Rodney Eade won’t be made a scapegoat for Gold Coast’s winless start to 2017, CEO Mark Evans says
GOLD Coast CEO Mark Evans has put the entire football club on notice after a shocking start to the season leaves Rodney Eade and Gary Ablett under pressure.
Gold Coast
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RODNEY Eade and Gary Ablett are copping the brunt of criticism after the Suns’ shocking start to the season but new CEO Mark Evans has put the entire football club on notice.
Evans has been furious with what the Suns have dished up in their opening two weeks but believes he has not been in the job long enough to identify the root of the club’s problems.
Rather than finger point at any individuals he has called for a collective response to the embarrassing 102 point loss to GWS.
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He responded to speculation Eade was already a dead man walking by declaring any decisions made in Round 2 could only be considered knee jerk.
But there is no doubt the next two weeks are critical for the out-of-contract Eade.
If they emerge from the bottom of the ladder clash with Carlton still winless Eade would be in a fight to keep his job.
A win or two in the next fortnight would significantly ease the immediate pressure on Eade.
The performance of every aspect of the football operations, including all coaches, football manager Marcus Ashcroft and list manager Scott Clayton will still be comprehensively assessed throughout the season.
The players will not be spared the blowtorch after Evans voiced concerns at what he suspects to be mental fragility among the list.
Evans is undergoing a crash course on Gold Coast Suns history to determine what has happened in the past that may have led to the complete lack of competitiveness being shown by players.
He was preaching calm and unity on Monday night as the football media turned on Eade and Ablett.
However, he stressed the performances to date have been unacceptable.
“No one should accept that,’’ he said.
“What we need is a collective response.
“There will be no scapegoats, no excuses, just a commitment to raise the intensity at the contest.
“How does that happen, from what I have seen in football, our coaching group, our leadership need to raise the standards.’’
Evans said rather than grill Eade, he had spoken to the coach and asked what assistance he needed to turn things around.
The Suns already bolstered their coaching panel in the off-season with the appointment of Christian Stagliano in a coaching innovation role to assist Eade educate the players and his coaching panel.
Gold Coast have some reinforcements on the way with Jarrod Harbrow and Trent McKenzie returning in the NEAFL on the weekend.
Brayden Fiorini has also been in good touch and Brandon Matera booted four goals in the NEAFL loss to GWS.
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