Matthew Knights sacked

[mjp]

Re: Matthew Knights sacked

Just on another note, what do we actually know about Hardwick yet?

Depending on the next couple of years, the decision to select Knights might turn out to be astute! Talk about the honeymoon period.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Matthew Knights sacked

Just on another note, what do we actually know about Hardwick yet?

Depending on the next couple of years, the decision to select Knights might turn out to be astute! Talk about the honeymoon period.

The point is that Hardwick was realistic in his assessment which according to the scribes led to his non-selection. They were the last two in the race.

The issue here is not whether Hardwick will make a successful coach but the basis upon which a Coach should be selected. The Essendon hierarchy fell for the idea that their time was nigh when the Drover's Dog could tell they were short of the mark.

No amount of information will prove the selection of Knights as being "astute"

[LostDoggy]

Re: Matthew Knights sacked

And at least Hardwick, being an Essendon man, would have been a softer landing for all your stakeholders after 27 years of Sheeds than some novice no-name coach (with all due respect) from Richmond -- he certainly would have had a lot more goodwill, and football clubs are emotional places. Strategic blunder after strategic blunder: it's the textbook case of how NOT to run a coaching transition (which makes Eddie's Malthouse/Buckley deal look even more forward thinking than ever).

And what was the deal with giving Knights an extension last year?

[The Coon Dog]

Re: Matthew Knights sacked

some novice no-name coach (with all due respect) from Richmond

Bit ironic really in a way, as that's exactly what Sheedy was in 1981.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Matthew Knights sacked

Bit ironic really in a way, as that's exactly what Sheedy was in 1981.

Haha, you know what they say about lightning striking twice. I thought about that when I wrote the line, but decided to leave it in... if the Essendon board thought that 2007 = 1981, well.

[mjp]

Re: Matthew Knights sacked

The point is that Hardwick was realistic in his assessment which according to the scribes led to his non-selection. They were the last two in the race.

Is this the truth or urban legend? I know this was what was rumored to have happened, but I am not sure Essendon have ever come out and said this was the case.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Matthew Knights sacked

Is this the truth or urban legend? I know this was what was rumored to have happened, but I am not sure Essendon have ever come out and said this was the case.

Only those involved know for certain but this was the view of all media outlets at the time.

It was commented that Hardwick had the job until Knights went in and told them their window of opportunity was now. The egos of the suit brigade liked what they heard.

[Sockeye Salmon]

Re: Matthew Knights sacked

Is this the truth or urban legend? I know this was what was rumored to have happened, but I am not sure Essendon have ever come out and said this was the case.

I'm bloody certain they're not going to own up to it now.

[The Underdog]

Re: Matthew Knights sacked

Is this the truth or urban legend? I know this was what was rumored to have happened, but I am not sure Essendon have ever come out and said this was the case.

I think there is some truth in it, although it may have been overplayed by the media.
It is fact though that Hardwick had a laptop failure in the final interview which destroyed his power point and made it hard for him to look overly professional. Knight's final presentation was much better in comparison which helped him win the job. So Knight's positivity wasn't the only deciding factor.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Matthew Knights sacked

I think there is some truth in it, although it may have been overplayed by the media.
It is fact though that Hardwick had a laptop failure in the final interview which destroyed his power point and made it hard for him to look overly professional. Knight's final presentation was much better in comparison which helped him win the job. So Knight's positivity wasn't the only deciding factor.

Haha yeah, PowerPoint tells you how good you'll be as an AFL coach. If anything, there's probably an inversely proportional relationship between your deftness at PowerPoint and your ability to be a gun coach. I wonder what Leigh Matthews' PowerPoint skills are like.

Stupid suits. It's like a Dilbert strip.

[comrade]

Re: Matthew Knights sacked

I wonder what Leigh Matthews' PowerPoint skills are like.

I just giggled thinking about Lethal putting the finishing touches on a pinwheel animation!

[mjp]

Re: Matthew Knights sacked

Haha yeah, PowerPoint tells you how good you'll be as an AFL coach. If anything, there's probably an inversely proportional relationship between your deftness at PowerPoint and your ability to be a gun coach. I wonder what Leigh Matthews' PowerPoint skills are like.

Stupid suits. It's like a Dilbert strip.

Not sure I agree.

Being able to clearly and coherently get your message across - using video and animations - to a generation that understands and expects things to be delivered via multi-media - is a key aspect of coaching.

Whether Matthews puts the presentations together himself or gets assistance from the IT Dept. to do it is largely irrelevant...he would certainly be experienced in mapping out a presentation and delivering it.

With the legend of the Hardwick powerpoint failure, I actually think it is a good test. How your presentation holds together when all the surrounding technology fails is a good measure of how clear it is...can you still get the concepts across?

Most of todays coaches would be spending a significant proportion of their time identifying what they want to show their players and figuring out how to show it most effectively.

[Mantis]

Re: Matthew Knights sacked

Haha yeah, PowerPoint tells you how good you'll be as an AFL coach. If anything, there's probably an inversely proportional relationship between your deftness at PowerPoint and your ability to be a gun coach. I wonder what Leigh Matthews' PowerPoint skills are like.

Stupid suits. It's like a Dilbert strip.

After Wallet got the boot the choice for our coach was down to 2. Peter Rohde's PP presentation was excellent..... Brian Royal's was poor.

Guess who got the job.

[The Pie Man]

Re: Matthew Knights sacked

After Wallet got the boot the choice for our coach was down to 2. Peter Rohde's PP presentation was excellent..... Brian Royal's was poor.

Guess who got the job.

Wasn't that a sliding door?

I've heard Hawkins mention this in interviews before as well (something about him asking the board why Rhode was appointed, 'because his presentation was good')

[The Pie Man]

Re: Matthew Knights sacked

I'm watching a replay of On the Couch, and Hird predictably being grilled - but this I found really funny.

On the coaching job, Hird replies 'no I wasn't offered it, I didn't accept it'

Huh? You were offered that job James