier but where we are is still OK. We will end up in 6th position and then make a real charge to the GF. We can play at both Subi and Melbourne.

We are going to expose the Eagles - Pav and McParlin up forward and pressure on thier midfield. Our midfield is as good as thiers.

 

[chook2734]

I'm sure Melbourne would release Daniher from his contract if given the opportunity, and although the demons are currently struggling I think he is a quality coach.

So you'd be happier for us to sit in the eight all year and tumble out as the season goes on??? Isn't that what happened last year and the reason all you anti-CC people didn't want him re-signed???

What exactly makes Daniher a 'quality' coach that CC doesn't have??

 

[wehavethepassion]

So you'd be happier for us to sit in the eight all year and tumble out as the season goes on??? Isn't that what happened last year and the reason all you anti-CC people didn't want him re-signed???

What exactly makes Daniher a 'quality' coach that CC doesn't have??

The knives are out for daniher. 2005 is a mirror of 2004 start really well, May premiers then fall into a hole. He has been there since 1998 and only finals appearances in the even yrs ie 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004(just fell in after losing last 6-7).

He's no quality coach.

 

[theGav56]

Pagan; I like Pagan as a coach and think he manages to get good hardness out of his team. I could see him fitting well with our team. BUT I think that CC is responsible for having drafted and developed this team and a lot of the younger and lower profile players. They respect him, and when they gell will put it on the lione for him because of what he has done for them. Also, I think there is no way that Pagan would be leaving Victoria. He loves it there and is a great coach who will have clubs seeking him out in Melbourne so he wouldn't have to leave if Carlton don't want him. Dockers may be able to pay a little more, but that seems dangerous to me. Why get a coach chasing dollars.

Daniher; Nothing against Daniher. But seriously getting rid of CC for Daniher would be ridiculous. I'd have them on a par. But the disruption that changing coaches would cause would set us back significantly. Not only would it disrupt the players, but Daniher would know little of the players who are not top 22, their weaknesses and strengths. He'd have a big learning curve to go through. He'd sack the existing assistants, bring his own in etc. Why would that be better than giving CC the opportunity to get us there.

Malthouse; I'd have serious doubts if Mick would want to come back, and have serious questions about whether he would be the coach that fans would want. Not to mention the players. What do you think of the recruiting that he presided over at the Eagles and Magpies? To the Magpies he attracted Williams and Morrison. Brilliant moves? Probably a better game day Coach than CC, but I think CC is building a better team than Malthouse would, and I have confidence in the structural changes he has implimented to the team this year.

 

[hoss]

CC, just like the team continues to improve. Both appear to be performing with more consistency and with that has come more confidence.

I don't buy the "we haven't beaten teams in the eight" argument. They haven't been our main problem over the last few years. The problem has been losing games we were expected to win easily ie. Collingwood and Hawthorn in 2004 and even Richmond, Hawthorn, Essendon earlier this year.

There has definitely been some soul-searching (coach and players) going on over the past 5 weeks. Looking at the onfield efforts in the last 4 games it's obvious. Players like Dessie, 211, Josh and Medders look much more "switched on". It takes very little to drop a game. Less than a 5% drop in application and you're gone - that's why the Eagles dropped one to Collingwood and why Carlton accounted for Richmond so easily on the weekend.

At the start of the year I thought we'd be around the 7-9th place mark. It takes time for new players like Black, Carr to gel in a team. I wasn't prepared for the number of long-term injuries we've had and as Ripper kinda pointed out, had we won some of the close games we'd be entrenched in the 8.

This year has been much more positive than last. We've still dropped some home games we shouldn't have but in contrast to last year we are finishing more strongly. More importantly many more of our youngsters have been blooded this year. The development of Mundy, Crowley, Dodd, Johnson, Peake, even 211 has been great to watch. Hardly anyone was given a chance in 2004.

Connelly has been OK. As long as he develops as a coach and realises that he has to continue to improve and be accountable. He has been firmer on the players and I have no doubt that the players both support and respect him.

