James Hird wants our kids in and the senior team playing the same game style as our VFL team, was impressed with kids like Moir , Charleson, Carroll etc. Tend to agree, need to drop senior players who are not taking us anywhere and go with the kids for the next 8 weeks... Glad Luke Power seems to value the modern more expansive style than the 1960s game the seniors play.
Yep.
And I suspect the incoming CEO would want a look at these 'juniors' at senior level before making strong decisions on the list.
That is the unknowable, Pauly, and such an assumption would be illogical to the extreme. But what we do know is that under Fly in this hypothetical, we would have had a different game plan and a different kind of leadership, and from there... who knows.
I disagree Baggers. In a complex system like a football club, one person cannot make that much of a difference. We’ve seen this often enough. There is an interplay between the individual and the group/ organisation. They affect and transform each other to varying degrees. I’m not suggesting in any way that a coach makes no difference, but the balance of power is very much with the organisation, and the organisation shapes the individual a lot more than the other way round.
I should also add that I don’t believe our culture is c r a p. I think we’ve built some good foundations in the last few years, but there are clearly some pieces of the puzzle that are missing.
Going to have to disagree with you there Pauly. Oh, yes, an individual in any complex system can have a huge impact... both positive and negative. Comes down to leadership. There are highly influential leaders, poor leaders and ordinary leaders.
Strong, astute, visionary, measured, inclusive and purposeful leaders have an enormous individual impact on organisations.
For mine, we've had ordinary leadership for decades... at Board level, footy department and on-field. And it shows.
Tell these clubs that these people, haven't, as individuals, made much of a difference: Barassi, J Selwood, Brian Cook, Eddie McG, Luke Hodge, Alistair Clarkson, Michael Voss, John Nicholls, Leigh Matthews, John Elliott (both negative and positive), Sticks Kernahan, David Parkin, Tom Hafey... And many more in the AFL industry.
Early on we looked a lot like the seniors, but then 'took the game on' with risk, dare and run, run, run. And created a good win.
With Crippa and Weiters both mentioning 'next 8 weeks' in their media interviews it would seem the club has given up on any finals aspirations. If so, gotta have a look at the kids at senior level.
We got to see more of Moir's footy IQ. Much better game. Put his hand up. Pitto, after a slow start, took over in the ruck. Put his hand up. Frankie E was dangerous and also put his hand up, which probably means we'll promote Durdin. Liked Charleson's game, coming along nicely. Not yet. Cow would be an automatic replacement for the concussion protocols Saad. Ben C, once the digit was extracted, was influential. Maybe. For mine, Lemmey still doesn't have enough 'authority' in his game... close, though. Nothing to lose giving him serious consideration - give him a taste. We already know what we're getting with Young (the obvious spot to be filled by Lemmey). Carroll also put his hand up, but I'm a little biased... love his attitude.
I'm guessing the MC probably believes that we've already got enough kids in the side so would be conservative in making changes. Pity.
After 9 or 10 separate attempts, the “wrong bloke” ship has well and truly sailed. Are people seriously believing that if McRae was our coach we would be sitting 13-2 on the ladder?
That is the unknowable, Pauly, and such an assumption would be illogical to the extreme. But what we do know is that under Fly in this hypothetical, we would have had a different game plan and a different kind of leadership, and from there... who knows.
And if you sack someone through impatience, you're more than likely to apply that impatience to his/her replacement.
Fortunately, we have a new CEO is known for consideration and due diligence. Fingers crossed that the mould of important decisions hastily made, are over.
Baggers, a couple of my own thoughts in relation to this :
- I'd suggest like all senior coaches, Voss' apprenticeship started as a player, and progressed from there : Robert Walls, then Leigh Matthews, then Worsfold for a couple of years, then Hinkley. It's not a bad group. Voss has been quite open about his close and excellent relationship with Mathews, and the influence on his career as a player and coach - Also worth comparing his win/loss at Brisbane and Carlton, it shows the capacity to grow, improve and learn from one's mistakes, unlike Ratts for example. - I would suggest that another sacking is not just about perception and bad optics, but rather, is a root cause of the limited success we've experienced in the last 20 years.
