Mark Thompson set to be approached about Western Bulldogs coaching job

[bornadog]

THE Western Bulldogs are set to give Mark Thompson a call about their vacant coaching position.


Untried coach Luke Beveridge is considered the favourite for the job with Bulldogs assistant Brent Montgomery and former Adelaide coach Neil Craig also in the mix.


The Dogs were hopeful of naming a new coach before senior players return from leave on Monday.


But Thompson’s dramatic departure from Essendon has turned the selection process on its head.


He was not expected to be a candidate but coaching selection panel member Luke Darcy says the triple-premiership coach can’t be overlooked.


“I think given that we haven’t finished the process at the Bulldogs, you’d have to think about it,” Luke Darcy said on Triple M radio.


“The time that he was in contract that precludes you from having any of those conversations.”


Darcy said the selection panel would have to discuss a possible approach to Thompson, “but you look at his coaching record ... it is off the charts, it is an amazing record in football.


“For someone like that not to be involved actively, just seems like that is a waste of the game.


“The answer is yes.”


Thompson’s close relationship with sacked Dogs coach Brendan McCartney would be a major hurdle to overcome if Thompson was to consider taking the job — as would his unpaid $30,000 fine for his part in Essendon’s 2012 supplement program.


The selection panel comprises Darcy, Bulldogs football director Chris Grant, chief executive Simon Garlick, football manager Graham Lowe and former West Coast coach John Worsfold.

[bulldogtragic]

Not sure why we are doing this. But what would I know.

[1eyedog]

It says nothing about being approached. Sounds like the committee will get together and discuss but other than that it's business as usual.

[westdog54]

Why is Darce even commenting on this?

Surely he had a quiet chat to Eddie and Mick and says "guys, I'm part of this process, do me a favour and avoid putting me on the spot about it".

Right now he's a headache the club doesn't need, for this very reason. He is the only member of the panel who has made any sort of significant comment about the process.

[The Doctor]

Not sure why we are doing this. But what would I know.

We have to do our due diligence, surely.

He is one of the best. We would be negligent not to check him out.

[Ozza]

Luke Darcy is a d1ckhead for delving into this on his radio show.

If I was one of the other members of the coaching appointment committee, I'd be pretty filthy on him for continuing to make comments.

[Eastdog]

You can't ignore a proven premiership coach.

[1eyedog]

You can't ignore a proven premiership coach.

We ignored Mark Williams by all accounts.

[Eastdog]

We ignored Mark Williams by all accounts.

Why weren't we interested in him?

[Happy Days]

You can't ignore a proven premiership coach.

Yes you can.

How good was Alan Joyce? Blight at St Kilda? Roos at Melbourne? Malthouse at Carlton?

[Eastdog]

Yes you can.

How good was Alan Joyce? Blight at St Kilda? Roos at Melbourne? Malthouse at Carlton?

Fair point but I argue what if this case is different and he is successful.

[1eyedog]

Why weren't we interested in him?

I think it was a combination of factors. He seemed, like Thompson, a risky prospect but unlike Thompson he hasn't coached at senior level for a while. And (at least up until I heard we approached Craig), we seemed to be destined to go with an inexperienced 'younger' coach (for some reason). I'm not sure but Williams may also simply have said no behind closed doors and to save face we said we didn't approach him, who knows?

[1eyedog]

Yes you can.

How good was Alan Joyce? Blight at St Kilda? Roos at Melbourne? Malthouse at Carlton?

Malthouse and Roos are untested at their respective clubs. Pagan and Tony Jewell absolutely.

[Remi Moses]

Why weren't we interested in him?

Gotta ask why he didn't succeed Kevin Sheedy in Wastelands ?

[Eastdog]

I think it was a combination of factors. He seemed, like Thompson, a risky prospect but unlike Thompson he hasn't coached at senior level for a while. And (at least up until I heard we approached Craig), we seemed to be destined to go with an inexperienced 'younger' coach (for some reason). I'm not sure but Williams may also simply have said no behind closed doors and to save face we said we didn't approach him, who knows?

Experienced or inexperienced coach really it can go both ways can't it in whether they'll be good.