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Adam Kingsley has opened up on why he missed out on the Carlton and Collingwood coaching jobs and weighed in on a Tiger’s exit from Punt Road.
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Adam Kingsley says his inexperience in running a football department ultimately cost him in his bids to be the new senior coach of Collingwood and Carlton.
Kingsley, an assistant at Richmond, was in the final lot of candidates for both vacancies at the two Melbourne powerhouse clubs but lost out to Craig McRae for the Pies gig and to Michael Voss for the Blues one.
He said he was motivated to improve himself to realise his dream of becoming a senior coach.
“That’s the attitude, I missed out on some jobs that I really desired but I’m not there … I need to improve,” he said on SEN.
“There’s some stuff that I need to work on and that’s part of growing getting some feedback and acting upon it.”
Kingsley said there was one key area he needed to improve in.
“The overriding factor was the running a football department and it appeared that ‘Fly’ (McRae) and Vossy came across stronger in that area,” he said.
“I know Vossy managed the leadership program, was in a senior assistant role at Port Adelaide.
“I need to get experience in managing people outside of those who are directly under me.”
Kinglsey also said the prospect of losing young ruck/forward Callum Coleman-Jones to North Melbourne was disappointing for the Tigers.
“(He) can play forward, can play ruck … they’re few and far between,” he said.
“The fact we’re losing him is disappointing.”
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TIGERS’ RESURGENCE: TOP-5 PICK COULD BE INBOUND
Richmond assistant Adam Kingsley wants to chase another premiership with the Tigers next year as they look to take their strongest hand in a decade to this year’s draft.
Kingsley came second to Michael Voss in the race for Carlton’s senior coaching job and declined an opportunity to join the Blues’ assistant coaching ranks.
Instead, he is locked in for another year at Richmond alongside former Carlton senior coach David Teague as the Tigers try to relaunch at the top-four again next season.
Richmond is set to have as many as six top-40 picks and will try to bundle some of those selections together to surge higher up the draft order.
Damien Hardwick’s men have picks 7, 15 (from Geelong), 26, 28 (from St Kilda), 38 (Mabior Chol compensation) and could land 40 from North Melbourne in the deal for ruck-forward Callum Coleman-Jones. They also have 42 and 47.
It puts the Tigers in their strongest draft position since 2009 when they picked up superstar Dustin Martin at pick 3 as well as Ben Griffiths (19) and premiership defender David Astbury (35).
The swathe of draft choices gives the Tiger the capacity to go hunting a third first-round pick or move up the order from 7 and 15 in a key list management period for the club which won premierships in 2017 and 2019-20.
Clubs are aware the Bulldogs’ No. 17 and Greater Western Sydney’s pick two are both up for grabs after preliminary talks on the opening day of the trade period on Monday.
The Giants are open to shuffling down the order from pick two as they eye a key position prospect in this year’s draft such as brilliant ruckman Mac Andrew.
At pick two Richmond would have guaranteed access to one of the two best young midfielders in the country in slick playmaker Finn Callaghan and hard nut Ben Hobbs.
The Tigers have been linked to a play on Hobbs who is widely considered a superstar onballer and future captain in the making.
The Horsham product, who averaged 30 possessions a game in the NAB league this year, would be a long-term replacement for ex-skipper Trent Cotchin.
But the Tigers, who have pick seven, will have to move up the order and secure a top-five pick to land him, according to recruiting sources.
The Bulldogs are also open to shuffling some of their picks and drop down the order from 17 in a bid to bolster their total draft points and snaffle father-son gem Sam Darcy.
Darcy is expected to go in the top-three, meaning the Dogs will land the most outstanding tall talent in back-to-back drafts after landing Jamarra Ugle-Hagan at No. 1 last year.
Richmond will also be boosted by the return of Martin next year as he ramps up his training after a serious kidney injury which stripped 10kg from his frame.
The Tigers are excited about the make-up of their coaching department next year with Kingsley staying and Teague expected to take over offence or ball movement.
It comes as Sydney Stack is also set to remain at Tigerland on an incentivised contract, at the end of a tumultuous year that started with him behind bars.
Stack’s agent, Paul Peos, of Inside 50 Player Management, confirmed to the Herald Sun that the 21-year-old had all-but agreed to terms on a one-year deal.
The Cats and Blues are still on the hunt for assistant coaches to support Voss at Ikon Park and Geelong’s Chris Scott in 2022.
