Before I go into the basis of this post, it was good to see the club secure their first win. Although not very pretty, given the number of times the score was more points directed than goals. This win, however, will boost the team and the club up a bit, leading into the sixth round and for the rest of the season. Knowing they are capable and can do the job, with some tweaking and more practice in front of the goals while under pressure, will fuel them moving forward.
It was also sad to see Harry McKay go down earlier on in the match due to no fault of his own. Some supporters have said that he is “accident prone” and that we must trade him. Alluding that the head clash was his fault and this alone is not only ridiculous and idiotic but downright disrespectful. It was a nasty head clash and an accident that left one player unable to continue and be subbed out of a game; he probably was ready to make a mark. Also, having Brodie Kemp out with what looks like an Achilles tendon injury is disheartening, but it also has its rewards as others now have a chance to step in and step up.
In this week’s game, we get back Marc Pittonet, who can significantly influence how TDK plays and is positioned. Right now, the club and Michael Voss have stated that though the team won, it was not an elegant nor dynamic win and that the mistakes made, especially in front of goal, can be worked on for the rest of the season.
The basis of this post is not about the players or the game, but something that was said by a current coach that should and must be actioned on. Firstly, I am not a fan of any of the Scott brothers, but Brad Scott said, “In my time in footy, I’ve never seen a coaching group more frustrated with a whole range of things […]. It’s more the way coaches are regarded within the AFL. I’ve never seen a coaching group more disenfranchised with the way they’re treated as a whole.” Then went on to say, “While the game is blossoming and the game is in great shape, the AFL have clearly said what their priorities are – and coaching and football departments are low on that priority list.” More prolific was that he said, “Talk to the Players’ Association about pathways for players into coaching, and their feedback is solid that players don’t want to do it. They see the benefits in terms of the career in coaching versus the challenges it throws up and they’ve voting with their feet and choosing not to pursue it.”
With what went on with supporters insisting the sacking of Michael Voss over the past weeks, Brad Scott’s comments are so valid.
The way coaches are treated and regarded not only by disgruntled supporters who believe they know what is good for the team and the club but also by those in the media. This constant talk of sacking coaches only after a few rounds shows the sheer lack of respect. It shows a complete lack of understanding about, in Carlton’s case, what it will take to make the club successful. The constant need for knee-jerk reactions shows that Brad Scott is correct; no player would even look or contemplate becoming a senior coach or even an assistant one, given the sheer lack of respect directed to them and the disregard by the AFL to be more proactive rather than reactive.
I have seen and read supposedly Carlton supporters bag the coaches one week, then praise them the next. I have seen supporters become vitriolic and nasty because they sincerely believe they know how or who can make Carlton successful again. Why would any player in their right mind want to aspire to be a coach?
Sam Mitchell, over the weekend, at his press conference, made a statement that I am sure commentators will just ignore it. That is, the Hawthorn FC is not the ladder-leading team being touted right now. That they are not as good as what the media says about them, and the game against Port Adelaide is proof of this. He reiterated that sure they have started off strong, but the game against Port Adelaide showed holes in their team that they have to work on, and with a relatively young side, it will take time.
His comments were a slight dig at the noise that the media make to get a “scoop” or to try and rationalize their own views and opinions, which can sometimes be to the detriment of not only the coach but also the players and the club.
Now, the “media” are stating that TDK has put on hold talks with Carlton as he is weighing up his future at Carlton. The media are reading into a statement that could be a way to get them off his back. Who knows! Either way, no matter what happens, the narrative surrounding a club, its players and its coaches has become more of gutter journalism than anything else. Brad Scott’s comments about the lack of ex-players turning their hands at coaching is proof that while the job may be one that used to be an excellent pathway into continuing a footy career, the challenges facing players and coaches is the horrendous and disrespectful way that the media and some supporters react in a very public way and the lack of notifiable support from the AFL and the footy world in general.
Carlton will slowly progress over the season, and if it doesn’t and the team takes a step backwards, we must not go down that muddy, murky path of wanting to sack yet another coach. It will get to the point where no coaches want to come to Carlton or even contemplate the idea of coaching because of the nastiness and vitriol directed at them. Who would want to take that on?
Be upset and be angry, but there is no need to be nasty or to want to sack a coach. We’ve been there and done that, and it has not worked out well for the club and the players. It never will.
SPORTZ 