Gillon McLachlan wants coaches to play more exciting football, good luck with that

SO, incoming AFL boss Gillon McLachlan wants coaches to play exciting football? Good luck with that, says Mark Robinson.

SO, Gill McLachlan wants to talk to coaches about playing more “exciting” football.

The sentiment is admirable, but how would that work?

Best do it by telephone so it doesn’t get too awkward.

“Horse, Gillon here, is there any chance you can give up your `defence wins premierships’ philosophy? You know, good for the game and all that stuff. And can you play Buddy out of the square?’’

“Rossy, Gill here mate, I know you’ll play anywhere, anyone, anytime, you know, but this thinking about being top four defence and top four offence ... any chance you might make it just top four offence. It’s a non-negotiable. Is that fair or reasonable?’’

“Richo, hello champ, Gill here, just wondering, the next time you’re playing Hawthorn can you please put players behind the ball so you don’t lose by 145 points. It’s not good for the game and your fans won’t turn up, the gate will be down, you know what I mean.”

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News_Rich_Media: Sydney Swans soared to a 123-44 win over a lacklustre Brisbane Lions outfit on Saturday night to cement their place in the top eight.

“Roosy, Gill here, get the cheque? Good... um, want to talk about how defence is killing footy and your philosophy ... (Click). Roosy? Roosy?’’

“Macca, it’s the other Macca. I know you’re teaching the young Dogs to play finals footy, which is based around contested ball. I hear it every week, contested ball, contested ball. But any chance for some spread and goals.”

“Kenny ... keep it going, mate.”

“Clarko, Clarko, Clarko ... mate, what are you doing? We took Buddy from you and you’re still killing it. Not great for the game, Clarko. Ease up on the likes of the Saints.”

“Sando, please ... play Tex. We don’t run champions at picnic races.’’

“Bucks, loved your cowboy costume at my 40th and love how the boys are playing. Hi to Tania.”News_Rich_Media: Essendon snapped their three-game losing streak, holding on for an eight-point win over Western Bulldogs.

Seriously, what would he say to the likes of Brad Scott, Mark Thompson and Damien Hardwick, whose teams are frustrating and inconsistent. The coaches are struggling to work how to play more exciting, attacking footy, let alone Gillon asking them to play it.

Certainly, the new CEO could forgo any conversation with Mick Malthouse. McLachlan hasn’t played the game at the highest level, and seeing how Malthouse treated former AFL footy boss Adrian Anderson with contempt, we don’t hold too much hope of a positive outcome there.

The point is, while McLachlan’s intentions are laudable, what hope has he of convincing the 18 coaches to be mindful of how the game should be played?

St Kilda coach Alan Richardson said earlier this year: “I’ll be honest, I’m not really into what’s great for the game. In season ... it’s all about getting results.”News_Image_File: St Kilda coach Alan Richardson is all about getting results. Picture: Michael Klein.

That’s what coaches are employed to do: win games of football.

That means they meticulously plan to defend and pressure the opposition, to take away time and space, which makes games, at times, a slog and a rolling mass of players intent on stopping the ball from spreading from stoppages.

North Melbourne coach Brad Scott said he would welcome discussions with McLachlan.

“It’s a good opportunity for coaches to put their views forward to the new CEO of the AFL, the way they see the game and the way they try to coach the game,’’ Scott said.

“I welcome any engagement between the AFL and coaches and he might just find out the coaches actually do love the game as much or more than most.”

Love of the game is not the issue. And, to be frank, talking to the coaches is not the issue.

Coaches work in the parameters, so let’s change the parameters and surely that starts and ends with a reduction in interchange rotations.