With just 3 rounds remaining in the season, we have now seen the same number of coaches lose their positions. All were off-contract at the end of the season, and their former clubs may now be sifting through the same CV’s for a replacement. Neil Craig, Rodney Eade and Dean Bailey were three of a staggering eight coaches fighting to keep their jobs; the others being Brett Ratten, John Worsfold, Alastair Clarkson, Michael Voss and Mick Malthouse. Let’s have a look at how these eight men have either lost or kept their jobs, and who still has their future up in the air.
Neil Craig was the first to go after the Crows recorded their lowest score ever – 3.6 (24) – in a 103-point loss to St Kilda. Craig went easily, resigning as the proud man that he is. Losing 6 top players (5 retirements and Bock to the Suns) at the end of the previous season did not help his cause, especially considering 2010 was the first season without a trip to the finals and a winning record – bar 2004 where he took over mid-season. A mildly successful tenure without reward in September, Craig had developed his list as well as he could but the team did lose its way at times. A half-chance of finding a new club in 2012, though with so many rookie coaches introduced in the last few years, he may find himself in a director of coaching and/or football role.
Dean Bailey inherited a broken club for the 2008 season and while his first two years in charge were a failure in the win/loss column, 2010 was showing much of the promise that the Demons’ list possesses. Even this year, they have been within a sniff of the top 8, but their losses have been dreadful, with only one losing margin below 4 goals and the obvious example of the 186-point thrashing at the hands of Geelong. It’s hard to see where Bailey’s next position will be, given that his list management skills are high, yet the losses just kept coming hard at Melbourne.
Rodney Eade was always staring down the barrel this year, with three consecutive preliminary final losses and an aging list at the Bulldogs. There is no doubting that he is a good coach and maintained strong relationships with his players, much like Craig at the Crows. This week, David Smorgon called Eade’s sacking as the need for a refresh, not a rebuild, and this is a reflection on the man they call Rocket. The youngsters at the club are promising, but 7 years is a long time in football and Eade will benefit from a change of scenery, and it’s possible that Melbourne’s young-but-settled list might be a good fit.
Brett Ratten was really only under pressure this season because of his decidedly average win/loss ratio since he took over in July 2007. Was it ever in doubt that he couldn’t turn the Blues into a top four side? With a trip to the preliminary finals looking likely this season, he’s destined for a long stay after Carlton’s recent past.
John Worsfold has seen it all in his time at the Eagles. They’ve won and lost on the biggest stage, and they’ve hit rock bottom too. But through all this, Woosha has almost seemed in control the entire time. As good as Jack Darling is, he wasn’t the only missing puzzle piece heading into the 2011 season and Worsfold has definitely earned another run. The main question is how long can he keep his side in contention?
Alastair Clarkson is not too dissimilar to Worsfold in that he seems to know exactly what’s happening with his club, but for some reason, be it injuries or just the nature of football, the Hawks can be a bit more temperamental than most sides in the competition. After a horror couple of years, the current side is not 2008′s Premiership side trying to force their way back in. Clarkson has revitalised Hawthorn again this season and there’s no questioning he’s got a lot of coaching left in him.
Michael Voss and his Lions are no further forward than when he took over the reigns in 2009. The legend seemingly has no answers to turn around their fortunes, and with players like Jonathan Brown and Simon Black closer to retirement than another tilt at the flag, Voss has it all to do. Brisbane hierachy never openly doubt that he is the right man for the job, whether or not that’s the truth is a huge question that only he can answer. He will get another chance, but the patience must be running out sooner rather than later.
Mick Malthouse’s future is the only story where nobody is quite sure what will happen. This is despite everyone insisting the plan for Buckley to take over and Malthouse to move up to a role that could involve everything but the kitchen sink. Everyone knows he still has the hunger, even if his comments after matches this year have confused a few people. It’s looking less likely that he’ll be at Collingwood next year, especially now that one of his former employers, Footscray, have an opening. But at the same time, who says he couldn’t stay true to his word?