What did the Junkyard Dog say? "All of youse, just leave him alone!"

 

[Freo Shark]

I dont really understand why we are having this discussion. Wait til season end before we sharpen the axe again.

The remaining 4 games will prove where CC and Freo is at. Unfair it maybe but I feel CC is at his most dangerous time of his career at Freo right now. 6 weeks ago with all the injuries he had to be backed, but it enabled him to find some exceptional talent that are now top 22 material. Now with the list available he needs to prove he can get them working as a team.

2005 will show us if CC has the team with him or not, and if he can keep them fighting the season out. The team is good enough I feel and 2006 will make them better still, its the coaches' job now is to get them to fight 2005 out.

Pav, arguably has exaagerated Freo's performances as he's almost single-handedly dragged Freo back into the 8; He's the defacto leader now and has a Hird like respect within the team. Captain in my books for 2006. Belly will flourish without the leadership burden.

 

[anchor man]

Dom recent attendances say people are unhappy!!!We have 34,000 members and if I am not mistaken we have had 32,000 at our last two games.So that makes it that 2,000 people are not happy hardly an overwhelming portion of our supporters.
That is like the 37 signatures on the partition that was supposed to represent the majority of Freo people who were unhappy with the way things were going.You weren't one of those who signed it were you?
Freo shark what do you mean Pav has exaggerated Freos performance?Is he not in the side to perform like that?That is what champion players do they lift their side when needed.Give the others credit for their performances as well.
The team as a whole have lifted and are playing well together now that we have our full list back in order.I don't think they have fired together on the same week but all have contibuted over the last four or so weeks.Look out when they all decide to play on the one day.

 

[hoss]

The crowd has more to do with the late Sunday arvo starts than anything. The TV coverage starts only 20 mins later, so some have stayed away and watched on TV.

 

[voodoo_86]

What did the Junkyard Dog say? "All of youse, just leave him alone!"

Think you're quoting bomber thompson there?

Re Ottens earlier this year?

Unless there's another quote i'm not aware of

 

[dominguez]

We played Port , Saints , Eagles first up and were 10 points off being 3-0
Playing the tigers early in the season is always a tough ask.
Which 5 did we have a better list than?

They signed him up to provide stability as there was already a faction trying to get rid of him in 2004 when we were in the top 6 fer crying out loud.

Daniher was re-signed at the end of 2003 on the back of a nine game losing streak with 5 wins for the season.
Thompson was re-signed at the end of 2003 on the back of
7 14 1 draw season.
Eddie is extending MM contract a year early.

Plenty of precedent's there.

CC had a better win ratio than all those above and still has even with having to travel accross the country every other week.
IMO the board would have been derelict NOT to keep him on.


All those statements did an excellent job to improve the crowd sizes (not necessarily the crowd) , and helped sell a vision.
That was absolutely necessary as we were broke.

No one could have forseen the bad injury run we had at the start of the year but it has been a blessing in disguise as we have rebuilt on the run and found a few players.

You gave to ask yourself why their respective clubs are struggling when they have had ample time to get their respective lists (Pagan excepted) into the sort of order that they themselves are responsible for.

Regardless of how many wins we finish with this year , blind Freddy can see that we have made progress particularly on the road and in the depth, persistance and quality of our list.

Only a stingy person would deny CC credit for that.

I think some people may have misinterpreted my earlier comments. Dwayo said that we should sign CC until 2012. I just think that while the last month has been encouraging, we must consider the calibre of the opposition and that the next 4 games will be much more challenging. At the end of the season Connolly's performance should be evaluated, not now, and not last February.

In reply to your comments Ripper-

I think nearly everyone would agree we have a better list than collingwood, carlton, richmond and port and many would agree we have a better list than Melbourne. When we play our best we can match it with any one, home or away. We have a plethora of players who can win a game off their own boot, but over the last 2 seasons unfortunately many have been inconsistent.

