David Edwards
NormCoaching Turn Around Looming For 2007
July 13th 2007 15:22
There is no doubt that there is an constant cycle that occurs in the AFL and NRL competitions. Every three years or so the leagues go through an complete wipe of his coaching positions, and we see a huge turnaround of coaches in the space of three months during the off-season. Last year in the NRL we saw a massive change in coaching positions, with five coaches changing around their roles during the post season, and it seems the tides are turning for the AFL this season.
We have already seen the first casualty this year, with Neil Daniher already leaving his role at the Melbourne Demons and the club already in negotiations for the new coach next season. But it seems that Daniher will not be the only person leaving his position this year, but who else is on the chopping block?
At the moment there are major talking points about who will be still around at the end of the season over two coaches. Chris Connolly from the Fremantle Dockers and Kevin Sheedy from Essendon Bombers are both being wildly discussed about being the next coaches who will leave this season, but both being talked about completely different terms.
Connolly has been a coach who has had the axe swinging over his head for a number of seasons. Since 2004, wild rumours and discussions have been thrown around in regards to his position, ranging from the appointment of Mark Harvey as the Dockers assistant coach and how the Dockers have performed in regards to the finals in the past few seasons. The recent talk around now is that if Fremantle slip from bookie favourites at the start of the season to missing out of the finals, then Connolly will be removed.
Sheedy on the other hand has had nothing but success at his position with the Bombers. The longest serving coach at the league, has equally won the most amount of premierships with any current coaches (tied with Leigh Matthews on four), and will this week become the longest serving player/coach in AFL/VFL history in his 879th game involved in the league.
However, with such a long list of achievements, this season now begs the question in how long he will last. Sheedy himself came out this week and stated that he would not leave his post, and it would be up for the board to fire him from the role he has kept since 1981.
Whilst it would be hard for the club to even consider such a move, it still might be a hand they are forced to show. If Sheedy is fired from his coaching position, it might be a change that a younger side might respond to. Even though that Sheedy has been one of the biggest and best coaches the league has ever seen in its 100 year history, it is always hard when you have to tell the best to take one step aside.
There is no doubt that if Sheedy leaves, then he will retire from the game permanently, but there might be even more position available at the end of the season. Dennis Pagan from the Blues are being considered as being on the chopping block, whilst Dean Laidley from the Kangaroos and Bomber Thompson from Geelong have delayed their contract renewals until the end of their involvement in the season, and whilst both their sides are going extremely strong at the moment, they might be poached by a bigger club wanting a winning coach.
What this means is that there is up to six clubs might be looking for a new coach at the end of the year, and with two coaches on the verge of retirement (Sheedy and possibly Pagan), there might be two spot available for two brand new coaches. So who are the frontrunners in the next generation coaches?
It is no secret for the entire season the name of Michael Voss and potential coach have been linked, even though he has no real coaching experience. Mark Harvey, Collingwood assistant coach Guy McKenna and Swan assistant coach John Longmire have been discussed as potential leaders of any clubs.
But only time will tell who will have their chance next year. With between four to all six coaches potentially changing around at the end of the 2007 season, it cannot be said that the circle has swung around to the AFL once again, but where it will stop and where everyone will end up, is still a complete mystery.
Until next time sports minds.
[B] What to Watch For [/ B]: In the AFL celebrate’s Sheedy record breaking match against the Western Bulldogs will be played on Saturday night, whilst Sunday twilight sees the Kangaroos face up against the must win Dockers. Whilst in the Asian cup Australia now have a must win match against Thailand on Monday night, or face bundling out of the competition without a single win and knocked out of the group stage.
We have already seen the first casualty this year, with Neil Daniher already leaving his role at the Melbourne Demons and the club already in negotiations for the new coach next season. But it seems that Daniher will not be the only person leaving his position this year, but who else is on the chopping block?
At the moment there are major talking points about who will be still around at the end of the season over two coaches. Chris Connolly from the Fremantle Dockers and Kevin Sheedy from Essendon Bombers are both being wildly discussed about being the next coaches who will leave this season, but both being talked about completely different terms.
Connolly has been a coach who has had the axe swinging over his head for a number of seasons. Since 2004, wild rumours and discussions have been thrown around in regards to his position, ranging from the appointment of Mark Harvey as the Dockers assistant coach and how the Dockers have performed in regards to the finals in the past few seasons. The recent talk around now is that if Fremantle slip from bookie favourites at the start of the season to missing out of the finals, then Connolly will be removed.
Sheedy on the other hand has had nothing but success at his position with the Bombers. The longest serving coach at the league, has equally won the most amount of premierships with any current coaches (tied with Leigh Matthews on four), and will this week become the longest serving player/coach in AFL/VFL history in his 879th game involved in the league.
However, with such a long list of achievements, this season now begs the question in how long he will last. Sheedy himself came out this week and stated that he would not leave his post, and it would be up for the board to fire him from the role he has kept since 1981.
Whilst it would be hard for the club to even consider such a move, it still might be a hand they are forced to show. If Sheedy is fired from his coaching position, it might be a change that a younger side might respond to. Even though that Sheedy has been one of the biggest and best coaches the league has ever seen in its 100 year history, it is always hard when you have to tell the best to take one step aside.
There is no doubt that if Sheedy leaves, then he will retire from the game permanently, but there might be even more position available at the end of the season. Dennis Pagan from the Blues are being considered as being on the chopping block, whilst Dean Laidley from the Kangaroos and Bomber Thompson from Geelong have delayed their contract renewals until the end of their involvement in the season, and whilst both their sides are going extremely strong at the moment, they might be poached by a bigger club wanting a winning coach.
What this means is that there is up to six clubs might be looking for a new coach at the end of the year, and with two coaches on the verge of retirement (Sheedy and possibly Pagan), there might be two spot available for two brand new coaches. So who are the frontrunners in the next generation coaches?
It is no secret for the entire season the name of Michael Voss and potential coach have been linked, even though he has no real coaching experience. Mark Harvey, Collingwood assistant coach Guy McKenna and Swan assistant coach John Longmire have been discussed as potential leaders of any clubs.
But only time will tell who will have their chance next year. With between four to all six coaches potentially changing around at the end of the 2007 season, it cannot be said that the circle has swung around to the AFL once again, but where it will stop and where everyone will end up, is still a complete mystery.
Until next time sports minds.
[B] What to Watch For [/ B]: In the AFL celebrate’s Sheedy record breaking match against the Western Bulldogs will be played on Saturday night, whilst Sunday twilight sees the Kangaroos face up against the must win Dockers. Whilst in the Asian cup Australia now have a must win match against Thailand on Monday night, or face bundling out of the competition without a single win and knocked out of the group stage.
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