Mick Malthouse looks at what the future holds for some big name coaches this off-season
ALAN Richardson’s Saints failed the test against Melbourne yesterday, but MICK MALTHOUSE says this season isn’t make-or-break — it’s next year the heat will be on.
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SO the domino effect has begun.
Rodney Eade has fallen on his sword, and if I can say this — as much as it has finished on a sour note for him, he has been a very good coaching servant of the league, leading Sydney, the Western Bulldogs and Gold Coast for 377 games — 14th overall in history.
He should be congratulated on a distinguished career.
But it is that time of the year.
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When a senior coach goes, it’s back page news, but there will be numerous assistant coaches departing soon, too.
The AFL coaching fraternity is like a carousel, you jump on, you jump off and sometimes you are pushed off.
So now the speculation begins as to who will replace Eade.
Dean Solomon is in the seat, but very few interim coaches get the final gig.
Suns CEO Mark Evans is an astute administrator and football person.
Does he want an experienced coach or is he prepared to take on a rookie? He cannot afford a mistake.
History shows us that leading a team from the Gold Coast — be it AFL, NRL or NBL — has the potential to become a poisoned chalice.
It’s a transient society that doesn’t lend itself to any long-term supporter strength.
The Suns are at the crossroads. Given the world and with such high expectations early, they are yet to really fire a shot.
Already big-name players such as Jaeger O’Meara have become disgruntled and left.
There is current speculation around Gary Ablett and captain Tom Lynch and their desire to move.
Whoever gets this job has a massive task in front of him — retaining players, putting a plug in the injury list, and giving the team a unique flavour the supporters can hang on to.
It’s a big job for the club, and the league in my opinion, and may even become a weight around the AFL’s neck.
While I don’t see too many current or former coaches being in the mix for this job, there is already a hint that things could change at North Melbourne soon.
I think Brad Scott has done a terrific job, but when the club’s chairman, Ben Buckley, was interviewed recently he didn’t appear to give total reassurance that the coach’s position was safe.
So maybe the door has been left open for Scott to move to the Suns.
We know the speculation has been constant at Collingwood. Will Nathan Buckley stay or go?
The critics change their opinion each weekend, depending on the result of the Magpies’ games, which is grossly unfair.
My gut feeling is that with the departure of Gary Pert, and the hint that there will be changes within the recruitment area, plus a clean out of assistant coaches (because all but one are uncontracted), that Buckley will survive and be given a clean slate to start again.
The Dockers have been a major disappointment again, going from second in 2013 and third in 2015, to 16th last year and missing the finals again this year.
But Ross Lyon has a long-term contract. Being in his sixth year at Fremantle he would be planning to get as many A-list players as he can through trade and the draft to give the Dockers a chance of a final-eight position next year.
Alan Richardson’s Saints have been close enough. He led them to ninth last year and most pundits (myself included) had them in the eight this season.
This year was not necessarily going to be a make or break year for him, but Sunday’s game against Melbourne was make-or-break game for this season’s potential outcome — the Saints failed the test.
Next year Richardson will be under enormous pressure to make the finals.
Simon Goodwin would appear to be safe as the Demons have made solid progress this season. So, too, Chris Fagan in his first season in charge of the Brisbane Lions.
Carlton hasn’t advanced on last year’s standing, but it has a record number of Rising Star nominees currently playing, and the Blues are constantly talking about the future, so Brendon Bolton is also safe.
Although the Hawks won’t make the eight this year, moving out Sam Mitchell and Jordan Lewis hasn’t hurt them, whereas the introduction of Tom Mitchell has been a masterstroke.
From where Hawthorn started the season to the recent big scalps it has claimed, Alastair Clarkson’s future shouldn’t even be remotely under threat.
West Coast is a proud club and failure to reach the finals doesn’t sit well, though September action is still a possibility.
Adam Simpson has already voiced his frustration at his team’s lack of finishing power this year, so the Eagles will no doubt review their fitness staff and football department — one of many clubs who will do so at season’s end.
It seems so flippant to just report that this or that person has been let go by a club, or a player placed for trade, because it is a truly harrowing experience for player and coach.
In my experience it is the toughest and least liked time of the year.
These people are firstly humans, and generally good people, often with families who rely on them.
Sitting opposite a player, quite often still in his 20s, and telling him that his career is over, and watching his world crumble right before you, is shattering.
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I always dreaded those meetings.
Unfortunately, in football it is common practice.
With little of the season left, players who are under the microscope have limited time to resurrect their careers.
To be frank, most clubs already know by now what player movement will take place in two weeks’ time and beyond.
So we wait. The coaching carousel may be left fairly empty this year, but the players’ ride will soon be in full swing.
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