Western Bulldogs to look outside the kennel as coach search hots up

[bornadog]

Mark Stevens

WESTERN Bulldogs were close to finalising the make up of their coaching selection panel as Scott Burns firmed as a key player in the race for the Adelaide job.

While the Bulldogs will announce at least one "independent" to join a coaching sub-committee, the Crows are more advanced in their search.

Adelaide caretaker Mark Bickley is warming to the idea of putting up his hand for the job after three wins from four games, but Burns is believed to have strong support.

If Burns officially signals his interest, he is expected to come with a bullet as Bickley's main challenger - with sacked Western Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade looming as a potential wildcard.

Burns ticks every box as a South Australian who played at Collingwood under Mick Malthouse and is now playing a key role as an understudy to John Worsfold at West Coast.

Western Bulldogs will step up its search to replace Eade in coming days, with caretaker Paul Williams doing his chances no harm by overseeing a 60-point thrashing of Port Adelaide yesterday.

After week of turmoil, the Dogs kicked the first 10 goals of the game, drawing praise from chief executive Simon Garlick.

"It's been a difficult week, but the players really responded as a group and showed professionalism," Garlick said last night.

"They handled it the right way and it was great to see the impact the young players had."

Garlick spent time in the coaches' box yesterday, near Williams, who later said he was putting the club before his own ambitions.

"'Every decision I have made so far in this short reign is for the betterment of the club. It's not about personal gain for me," Williams said.

Leon Cameron, who spent six years as an assistant to Eade before crossing to Hawthorn this year, is a warm favourite to fill Eade's chair.

Scott West, a seven-time club best-and-fairest winner, yesterday confirmed his ambition to win a senior job.

Out of contract as an assistant at Melbourne, the highly rated midfield specialist, told Triple M radio listeners of the romance of returning to Whitten Oval: "It's something I aspire to do, I guess the romance in going back to the club you played with - I spent 19 years there - would be great.

"I certainly understand I'm in the apprenticeship stages of coaching and learning, but you just don't know."

"There's no real set pathway to become a senior coach.

"I think if you've got the confidence in your ability to coach and manage people and show leadership, those things count a lot.

"I'm not 100 per cent sure where I fit in at all, but it would be nice to get back there (Bulldogs) one day."

[LostDoggy]

Westy as midfield coach... where do I sign?

[Jeanette54]

It would be great to see Scott back, in some role at the club (assistant coach?).

We once had a Doug Hawkins wing, which Doug had a fair claim on. But there were days when Westie seemed not only to own the ground; but the footy as well.

[GVGjr]

Westy as midfield coach... where do I sign?

How would he go as the coach of Williamstown?

[Ghost Dog]

How would he go as the coach of Williamstown?

This is what I like. The Middle way. GVG, pure Genius.

[azabob]

How would he go as the coach of Williamstown?

What happens to German? From the outside looking in he hasn't done much, if anything wrong.

[Rocco Jones]

What happens to German? From the outside looking in he hasn't done much, if anything wrong.

Perhaps a 'promotion' to senior assistant.

[bornadog]

Mark Stevens

THE Western Bulldogs have appointed Tom Harley and Chris Grant to join its coach selection process.

Harley and Grant will play a key role in finding a replacement for Rodney Eade on a coaching sub-committee that also includes CEO Simon Garlick (chairman), football chief James Fantasia and board member Geoff Walsh.

President David Smorgon will not be part of the initial process, but as head of the board will have to tick off any decision.

[GVGjr]

What happens to German? From the outside looking in he hasn't done much, if anything wrong.

Senior assistant coach. He's an asset and I think he he would be a great addition for a new coach.

[LostDoggy]

I don't want to come across critical (again) but I don't understand the appointments -- I thought the whole point of getting independent, experienced outsiders was that they were:

a. independent (which Chris isn't), and
b. experienced (which neither of them are)

I thought the idea of having a successful and experienced former senior coach on the panel was to be able to discern if interviewing candidates were just talking out of their arses in their presentations or if they were saying anything of merit. Would either of Tom or Chris have enough experience and knowledge of the coaching caper to be able to tell this, or to be able to have strong enough of a presence to tell a CEO and Football Manager absolutely what they should be doing (in the manner of a Matthews or a Walls) rather than simply being there for input?

[Ghost Dog]

I don't want to come across critical (again) but I don't understand the appointments -- I thought the whole point of getting independent, experienced outsiders was that they were:

a. independent (which Chris isn't), and
b. experienced (which neither of them are)

I thought the idea of having a successful and experienced former senior coach on the panel was to be able to discern if interviewing candidates were just talking out of their arses in their presentations or if they were saying anything of merit. Would either of Tom or Chris have enough experience and knowledge of the coaching caper to be able to tell this, or to be able to have strong enough of a presence to tell a CEO and Football Manager absolutely what they should be doing (in the manner of a Matthews or a Walls) rather than simply being there for input?

I'm with you Lantern. Props to both these guys, but Harley and Grant don't have the right coaching experience you would want.
One of them ( a bit of youth ) would be fine, but both of them? What about LEIGH!??

[azabob]

I'm with you Lantern. Props to both these guys, but Harley and Grant don't have the right coaching experience you would want.
One of them ( a bit of youth ) would be fine, but both of them? What about LEIGH!??

Leigh is already spoken for.

[azabob]

Perhaps a 'promotion' to senior assistant.

Senior assistant coach. He's an asset and I think he he would be a great addition for a new coach.

Agree.

[LostDoggy]

Leigh is already spoken for.

So we were second to the dance even when it came to appointing a coach-picker? Doesn't bode well for our chances to pip Adelaide or Melbourne to the best candidate available, does it?

Sorry for the negativity.. I'm just pretty over footy for the year, if not longer. Will be out of the country soon though and hard to watch footy/post from abroad so WOOF won't have to put up with my vibes shortly!

[azabob]

So we were second to the dance even when it came to appointing a coach-picker? Doesn't bode well for our chances to pip Adelaide or Melbourne to the best candidate available, does it?

Sorry for the negativity.. I'm just pretty over footy for the year, if not longer. Will be out of the country soon though and hard to watch footy/post from abroad so WOOF won't have to put up with my vibes shortly!

In our defence I think Leigh Matthews was approached before we announced our decision.

I think the reason every decision is now being questioned is because of how we handled the Eade decision - especially being unable to give an actual reason to why his contract was not renewed.