Before Fly at Rottingwood, before Dimma at the Tiggers, before Chris Fagan at Brisvegas, before Bevo at the Dishlickers, before Roos & Horse at the Fluffy Ducks... There were sacked coaches before eventual success. All these mentioned coaches, and others, established successful brands relatively quickly. Certainly well within four years. Mitchell took over a rabble and bunch of no names at the Dawks, and they've shot past us. After almost four years under Vossy, our brand is inconsistency within games and within years. But is that him/archaic game plan? Or development? Or list management? Or recruiting? Or culture? Or poor leadership? All this and more?
The thing that gives me a measure of confidence about our future is the astute appointment of G Wright. This bloke has a very good track record of making considered and good decisions. He's got plenty of decisions to make at PP. For six months he's been in the inner sanctum and would know much more than us about our problems and potentials and strengths. So, when it's all distilled, I trust him to do what is best for our club.
For me, our track record of coach sackings and other knee-jerk reactions is an irrelevant thing of the past. Wasted years? Possibly, but they're things of the past. We've not repeated those behaviours this year, resisting the hysterical wants of aggrieved (justified) fans and media. That's progress.
After a wonderful meal of rocket, heirloom tomatoes, avo, bok choy, proper Greek cheese, bacon, olive oil, balsamic, anchovies and authentic sourdough bread (no alcohol, sadly, would have liked a strong red) it's time to ponder:
To be read to the tune of Ian Dury and the Blockheads, Reasons to be Cheerful, pt 3.
Reasons to keep Vossy: So we don't appear to be repeating the mistakes of the past. Bad optics and perpetuates the negative myth of how the Blues solve problems. He's bubbly and positive. Always positive. "Our metrics and KPIs are amazing... it's only a matter of time". Is so much better than the bloke before him. He's a past champion, captain and player. (Declaration from the author: I really like Traralgon. It's a much better place than Juddy (snobbish pr1ck, said). Coming from Traralgon is a huge plus for Vossy). He was a Blues supporter as a kid. Served an apprenticeship under prominent and multiple premiership coach, Ken Hinkley . Learned so much since being thrust, prematurely, into the coaching job at BrisVegas. Not his fault he failed. He's nice. His winning % is acceptable. Embraces the varying agendas of certain Board Members. He's a genuinely caring, compassionate and smiley person. Doesn't ruffle conservative feathers. Works diligently to sell the Board's, media dept's., football dept's., PR dept's., agenda. Phew. How does he find the energy to coach!! Did I mention, he's always able to put an amazing spin on how failure is not a problem? And... we don't want to appear to be repeating the mistakes of the past sackings. Did I mention that?
Reasons to sack Vossy, Pt 3. Consistency of performance from qtr to qtr and game to game. (Two qtr Blues). Solving problems of poor midfield to forward 50 connection - hasn't. Only been a problem for... oh, let's see... Years!!!!! Inconsistency - not fixed or even stated as to why... ssshhhh, supporters aren't meant to know why!!! Selection favouratism: playing sentimental faves and senior blokes he likes although are failing/not up to it. Stubborn. Myopic game plan.
All I want for Christmas are two half forwards that can spot a player on the lead and hit the target.
We actually have a few - Cottrell, Smith, E Hollands, Young.
It's true injuries/rehab have killed us in this part of the game.. but still no excuse to not persist with others in this critical role. Boyd, Carroll, Moir are good kicks of the football... there is no excuse kicking the can down the road and not trying to fill this important role despite players missing.
Wow, well said. Glad you included Flynn Young... this kid is much better than many may realise.
