It was something of an analogy of the new AFL – former cellar-dweller team Richmond raining goals on the better-rated Crows in the final quarter, to bring life to the Tigers once-thought-to-be dead season. The old stable coach in Neil Craig versus the first-year former Essendon and Port Adelaide defender Damien Hardwick.
Both have had mix seasons in 2010. Hardwick watched the Tigers lose nine in a row before the ship steered correctly, while Adelaide started off well enough but stumbled mid-season due to injuries, an uncompromising schedule and, well, poor performances.
This made me really consider the plight of the current crop of young coaches who are making their mark in the game. Since they have generally come from playing the game within the past 10 years, they have a good grasp on how much it has changed.
North Melbourne’s Brad Scott has yet to prove himself, though his team has performed well against better-rated sides. Dean Bailey’s influence on the Demons also appears to be paying off, but his is a team still in the rebuilding stage. Collingwood’s favourite son Nathan Buckley had a couple of successful attempts at steering the Magpie ship this year on par with the ‘Buckley/Malthouse’ secession plan, and who could forget Alistair Clarkson’s young Hawthorn team upsetting the natural balance of the Geelong juggernaut to usurp a surprise premiership. And, of course, there’s Hardwick.
These ‘Young Turks’ aren’t immune however. Essendon’s Matthew Knights has been readily criticised for his teams’ inconsistent performance, especially from former Bomber players and staff (though the team’s 33-point win over the Saints will no doubt keep the criticism to a minimum).
But there is hope for the embattled Knights. This time last year the Docker’s Mark Harvey was equally lambasted for a perceived lack of coaching prowess. Considering the win/loss ratio of the teams’ 2009 season, there was little hope that Harvey would see a full 2010 – no doubt Fremantle’s performance against the Crows in round 15 will be forever etched in Harvey’s mind (the Dockers scored one goal and seven behinds for the whole game).
Oh ye of little faith.
The Dockers start to 2010 was a whirlwind of wins. The media and critics were scratching their heads, trying to work out where this new-found ability had come from? How was this young coach taking a side that’s had at least three lack-lustre seasons in a row to the top of the ladder?
Top-team coaches such as Mark Thompson, Rodney Eade and Ross Lyon are showing that they’ve still got their finger on the pulse, but for how much longer? Thompson has already indicated that he’s looking to stand down at the end of 2010 or 2011. Eade has been coaching for more than 20 years if you include his stint as the Brisbane Bears reserve coach. Ross Lyon is safe for now but for how long will supporters put up with another lost Saints trophy?
Next year, Sydney Swans will see the start of a new coach and former player, John Longmire, replacing a successful coach in Paul Roos – he’ll be a new face in the ‘Young Turks’ coaching club. With him will continue the new coaching styles being adopted by many of the clubs.
With so many fresh faces bringing new ideas and strategies to the AFL, it’s no wonder the game is turning into no country for old men… unless, of course, you speak to Kevin Sheedy.
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