Melbourne, Collingwood under the spotlight, Essendon coach Mark Thompson keen to stay on board
ESSENDON coach Mark Thompson wants to stay on in 2015 as long as there is a position for him + Melbourne and Collingwood under the spotlight.
AFL 360
ESSENDON interim coach Mark Thompson last night would not rule out a joint role with James Hird next year, but said the practicalities were unclear.
Hird, contracted to coach in 2015-16, can return to the club on Monday after serving his 12-month AFL ban.
“I really haven’t given it much thought, I really haven’t spoken to anyone about it ... as long as it works, whatever it is,” Thompson told AFL 360.
“I’m happy to stay if they really want, and it fits and it’s OK a role (then) no problems but I don’t sort of see one there at the moment ...
“(Co-coaching is) going into real territory you’d have to perhaps sit down, have a good think about. I’m not sure how it would work.”
But Thompson was quick to point out he was keen to stick around and experience the fruits of this year’s development.
“I don’t want to just walk out and leave this team either, I am invested, but it’s just where it all fits,” he said.
“Definitely the years to come are going to be built on what’s happened in the past. They should have some good years.”
MELBOURNE coach Paul Roos did not take any backward steps when quizzed about the Demons’ latest disappointing loss.
The Sydney premiership coach took full responsibility for Melbourne’s capitulation at the hands of Greater Western Sydney.
“No question I failed in my duty as the senior coach of the Melbourne Football Club (on Sunday),” Roos said.
“I didn’t speak to the players after the game because sometimes it can be a little like Groundhog Day ... you can also damage relationships like that — say things you regret.”
Roos described the heavy 11 goal loss as the “most frustrating game” of his coaching career.
“I actually believe in the players more than the players actually believe in themselves.”
Earlier in the program, Robbo and Gerard discussed Melbourne’s request for a priority pick in the 2014 national draft.
But attention quickly returned to Sunday’s loss to the Giants.
“It was shameful, it took the club and supporters back in time,” Robbo said.
“I think that belief (that we’re getting better) is shaken right now.”
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QUICK HANDS
NORTH Melbourne champion Brent Harvey was under fire for his bizarre elbow to the throat move during Sunday’s win over the Western Bulldogs.
Harvey will front the AFL Tribunal on Tuesday evening charged with misconduct — pressing down on Liam Picken’s throat in a scrap off the ball.
Robbo said it was a matter of how many weeks for Harvey and not whether 381-games veteran was guilty or not.
“It’s not a good act ... I can’t see how Boomer can get off that.”
Whateley agreed although mindful not to place it in the same bracket as Brian Lake’s chokehold on Drew Petrie.
“It’s not in the Lake category, (but) it’s in the same genre.”
Harvey has a 40 per cent loading over his head due to an existing bad record.
FREMANTLE star Nathan Fyfe’s hit on Jordan Lewis was also looked at with Gerard suggesting the Dockers could look at trying to get the incident downgraded to “reckless”.
Robbo agreed. “I reckon he was going for the chest and he went up and finished around Jordan’s neck.”
RICHMOND’S charge into finals calculations promoted this from Robbo: “(Richmond’s) like a mate; a bit erratic, get drunk too often and muck up but you really, really like them!”
COLLINGWOOD was also on the agenda with both Robbo and Gerard all but writing the Magpies off in 2014.
“They’re gone,” Robbo said.
“The Magpies were gone before the injuries really set in.
“They’ve got to have faith in the pathway they’ve taken ... that pathway is a bit shaken.
ON THE COUCH — Fox Footy
POLAR opposites Melbourne and Fremantle led the program after respective Round 21 performances.
The Demons’ capitulation fuelled talks for Melbourne to clean house, while the Dockers shot back into the premiership spotlight.
“The Melbourne supporters left the place (MCG) in a state of absolute despair,” respected AFL journalist Mike Sheahan said.
“This time I think the Melbourne people were saying where the hell are we going?”
On The Couc h host Gerard Healy said it was time for Melbourne to trade Jack Watts.
“I think it serves the purposes of both parties for Jack to move out.”
The panel was united on Melbourne not being awarded a priority pick.
“I’m not sure about the timing, we know the need is there (but) I’m not sure that you should be giving these things out,” Sheahan said.
Meanwhile, Fremantle’s landmark win over Hawthorn had Sheahan, Healy and Jason Dunstall singing the Dockers’ praises.
“Maybe Ross (Lyon) has come to the decision you can’t win big games, finals scoring 10-12 goals,” Sheahan said.
Dunstall put Fremantle’s success to a midfield firing on all cylinders and the improvement from likes of Nathan Fyfe, Cameron Sutcliffle, Stephen Hill, Paul Duffield and Lachie Neale.
“The Hawks were well beaten in the midfield,” he said.
“They didn’t have a lot of help in the middle of the ground — Mundy, Fyfe and Barlow ran amok.”
RICHMOND defender Alex Rance was the special guest on the program.
Rance spoke about several topics including his niggling tactics against Adelaide forward Taylor Walker.
“We had a few nice words to each other,” he said.
“I loved the contest ... I would never complain about anything he did to me and I’m sure he wouldn’t complain.”
