The pressure on the Bombers has gone through the roof with their loss to West Coast - their performance was a disaster. When you have a huge week and a huge amount of scrutiny, the thing you want to back it up with is some real intensity and some real passion. For that to not be there has created even more heat this week. With six rounds to go, the only option that I can see is to completely back Matthew Knights in for the next six weeks, but put everyone on notice that the club doesn’t stand for the performances that are being dished up at the moment.
Essendon - the future (part one)
All clubs have an extensive review of the football department and the coach at the end of the season, and that’s when Essendon should be making decisions on the coach, not now. It needs to be a serious review - speak to every key person. Then, when you’ve done a thorough review, you can get a gauge on whether Matthew Knights is the person to take them forward. If he’s not, then it’s time to get a new coach. But don’t move before then, and make a clear statement about that right now.
Essendon - the future (part two)
Clubs are under a bit of duress in the hunt to find a new coach, because Port Adelaide is already hunting. You want to be in the market early, not getting what’s left. But if that’s the direction, it has to be taken after a thorough review, not just reacting to talkback callers and to media stories. A great example here is Geelong - they did exactly that after 2006, and Mark Thompson’s coaching future was hanging by a thread. Maybe at the end of the day you find you have got the right person, but maybe he needs some support and some boundaries. People might also look at the list rather than solely at the coach.
Adelaide
The Crows have got a really tough run home, but they’re a side that, if they do sneak into the finals, I’m not sure you’d want to play them first up. I reckon they have the potential to beat quality sides, as they showed against the Cats, and do it in a big game, especially if they keep injury-free. I’m really impressed with Phil Davis. It was only the second time I’d seen him live this year, but he played on Cameron Mooney, and he just looks like a young bloke who’s got a lot of good attributes as a player.
Mark LeCras
That has to be one of the best individual games that I’ve ever seen. For a small forward to be able to dominate a game like that is a quality effort. Imagine the excitement he’d generate over here if he played for a Melbourne club? He seems like a very complete player - to be able to do that, especially away from home, was superb. He can go front-and-centre, he can lead up, he can take overhead marks. Pretty good package.
Adam Goodes
Two weeks back in the midfield, two best-on-grounds. Great versatility is terrific, but it can mean you’re not being used to maximum effect if you’re filling holes that the side needs filling. Now he’s back where he belongs, it’s just a good reminder of why he’s been able to achieve what he has in the game. Mobile midfielder is his go, and while he can pinch-hit elsewhere, he’s at his best in the middle.
Brisbane (bonus bit)
The Lions’ match against the Hawks on the weekend was one of the most lopsided contests I’ve seen for a long time. The Hawks had 150 more possessions, 33-8 scoring shots, and 17-2 inside 50s in the first term. It’s an extraordinary fall from grace for Michael Voss's men from the start of the year. They’re probably escaping the scrutiny they deserve because of Essendon. They recruited for short-term gain. If you do that, don’t get success in the short-term and you’ve given away a bit of your future, it’s a double disaster.
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
