bornadog
18-06-2020, 05:38 PM
link (https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/does-luke-beveridge-need-to-switch-up-his-approach-with-the-bulldogs-20200618-p553z4.html)
https://static.ffx.io/images/$zoom_0.182%2C$multiply_2.1164%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$ x_0%2C$y_0/t_crop_custom/q_62%2Cf_auto/65b32fabf640ebb843944cf6f4eada77521c8150
It's been a decade since Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett famously canvassed with the club's hierarchy the idea of dropping coach Alastair Clarkson to the VFL, or at least giving him a week off from his senior coaching duties.
Three flags later, that idea seems even more comical, but it does raise the question about whether coaches can lose their 'mojo'. Like a player, can a coach be out of form?
There are several key factors that make a great coach, which have evolved over time. Clearly, now, relationships with players is at the top of the list.
I've always been a huge admirer of Luke Beveridge. What he managed to do with the Bulldogs back in 2016 was nothing short of incredible.
I don't think even the most one-eyed Dogs fan would say they had the most talent – at least individually – but they managed to raise their levels collectively in September.
Even after two poor performances to start this season, there's obviously a level of admiration between player and coach.
In terms of how he responded to last Sunday's disaster against St Kilda, Beveridge probably had two options this week – either rant and rave, or put his arm around his players even more.
I suspect he chose the latter.
But does he need to revisit that messaging after another lacklustre performance? Likewise, have some of his selections been a little left field?
Beveridge has always been one to say his players need to be able to play multiple positions.
Coaches are always trying to better themselves and their teams, and that sometimes means hard calls at selection, or throwing the magnets around.
When Damien Hardwick first moved Jack Riewoldt from a more stay-at-home role to centre half-forward a few years ago, he copped all sorts of criticism about supposedly playing Jack out of position.
Don't forget, that was before Richmond won their flags.
That move has since been justified, with Richmond and Riewoldt both clearly better for that tweak to his role. Riewoldt might not be winning the Coleman anymore, but he's playing the most selfless and influential footy of his career.
There are other examples.
Last year, Geelong captain Joel Selwood – one of the toughest ball-winners of the modern game – was moved to the wing.
He still played some decent footy, but after seeing his return to the centre-square last week, I believe he should never be dragged away from the coalface again.
Of course, we don't know all the reasons coaches make these decisions. Was Selwood under a fitness cloud last year?
His move to the wing also meant someone such as Tim Kelly could blossom.
We see what's in front of us, where coaches are always looking to the future. But not all on-ballers can move to a wing or forward at the end of their career and do what someone like Gary Ablett is doing at Geelong.
Back on the Bulldogs, and there have been a number of question marks over certain selections in the past 12 months.
Last year, Tom Liberatore and Josh Dunkley were tried at half-forward, but clearly look more suited to the grunt work in the middle.
Last week, Jack Macrae – All-Australian in 2019 playing mainly as an on-baller – was shifted to the wing for much of the first half. He didn't attend one centre bounce in the first quarter.
From the outside it may have been to cover the absence of Lachie Hunter, but those types of changes can upset both a midfield's synergy and the player's psyche.
There are a number of other questions, whether it be about the lack of ruck support for young big man Tim English, who's been beaten badly in the opening two rounds, or the decision to leave a player like Zaine Cordy out of the back six.
But Beveridge still has the opportunity to orchestrate what would be one of the great wins, against GWS on Friday night.
It only takes one moment, or one gritty victory to kickstart a season and this match could be the making of the Dogs. While they've struggled to score, we know from the back half of last year they can be a scoring machine.
And while they sent out the second youngest team in the AFL in round two, they're certainly stronger this year after the additions of Josh Bruce and Alex Keath.
The Dogs hit 2020 with top-four aspirations but should they fall to 0-3 in a 17-game season, I think they can say goodbye to any hopes of playing finals.
https://static.ffx.io/images/$zoom_0.182%2C$multiply_2.1164%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$ x_0%2C$y_0/t_crop_custom/q_62%2Cf_auto/65b32fabf640ebb843944cf6f4eada77521c8150
It's been a decade since Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett famously canvassed with the club's hierarchy the idea of dropping coach Alastair Clarkson to the VFL, or at least giving him a week off from his senior coaching duties.
Three flags later, that idea seems even more comical, but it does raise the question about whether coaches can lose their 'mojo'. Like a player, can a coach be out of form?
There are several key factors that make a great coach, which have evolved over time. Clearly, now, relationships with players is at the top of the list.
I've always been a huge admirer of Luke Beveridge. What he managed to do with the Bulldogs back in 2016 was nothing short of incredible.
I don't think even the most one-eyed Dogs fan would say they had the most talent – at least individually – but they managed to raise their levels collectively in September.
Even after two poor performances to start this season, there's obviously a level of admiration between player and coach.
In terms of how he responded to last Sunday's disaster against St Kilda, Beveridge probably had two options this week – either rant and rave, or put his arm around his players even more.
I suspect he chose the latter.
But does he need to revisit that messaging after another lacklustre performance? Likewise, have some of his selections been a little left field?
Beveridge has always been one to say his players need to be able to play multiple positions.
Coaches are always trying to better themselves and their teams, and that sometimes means hard calls at selection, or throwing the magnets around.
When Damien Hardwick first moved Jack Riewoldt from a more stay-at-home role to centre half-forward a few years ago, he copped all sorts of criticism about supposedly playing Jack out of position.
Don't forget, that was before Richmond won their flags.
That move has since been justified, with Richmond and Riewoldt both clearly better for that tweak to his role. Riewoldt might not be winning the Coleman anymore, but he's playing the most selfless and influential footy of his career.
There are other examples.
Last year, Geelong captain Joel Selwood – one of the toughest ball-winners of the modern game – was moved to the wing.
He still played some decent footy, but after seeing his return to the centre-square last week, I believe he should never be dragged away from the coalface again.
Of course, we don't know all the reasons coaches make these decisions. Was Selwood under a fitness cloud last year?
His move to the wing also meant someone such as Tim Kelly could blossom.
We see what's in front of us, where coaches are always looking to the future. But not all on-ballers can move to a wing or forward at the end of their career and do what someone like Gary Ablett is doing at Geelong.
Back on the Bulldogs, and there have been a number of question marks over certain selections in the past 12 months.
Last year, Tom Liberatore and Josh Dunkley were tried at half-forward, but clearly look more suited to the grunt work in the middle.
Last week, Jack Macrae – All-Australian in 2019 playing mainly as an on-baller – was shifted to the wing for much of the first half. He didn't attend one centre bounce in the first quarter.
From the outside it may have been to cover the absence of Lachie Hunter, but those types of changes can upset both a midfield's synergy and the player's psyche.
There are a number of other questions, whether it be about the lack of ruck support for young big man Tim English, who's been beaten badly in the opening two rounds, or the decision to leave a player like Zaine Cordy out of the back six.
But Beveridge still has the opportunity to orchestrate what would be one of the great wins, against GWS on Friday night.
It only takes one moment, or one gritty victory to kickstart a season and this match could be the making of the Dogs. While they've struggled to score, we know from the back half of last year they can be a scoring machine.
And while they sent out the second youngest team in the AFL in round two, they're certainly stronger this year after the additions of Josh Bruce and Alex Keath.
The Dogs hit 2020 with top-four aspirations but should they fall to 0-3 in a 17-game season, I think they can say goodbye to any hopes of playing finals.