AFL Coaches Association boss Mark Brayshaw says the AFL’s coaches are not to blame for the look of the game
ACCORDING to AFL Coaches Association boss Mark Brayshaw, it is the rules, and not the coaches, that are to blame for any aesthetic problems plaguing the game. Do you agree?
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AFL Coaches Association boss Mark Brayshaw says the AFL’s coaches are not to blame for any aesthetic problems plaguing the game.
Various commentators have pointed the finger at coaches for driving ultra-defensive strategies which have slowed the game and scoring rates.
But Brayshaw said once the rules were set each season, the coaches’ prime responsibility was to win games for the club and supporters.
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“It’s a bit rich to blame the coaches,” Brayshaw said.
“Some of the coaches, and in particular the ones who have been in the job for quite a while, have been quite vocal and public about what they think needs to happen.
“They have a significant interest in the health and wellbeing of the game and that has been apparent to me ever since I took this job on.
“So, while coaches are quite vociferous in their views in how it ought to be governed and led, and without fail have offered their opinions on the wellbeing of the game, the rules of the game is not within their domain.
“At the end of the day, they interpret the rules and try and win - that is their responsibility and that’s what their boards want them to do.”
Brayshaw said some of the more experienced coaches been quite vocal in recent years at the annual coaches’ dinner, in particular, to suggest solutions to the congestion conundrum.
A date is currently being set for this year’s gathering, most likely at CEO Gil McLachlan’s house during the bye rounds.
Brayshaw met with AFL football operations manager Steve Hocking last week to discuss some matters including the coaches’ dinner.
Brayshaw said Alastair Clarkson’s strong views on paying incorrect disposal free kicks to help clear congestion was a leading example of a coach caring for the game’s direction.
He said some of the coaches supported rule changes or directions which disadvantaged their own team’s strengths.
“In some cases I have been in their company when that has been almost counter-productive to their own team,” he said.
“In particular, whenever they are invited to Gil McLachlan’s house for dinner, this sort of topic comes up and there seems to be a very non-partisan view of where the game is going.
“You couldn’t be a fly on the wall at any of those dinners and think they’re trying to extort or doing anything against the best interest of the game.
“But once the rules are set they’re into it. “
Brayshaw said appointing coaches Chris Fagan and Brad Scott on the AFL’s new super group was a step forward.
“I’m thrilled two of them are on there to represent the coaches’ perspective,” he said.
“Those two have been in various ways involved for a long while and I’m sure they would be able to add to it.
“That broader committee involving a few stakeholders make quite a lot of sense.”
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Originally published as AFL Coaches Association boss Mark Brayshaw says the AFL’s coaches are not to blame for the look of the game