STICK TO GUNS IN A CRISIS
SINCE moving away from AFL coaching last season, I have reflected on my time spent in the game at the highest level.
Conversations with footy fans down the street quite often lead to the question of the significant challenges facing senior coaches.
It is an easy answer; they are the same demands that quickly became apparent when I started coaching at Richmond in 1997 — the level of competitiveness in the industry and the volume of work required to thrive.
AFL coaches are fiercely competitive by nature, and for those fortunate to become senior coaches, work ethic and commitment are a given.
In a very different season, the demands on the 18 senior coaches have never been higher.
They are managing the mental and physical health of players in short turnarounds, developing patterns of play without training sessions to rehearse, maintaining a strong relationship with staff and players — all while riding the rollercoaster of emotions following wins or losses.
Over the past few weeks, we have seen the recurring scrutiny and analysis that turns to senior coaches when they are losing games.
When teams are not winning when they are expected to, or are producing periods of play that appear to lack competitiveness and intensity, accountability falls to the senior coach.
Hawthorn’s Alastair Clarkson and Melbourne’s Simon Goodwin have been the focus of review and commentary over the past few weeks.
Both are fiercely competitive, possess incredible work ethics and many wonderful personal qualities.
Yet, in the face of underperformance, the enormous contribution to their clubs and the game of football is forgotten.
Speaking to Goodwin on Monday, we covered a range of topics — life in the hubs, how he was coping with a gruelling fixture and how the Melbourne players were developing.
I didn’t need to inquire on how he was handling the scrutiny.
His voice was full of optimism and certainty, he was clear about the way forward.
Simon is an excellent friend, and I felt very proud of him when we ended the conversation. The club and his players are in good hands.
The chat started me thinking about the 10 pieces a senior coach needs to do well to succeed. When established, they provide a compass and a coaching toolbox to navigate the inevitable undulations an AFL season offers.
Today we look at the first five.