We had a lot of senior players have poor games last night: [1] Jacob Weitering, who didn't look close to fit. He might be better after a slightly longer break, but he struggled last night. He did not look engaged or passionate at any stage last night, or in recent games. [2] Blake Acres, who hasn't really been fit his year. He was ordinary and had only 11 possessions. He needs to be fixed, so he's ready for 2026. Hard to send him away for repairs, he does give his all, even with the shizen disposals [3] Jack Silvagni, who played his worst game for the year. He really struggled to get near the ball on an important night for the Silvagni name. Looked lost and dispirited [4] Mitch McGovern, who had the night from Hell. If our kicking into the forward line wasn't bad enough (and it wasn't good), when he finally got the ball he shanked like the ads on TV. Missing gettable goals from simple shots is heart breaking. Was woeful [5] Adam Saad - the concussion protocols might be a blessing in disguise, as Saady has been struggling. Give him a break and he will be better for it. Yep, then let him off the leash to do what running half backs do. Stupid to ask him to be a lock-down defender, and a waste. [6] Lachie Fogarty had a night from Hell. His decision making was awful, as was his kicking when he finally got his hands on the ball.' Good Magoos player. When he can't get a game, we're making progress. [7] Tom de Koning was thrashed in the ruck by Sweet and Visentini, who did what rucks are supposed to do, give their mids first use. Tom didn't. He didn't take many marks and his kicking was atrocious. Checked out. Seemed angry. [8] Charlie Curnow: There were some good signs from Charlie, like his willingness to chase and tackle, but his kicking, usually elite, was excremental and didn't get close to targets. He was engaged and got amongst it, about bloody time. [9] Orazio Fantasia had a few nice minutes late in the game, but when the game was there to be won, he wasn't there. And he missed easy goals as well. One of our few small forwards who seemed almost, semi dangerous. [10] George Hewett had his worst game of the year. He struggled to get near the ball. At least he tackled; he had 9 of them. If effort and spirit for the contest amount to anything, this bloke was, and remains, a bloody ripper. [11] Patrick Cripps also struggled, which was no surprise when he was sick all week. However, his ruck work was more effective than Tom's was. Should not have put his hand up to play - selfish and poor leadership and understanding of what he could really offer [12] Lewis Young: what was he doing? he offered nothing as a forward, a defender or a ruckman. At least he kicked our 1st goal, our only 1st half goal!
That is more than half of our team! At least Haynes can hold his head up; he did a fine job. Can he play next season? I hope so. Showed bona fide leadership qualities, must play next year and be in the leadership group. Doc tried, but wasn't very effective. Must retire to lead the Magoos, now. His panicky kicks under pressure are a huge liability and deflate the group. Ollie Hollands and Zac Williams weren't that bad either. Agree. Voting is going to very difficult this week!
We would need a huge turnaround from these guys to be competitive against Collingwood, which I just cannot see at the moment. But we should be looking at replacing some of the 12 guys I mentioned, as they were issues at the moment. Yep.
The best teams plan and plan everything to the finest detail.
They may start resting players, but whoever the players are that go out there will go at 100%, nothing is sure because the players on the fringe of selection are battling for a spot!
I really don't have anything to add to what has already been said. There's a number of reasons why we have gone so pair shaped, it's not a simple fix. Whoever can fix this mess deserves the keys to the city and a bronze statue outside PP.
If you know any good exorcists, now might be a good time to get in touch.
see, you're an optimist just like this sucker little black duck.
Okay, let's get our recruiting team to locate some Catholic priests, Orthodox Greek, Russian and Jewish priests, hec, throw in a Sharman or two, coupla Buddhist monks... mmm, maybe not our recruiting team
I am very confident this version of the CFC is not dancing to the media tune. Taken literally, 'under pressure' does not equate to calling for a sacking. But some will interpret it that way and make a noise. They're the loud 'quick fix' brigade and deserve ignoring. Along with the boneheads who vandalized PP.
Bottom line is that Vossy and co. still have time to turn things around. We hope he does. But optimism is slim.
Vossy and the boos were booed off the ground last week. Quite possibly again last night. If that happens every week, you think the club will have balls enough to stick fat with him? I'm not so confident.
I'm far from confident. But am sticking phat for now.
While the board might rubber stamp it, any decision regarding the coach will probably be made at the Cook/Wright level. The way it sounds is that Wright is moving around the club talking to a lot of people including players. Cook has a reputation of not pulling the plug on coaches...but would be all over the goings on at the club
Both would be aware of any issues or rifts. I'm pretty confident that any decision they make will be what they regard as the best one for the club.
Exactamundo... we really are doing things differently. I'm confident in the thoroughness of Cook/Wright. Who knows, they may decide on strong list changes, a few coaching changes and keep the senior coach? Coach and players till have a tiny window of opportunity to turn the ship around - not written with a great deal of conviction. Well, we'll know in... corporate cliche imminent... 'due course.'
I can't resist... the club will 'take the helicopter view,' then 'drill down into issues,' remove what's on 'the back-burner' check out what's up the 'flag pole' and who's 'saluting', increase the 'bandwidth' of analysis and see where all that 'lands.'
. 
