Re: Eade's future in the hands of Top Dogs
Originally Posted by
Lantern
BAD -- you are arguing the club line, ie. 'that's what we've said all along, so if we stick to our word we can absolve ourselves of all responsibility if the process turns to pot'. What I'm saying is that circumstances are continually changing, and a dynamic and proactive club will react accordingly: there's no point saying 'we stuck to process and timelines' if Rocket ends up poached or leaving against our wishes. Agility and responsiveness are not only important virtues on-field.
Matthews wrote an interesting piece in June about this, and I'll just quote his conclusion:
"While these three clubs have big decisions to make about where they stand in that shifting balance between perseverance or change, I do believe strongly that July is the crunch month and decisions should be made by the beginning of August so that all parties can plan ahead with certainty."
As it is, there are suspicions that Rocket is planning the rest of the year with his short-term future in mind (ie. performance) rather than the club's long-term future (ie. development).
Finally, if we end up deciding we want Rocket, but he leaves anyway for a better offer because of our tardiness (how hard was it to foresee any of this? We're not the first club in history to have a coach entering the final year of a contract), it would be a massive blow to our club's reputation, psyche and standing in relation to other clubs, not to mention throw us right to the back of the queue in a search for a new senior coach, both in terms of a timeline as well as a desired destination for aspiring senior coaches. Our risk and reputation management leaves a lot to be desired, and if the club's response is simply sticking to the party line of 'we sticking to a timeline we set at the start of the year', then we'll get what we deserve in a cut-throat competitive cauldron.
But do we actually want Rocket and are we definately in a position to know that now? Clarkson is in the same position at Hawthorn (have they moved on that yet?)
Rocket has always said he wants to stay coaching the Bulldogs and I believe was under the impression that there would be a review at year's end. I would assume that the Adelaide and Melbourne coaching positions would not even gear up until after season's end, when both clubs know exactly what coaches were on the cards. Rocket has time to sign a contract after the end of the season with us as well as sign a contract with another club if necessary. There seems to be a lot of unnecessary tension around this issue because of the position we are going to finish on the ladder, stiff bickies, there is a review process in place and as far as I am concerned to make a decision now would be a reactive decision; reactive to a situation. I think post-season reviews are a more measured process were emotion(s) have less impact on the decision making process, but that's just me.
As for risk and reputation, reputation is thrown out the window when clubs start sacking coaches with four weeks of football left if you ask me. You make it sound like no-one wants tocome and coach at the Bulldogs and we will not get who we want if we don't want Rocket and don't act now.
But then again, I'm an Internet poster and Bevo is a premiership coach so draw your own conclusions.