If Essendon has done a review and decided the current bloke isn't the one to take them forward, then it had to act decisively. There's no point hanging around if you've made the decision. There's a lot of talk about what sort of coach they need, and a big factor in Matthew going would have been the worries about the drop in membership, attendances, revenue, etc. Getting the right name to take over is crucial, and there's no doubt they would love to get Bomber Thompson or James Hird - former Essendon greats - but I'm still of the belief that you've got to go through a proper process to ensure you get the right person, not just the right name. I don't buy into the idea that you can't get another untried coach - it might be Leon Cameron or Chris Scott, you can't rule anyone out. But putting the right support network around them is vital.
Essendon list
I'm not suggesting their list is about to win the flag next year, but there's a bit there to work with. They have some really good keys with Tayte Pears and Cale Hooker, Michael Hurley's going to be a star and Scott Gumbleton has shown enough this year. Jake Melksham and Travis Colyer both look terrific. If you're a prospective coach, to go and have a crack at that list would be terrific. That's why they moved so swiftly after round 22, they needed to get to market to have the widest selection. They need to talk to people who aren't on the table as well, so if the review says Paul Roos is the best bloke, you try to make an offer he can't refuse. Same with James Hird. Make sure people know you're talking to these guys, but also don't get fixated on them.
Doggies' September
If you lose A-graders, you just can't replace them. Adam Cooney is an absolute A-grader, as are Brad Johnson and Dale Morris. There is also doubt around Ryan Griffen. Losing players like that gives huge problems leading into a final. The ace up your sleeve, then, is being unpredictable. I think they probably have to go with the high-risk strategy of being unpredictable, change the game plan. It's high-risk because you spend the whole year drilling it into players the way you want to play, but if you lose the players you need to carry it out, you have to do something different. You risk the chance of being smashed, but you gain the chance of finding something the opposition haven't predicted.
Hawks a danger
Hawthorn is the most dangerous side outside the four. Only two sides have made it to a preliminary final from outside the top four in recent years - the Hawks and Collingwood. I don't think losing in round 22 has hurt the Magpies, but it has helped the Hawks' belief. Nobody wants to play Hawthorn in the finals, and I think they can at least get to a prelim.
Cousins
Cuz's career achievements are just extraordinary, and I reckon he's the best Eagle ever and as difficult as it has been for the AFL and footy in general to deal with a confessed drug addict, I reckon it's a credit to everyone that he's been able to play two more years and tell his story. I think it gives him the best chance of turning his life around, and hopefully he becomes the poster boy for how you can get your life back on track.
NAB AFL Rising Star
Eight of the 22 nominees are playing finals footy, which is great for football. I remember back to my time at the Bulldogs, and it's genuinely exciting to have gun youngsters playing in September. There are some great stories there, and maybe at the end of September one will have made an even bigger name for himself.
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