Richmond senior advisor Neil Balme said Hardwick was thrilled with the coaching set up for 2022 with former hard nut defender Steve Morris taking over the VFL team.
“Adam Kingsley is contracted (at Richmond) and we are planning (for 2022) as normal on that front,” Balme said.
“If something really significant comes up (he will deal with it) but we are expecting him to be here and they are working through all that (assistant coaching roles) now.
“Damien was really keen to have David (Teague) and they know each other well.”
DEES LOCK IN ANOTHER FRINGE FORWARD
Melbourne forward Jake Melksham will see out his contract at the Demons next year after giving consideration to a move to a third AFL club.
Melksham played only 12 games at the Demons this year as the new wave of small forwards took over, playing his last game in Round 22 before watching the finals from the sidelines.
The former Essendon player, who crossed to the Demons and then sat out 12 months through the Dons player bans, had been a dangerous goalkicking forward who kicked 32 goals in 2018.
But he fell out of favour as Kysaiah Pickett, Charlie Spargo and Alex Neal-Bullen all played effective roles in the finals as small forwards alongside Ben Brown, Luke Jackson, Tom McDonald and Bayley Fritsch.
The Demons marched to a premiership with mid-sizer Fritsch kicking six goals in the Grand Final as Spargo and Pickett applied immense forward pressure.
Rivals keen for mid-sized forwards do not have the salary cap given uncertainty over total player payments to make bids for a player of Melksham’s calibre.
So he will attempt to make himself a senior regular again for the Demons.
Veteran defender Michael Hibberd, who also crossed from Essendon to Melbourne, will secure a one-year deal with the Demons.
SAINTS OPEN TO DEAL FOR HARD NUT LONG
St Kilda is open to trading hard-nut utility Ben Long as the club looks to bolster its hand at this year’s draft.
Long’s management has reached out to clubs about a potential fresh start, but without any takers the 24-year-old remains happy to stay at Moorabbin for next season.
Midfielder Seb Ross, 28, is also an unrestricted free agent and remains out of contract despite receiving an offer from the Saints.
The two-time best and fairest winner and St Kilda vice-captain finished seventh in the best and fairest again this year after another consistent season.
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But the chances of securing a big payday are limited due to the tight salary caps across the competition.
Club sources on Sunday said this trade period looms as a fizzer with limited scope and cap room to land a big fish recruit.
Essendon was contacted about Long but the Bombers are yet to show any interest as Ben Rutten’s men look to the draft after successfully landing exciting trio Nik Cox, Archie Perkins and Zach Reid last year.
The Saints have picks 9, 49 and 67 in this year’s draft and want to be in a strong position to target some top-line young talent, according to chief executive Matt Finnis.
That includes next generation academy products Mitchito Owens, a wingman from Sandringham, and former gun basketballer turned powerful midfielder Marcus Windhager.
A deal for Long or a free agency compensation pick for Ross would bolster the Saints’ position to nab the NGA products depending on where rival bids come.
Finnis said it was time for the Saints to “regenerate” at the draft after missing the eight this year.
The club is also trying to prepare an offer to land Gold Coast star forward Ben King in next year’s trade period.
“I’m looking forward to the draft this year,” Finnis said.
“There is an opportunity for the club to really regenerate and some bring in some talented youth and hopefully even take advantage of the next generation academy really for the first time.
“There might be a couple of players there which will be terrific.”
The club that could poach Cats big man
Geelong big man Darcy Fort is exploring his trade options – with Brisbane in the mix – after another season of limited opportunities with the Cats.
Fort, who won the Cats’ VFL best and fairest on Thursday night, has found himself behind Rhys Stanley, Esava Ratugolea and Mark Blicavs in the pecking order in recent seasons.
The 28-year-old didn’t play a game this year and has only played eight career AFL matches.
Fort’s manager Scott Lucas said he was looking at his options, with the Lions looking to provide some back-up for ruckman Oscar McInerney.
“Rhys Stanley has signed an extension there so we look at it pragmatically and go ‘clearly they (Geelong) are pleased with what Rhys is doing’,” Lucas said on Trade Radio.
“Darcy didn’t play a game this year for Geelong so therefore you do have to look around for him and try and present some options for him to get the most out of his career.
“We have had a look into it and there is still a bit of work to do but we are hopeful.”
Fort is contracted to the Cats, but if an opportunity arises, he would be happy to move.