TIGERS’ KEY: DUSTY A ONE-ON-ONE STAR
Rance put the club’s seven-game win streak to the players taking responsibility for the poor start to the season.
“We had a few good chats ... to lift our standards,” he said.
Rance said in-form big man Ben Griffiths was among those to benefit.
“He’s a beautiful kick and got great hands,” he said.
“[We asked him] do you believe as much as we believe in you.
“He’s shown in the past couple of weeks that he can play.”
Rance also said he had at one stage gone close to being traded to Hawthorn.
“Dimma (Tigers coach Damien Hardwick) by his own admission tried to trade me for a box of stubbies at that time.”
QUICK HANDS
NORTH Melbourne would be “horrified” Daniel Wells being suspended in his first game back from long-term injury.
HAWTHORN forward David Hale faces an uphill battle to keep his spot. “If he doesn’t find his best form it’s going to be difficult,” Dunstall said.
ADELAIDE star Patrick Dangerfield has lost explosive best according to Sheahan. “He’s lost his zip ... it’s a high attrition game that he plays — he’s not getting clear like he used to.”
MARK Blicavs looms as the X-factor for Geelong ahead of another September campaign. “His improvement is extraordinary,” Healy said. “He’s (gone from) the player that may have been able to hold down a spot to now he could be the match winner.” Sheahan said it was yet another Geelong “recruiting coup”.
COLLINGWOOD has been clearly found out for a lack of depth, according to Healy. But it’s not a surprise after the Magpies cleaned house last year with Heath Shaw, Alan Didak, Dale Thomas etc moved on. “You can’t knock off all those premiership players out if you’re thinking you’re going to win the flag this year,” he said. “I think at this stage Collingwood have had a bad run (with injuries) at the wrong time.”
SHEAHAN floated the idea of Melbourne forward Mitch Clark being highly sought after should he want to return to football. Clark quit AFL in June to fight a battle with depression. “He would have been out of the game for 12 months.” Healy agreed: “We take risks on blokes that haven’t seen a football coming from America ... if Mitch Clark gave any indication (of returning) you’d have to consider him.” LISTEN TO THE LATEST EPISODE OF THE SUPERFOOTY PODCAST BELOW OR CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE FOR FREE IN ITUNES
TALKING FOOTY — 7mate
INJURY updates from Cyril Rioli and Steven Johnson highlighted the program.
Rioli said he was confident of still being able to play this year.
Meanwhile, Johnson was unsure as to whether he’d be given the all-clear this week.
“I just got to wait and see,” he said. “I’m not really sure how long it’s going to take until I’m right to play,” he told 7mate’s Talking Footy.
Fremantle captain Matthew Pavlich joined the program via video link.
Pavlich paid tribute to Ross Lyon’s “high demand, high accountability” work ethic in transforming the club into a premiership contender.
Pavlich, who kicked five goals in the stirring win over Hawthorn, said the decision to send tagger Ryan Crowley to Isaac Smith was to limit his run and carry.
“Smith is an outside player generally ... such a long run, fantastic athlete, he sets up a lot of the goals and what not for Hawthorn.”
Pavlich suggested Lyon’s coaching panel backed the Dockers’ in-and-under midfielders to break even with Hawk Sam Mitchell.
FOOTY CLASSIFIED — Channel Nine
MORE Melbourne hurt with Garry Lyon taking aim at his former club.
“It’s as bad a loss as I’ve seen,” he said.
“I was watching it and couldn’t help go back two weeks ago and think about Paul Roos’ comments [on players scarred by previous losses].
“I just wonder when you’re as fragile like this group is, they’re looking for an excuse and they got one.
“I didn’t see any change in the way the way they play to exploit this GWS team — missing three of their best players.”
Former Essendon champion Matthew Lloyd urged Roos to get angry.
“Now is the time for him to get angry,” he said.
Melbourne has won just 38 games — losing 134 — since 2007.
The panel also discussed Melbourne’s plea for a priority pick, poor development and the prospect of free agent James Frawley sitting out the rest of the season.
ROBBO: WATTS YOUR DECISION, DEES?
“On raw figures they deserve one (priority pick), Lyon said.
The AFL Commission must determine whether to honour Melbourne’s plea based on several key criteria. These include: injuries, performance, previous win-loss records, finals appearances and percentage.
QUICK HANDS
LLOYD warned against Collingwood thinking “it’s going to happen for us” on the back of natural improvement from young Magpies. He said action needed to be taken on club’s injury list — especially hamstring, groin and calf strains. Lloyd suggested the Magpies were paying the price of a heavy “endurance” workload under fitness guru Bill Davoren.
JONATHAN Patton’s latest injury setback could cost the gun forward $300-$400k. Lloyd said it was unlikely rival clubs — Western Bulldogs or St Kilda — would consider $900,000-a-year deals for the former top draft pick following his second knee reconstruction. “$400-$500k a season you got to consider it.”
LLOYD played down Brent Harvey rough conduct charge against Liam Picken. “I don’t think it’s as bad (as what first thought) ... just because its gone to the tribunal doesn’t mean it’s a four or five weeker. It’s worthy of a couple of weeks.”
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