Why does he need to be contracted until 2007 to provide stability? The bare minimum for him to continue as our coach should be to qualify for the finals. If the board predicted he would be under pressure midseason they should have gauranteed him until the end of the season, which is when his performance should be judged. The backlash we saw after the kangaroos game wouldn't have been any greater if Connolly wasn't contracted beyond this year. People were angry not only with CC and the teams performance, but also with the board for making such an important decision hastily. It's now going to take a lot for that trust to return. People will still support the team everytime they run on to the field, but the suspicion of the board and their motives will linger.

Other coaches have had their contracts extended after poor seasons, but I would say they were re-contracted because the club thought they were on the right track, not because they thought they might receive negative media attention or because their team have a tough draw. The other clubs that extended the contracts of their coach were preventing other teams from approaching their coach, but that couldn't have been part of the equation for us because no one would be looking for a coach in February. Also the relationship between Schwabb and Connolly made people suspicious.

Sure building expectations can help boost crowds, but you have to expect a backlash if you don't deliver. In reality it's winning that gets people through the gates. If we had a less media savvy coach who had us in the top 4 from 2003-2005 I think the crowds would be as big, if not bigger than present.

Sure we did have a bad run with injuries, but that doesn't excuse some of the woeful performances we have witnessed this season. It also doesn't explain were superb in round 7 against the pies and against geelong in round 10 but were woeful in rounds 8 (essendon), 9 (hawthorn) and 11 (Brisbane).

Daniher, Malthouse and Pagan are struggling but sometimes clubs just need a change. After a while the message stops getting through and a change of coach is required. Rodney Eade is a prime example. Things clearly weren't working at the swans, but that doesn't mean he isn't a good coach. Apart from Sheedy there aren't many coaches who are at the one club for more than 7 or 8 years.

We certainly have made progress and increased our depth since CC arrived, but considering the age of our list at the start of '02 and where we have come from prior to Connollys arrival we were certain to improve. Have we made progress over the last 2 seasons? I'm not sure.

I don't have a problem with Connolly. I wish him the best and I hope that he is the man to bring success to our football club. I know we've suffered enough over the last 10 completed seasons and certainly deserve to finish the season on a high. I think that his contract extension was unwarranted when it happend but hopefully in the coming weeks the boards decision will be justified.

 

[Freo Shark]

Dom recent attendances say people are unhappy!!!We have 34,000 members and if I am not mistaken we have had 32,000 at our last two games.So that makes it that 2,000 people are not happy hardly an overwhelming portion of our supporters.
That is like the 37 signatures on the partition that was supposed to represent the majority of Freo people who were unhappy with the way things were going.You weren't one of those who signed it were you?
Freo shark what do you mean Pav has exaggerated Freos performance?Is he not in the side to perform like that?That is what champion players do they lift their side when needed.Give the others credit for their performances as well.
The team as a whole have lifted and are playing well together now that we have our full list back in order.I don't think they have fired together on the same week but all have contibuted over the last four or so weeks.Look out when they all decide to play on the one day.

What I was saying re Pav was his form has been so tremendous and dominating that he has perhaps disguised what flaws may still exist in our plan. It was not intended to be a negative the opposite. Neither was I having a go at Freo, they have played very well thus far.

 

[hoss]

Think you're quoting bomber thompson there?

Re Ottens earlier this year?

Unless there's another quote i'm not aware of

of course! That's where I've heard it before. Thanks.

 

[jarman]

CC until 2012 - you have to be kidding. Freo has beaten the sides who are in the bottom half and when they play Eagles, Saints and Port at home, we will see how good they really are.

We have won the games because of Pav - he has been absolutely terrific and provided a focal point. Had CC started playing him up forward two years ago, Freo would have been in the finals in 2004 and won a finals to boot.

It was not through CC initiative that Pav is up forward but because supporters, commentators and jounalists were suggesting this for some time.
Pav was born to play up forward.