“The reality is he’s contracted, so if Geelong says no (to a trade option), then they say no,” Lucas said. “But if a club is open to a discussion elsewhere and it works for both parties then we’re always looking to explore for players.”
The ‘uncertainty’ holding back star Blue’s new deal
Carlton is set to ramp up conversations with Sam Walsh before Christmas in an effort to lock away their young superstar on a lucrative, long-term deal before the start of next season.
But Walsh’s manager Scott Lucas admitted that the uncertainty surrounding the Blues throughout this season meant his client had been happy to wait before recommitting to the club.
“You had the uncertainty of Carlton throughout the year … there was a lot of uncertainty unfortunately for those players and I think any player just wants to see where it all lands before (they) commit long-term,” Lucas said on Trade Radio.
Lucas confirmed the Blues had already held initial discussions with the 21-year-old – as the Herald Sun reported earlier this year – in an effort to secure him before he comes out of contract at the end of next season.
“I am sure that before Christmas, if they are back training … then we will have a bit more of a chat about it,” Lucas said.
“I’m sure there will be speculation, that seems to be par for the course with any really good player that doesn’t sign up even a year or two in advance of when their contract expires.
“He’s really enjoyed his time at the Carlton Football Club, there’s no rush from our end, but in saying that there’s no issue either.”
Walsh’s stocks have risen significantly this season, which could see him command somewhere in the vicinity of $1 million per season on the open market.
He finished fourth in this year’s Brownlow Medal, only six votes behind the eventual winner Ollie Wines.
It comes as Brendon Goddard said Walsh should be elevated to the Blues’ sole vice-captain next season as he loomed as the club’s likely leader in the coming seasons.
Walsh took his game to a new level this season, playing all 22 games for the Blues in a frustrating season for the club.
He is yet to play in a final in his 61 games, but with the Blues likely to secure Adam Cerra and George Hewett, it will boost the midfield stocks as they look to play finals again under new coach Michael Voss.
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Another young Giant set to turn back on Vic interest
Greater Western Sydney forward Jake Riccardi is edging closer to signing a new deal, despite attracting interest from Victorian clubs.
The 21-year-old managed only nine games for two goals this year, as he fell behind the likes of Jesse Hogan in terms of senior selection.
Riccardi is keen to back himself to become a long-term member of the side, mindful that the Giants were very keen to keep him.
Meanwhile, Bulldog Roarke Smith is likely to win a new deal in the coming weeks. He kicked the club’s first goal of this year’s Grand Final in his 14th game for the season – his best season return since his 2015 debut.
Dons livewire tipped to bounce back
Essendon and Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti’s manager Scott Lucas are confident the small forward can return to his best footy next season after he missed out on the club’s 2021 finals campaign.
Lucas said McDonald-Tipungwuti had some niggling body issues late in the season which impacted on his fitness and his form.
“I think if the season had gone a week or two longer, the training he had been able to do the previous two or three weeks, he would have had a really good chance to come back into the team,” Lucas said.
McDonald-Tipungwuti kicked 34 goals in 20 games, but didn’t play again after Round 21.
Bombers confirm talks with Saints hard nut
Essendon has spoken to unwanted St Kilda midfielder Luke Dunstan as he searches for a new club.
Dunstan has been let go by the Saints despite polling 11 Brownlow votes in his 12 matches in 2021, averaging 25 disposals and almost six clearances a game.
Confirming his St Kilda exit two weeks ago, the 26-year-old said: “I’d love to go there (to Essendon). My good friend Nick Hind went there last year during the trade period and we all saw what he did this year, so that’d be nice.
“I’ll let my manager Robbie D’Orazio have a word to him (Essendon list boss Adrian Dodoro) and hopefully we can make it happen.”
And talks have progressed since then.
“It’s a conversation Adrian has had with Luke and that is an option,” Bombers footy manager Josh Mahoney said on Trade Radio on Friday.
“This period, we’re sitting here and waiting for opportunities. We’re not really going into it with a targeted approach but we’ll see what falls out.
“It’ll be interesting with the salary cap, we’re in a really strong position with the salary cap so it gives us great flexibility in terms of whatever players become available.”
Mahoney said Essendon would “keep an open mind” about targeting rival players including Gold Coast star forward ben King.
But King’s manager has urged rival clubs to back off the third-year forward and let him play after continued speculation about an imminent return to Victoria.
King has been linked to a range of trade scenarios with Melbourne clubs in coming weeks, with St Kilda CEO Matt Finnis cheekily saying he would “look good” in a Saints jumper mid-year.
Former Port Adelaide player Kane Cornes said Victorian clubs should be “chips in” on King with Essendon the perfect fit, as Matthew Lloyd said he could take Essendon to the “promised land”.
The young Gold Coast spearhead will have a decision to make on his future if the Suns again underperform next year given he will fall out of contract after a two-year extension signed last year.
But his manager Robbie D’Orazio told the Herald Sun he hoped King would be given a chance to thrive without distracting speculation about his loyalty.
“He has been continuously linked to rivals and it’s disrespectful that it has been spoken about when all he’s trying to do is win at Gold Coast,” he told the Herald Sun.
“He is a 21-year-old trying to learn his craft and he’s had to put up with all the speculation for the past three years, literally since draft night.
“I think it’s disrespectful to the Suns as well and I know for a fact Ben doesn’t like or want the attention.
“The last conversation I had with him when we caught up was how excited he was about the list and group and how he had full faith in the coaching department and club.”
“We only did his contract last year and he kicked 47 goals in a bottom four team.
“Gold Coast are doing everything right and getting Mabior Chol helps him and they have been nothing but fantastic for Ben.”
The tight-knit young Suns are determined to build something together after so many underperforming seasons at Gold Coast.
King, Izak Rankine and Jack Lukosius all re-signed after only a single season at the club in deals that will expire at the end of the season.
The Suns will put a contract offer to King again over summer and he remains a chance to commit to the club again before Round 1 for several seasons.
While there is a chance he might at some stage return to play in Melbourne, his loyalty or commitment to the Suns can scarcely be questioned given his on-field contributions.
The Herald Sun revealed this year in its annual rich list King was being paid $650,000 per season in his two-year deal, with the AFL also paying him a promotional allowance.
The AFL has scoffed at speculation it would help fund a $2 million-per-year deal for Alastair Clarkson on the Gold Coast for 2023 if Dew was sacked next year.
But Dew will go into his fifth year under intense pressure, aware he must show considerable improvement after seasons of four, three, five and seven wins to guarantee his job next season.
Former Richmond captain Wayne Campbell has become the club’s new football boss, with Touk Miller on the verge of signing a new long-term deal after a brilliant All Australian season.
FAVOURITE SON RETURNS TO PRINCES PARK
Carlton has welcomed one of its former favourite sons Aaron Hamill back to the club where he will help to put in place plans to make the Blues a defensive force next year.
Hamill, who played five seasons with the Blues before moving to St Kilda in 2001, has been added to Michael Voss’ new-looking coaching panel, where he will take charge of the defence.
The move comes as Voss highlighted the club’s need to tighten its team defence in order to stop the run of consecutive goals regularly kicked against the Blues in recent seasons.
Hamill, 44, had spent 10 seasons working in a variety of coaching and development roles at St Kilda, but stepped away from the club at the end of this season.
He can’t wait to get started with the Blues as Voss looks to fill a number of assistant coaching roles in the coming weeks, given the shake-up the club has had since the end of the season.
“The discussions I had with Brad Lloyd and Michael Voss centred around a clear vision they had for this football club and how they will achieve it – to be part of building that is incredibly exciting,” Hamill said.
“It is a privilege to be back here at the Carlton Football Club, the passion of this place and the members and supporters certainly has not changed in 20 years – we want to build something special for them.
“My approach to coaching has been pretty simple over the last 10 years, maintain high standards and high accountability, I have a real passion to work with and develop players and with where this group is at right now and the path they are looking to take – it is going to be a great environment to be part of.”
Hamill had been one of the Blues; most popular players in 92 games from 1996 to 2000 before accepting a lucrative deal to join the Saints.
He went on to play 98 games with the Saints from 2001 to 2006, with his last game coming in an elimination final loss to Melbourne.
The one-time forward impressed in his time as a Saints assistant coach – his roles included development coach, forwards coach for four seasons, coach of the club’s VFL affiliate and for the past two seasons a senior assistant coach, working in team defence.
Blues football boss Brad Lloyd said the club was delighted to welcome Hamill back.
“Aaron is an excellent communicator, at building connections with people, has an outstanding knowledge of the defensive side of the game and a determination to lead a high-performance culture – they are qualities we are looking to add to our coaching group,” Lloyd said.
“Aaron has been involved at the elite level as a player and coach for almost 25 years, that experience of what it takes to not only perform but to succeed in this game is invaluable at any football club and for our playing group.”
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