Ashley Browne, afl.com.au writer: I think that what these appointments demonstrate more than ever is that coaching is a profession and that there are many steps along the way to one of the 18 positions of senior coach at an AFL club. What's interesting is that these three clubs have gone the complete opposite direction of the Brisbane Lions and Essendon in recent years, who have handed their senior coach jobs to former club champions with little coaching background. I reckon the Michael Voss experience in Brisbane has served as an example of how not to go about finding a coach.
Nick Bowen, AFL Record writer: Agree, Ash. Runs on the board - whether it's at local or assistant AFL level - have never been so important. And if clubs choose to go with relatively raw assistants in the future, expect support from former coaches, like Essendon have with Mark Thompson playing Yoda to James Hird's Luke Skywalker.
Luke Holmesby, afl.com.au writer: One appointment that stands out from a while back was Alastair Clarkson to the Hawks. There were more than a couple of former Hawthorn champions in the running and Clarkson was a surprise choice that turned out to be a masterstroke.
Ryan: He's had great backing from Jason Dunstall, which appears, from the outside to have been critical.
Michael Lovett, AFL Record writer: In the case of Neeld and McCartney, it's a chance to grab some long-term experience at all levels, from country footy to the very top. Both have been spruiked by coaches of the ilk of Mick Malthouse (Neeld) and Mark Thompson (McCartney) and I think it got to the stage where they could not be ignored. Sanderson is a smart operator who has just the right background - four years in a successful program with Geelong. All three have massive tasks but given a bit of time, I think they are up for the challenge.
Holmesby: It also highlights the need to be in the right place at the right time. If you happen to have been an assistant at Collingwood or Geelong in the past few years you probably have a greater chance of landing a senior gig than if you came from one of the other clubs.
Howard Kotton, AFL Record writer: It helps their cause that they understand the processes of modern-day AFL clubs. The head coach needs to engage in a consultative process with their assistants and their players. Responsibility for overall performance is shared. Clearly it helps the cause of these three guys that they have been involved with the top two teams in the competition at the moment.
Ryan: It shows the breadth of the role. It is a management job that is near impossible to walk into as it goes way beyond the technical aspects of the game. Coaches need to manage a staff of 30 off-field support, plus players and volunteers as well as manage upwards to the board. Being good at executing a rocket handball doesn't cut the mustard nor does being a good big game player or a ranter and a raver. It's about being smart and ready. Luke's right, being an assistant at a premiership club seems part of the criteria, although Chris Scott came from Fremantle so go figure.
Callum Twomey, AFL Record writer: Hard to place all three together as each club had its own circumstances, but clearly clubs believe that inside knowledge - which caretaker coaches Paul Williams, Todd Viney and Mark Bickley all possessed - isn't as valuable as a fresh outlook. McCartney's move to Essendon has obviously helped his coaching credentials considerably. The players there loved him, the coaches respected him and he carried with him great knowledge and footy perspective.
Bowen: I think what's been interesting out of this whole process too has been Scott Burns' seeming ambivalence about putting his hand up for a senior coaching gig. He reportedly had to have his arm twisted to talk to Adelaide and he has now withdrawn himself from the running for the Saints' job. Either he thinks he's not ready to coach - he's had three years under John Worsfold at the Eagles - or he doesn't rate the jobs on offer.
Ryan: What type of candidate does it suggest the Saints should target?
Lovett: The Saints are caught between a rock and a hard place because they have some great players getting closer to the end than the start and they need to get some youth into their line-up. The drums are beating about Scott Watters and for all the reasons outlined so far, he would bring freshness and a completely new game-plan. The short-term solution would be to grab Rodney Eade (a great coach for now) but I think they need to take a risk with someone like Watters.
Holmesby: They need to present a more open image than they have in the past. They need sponsors on board and it's a fact that quite a large proportion of the media can't be bothered going to the weekly Seaford mid-week press conference unless a big story is brewing. That's not the only factor but it is one they will keep in mind.
Ryan: Yep agree, I think the Saints should go down the path the Eagles have gone down in the past few years. Re-establish what is great about the club, put character number one, have a coach who is a leader in every way and start to show the world when they are ready why St Kilda is a great club. Premierships will come from culture.
Twomey: Someone with some patience, and someone who the club will invest time into so he can rebuild and regenerate a list which has tried so hard for that elusive flag for about eight consecutive years. It's a tough gig.
Browne: Not sure how many of the 'hot' assistants are left. Perhaps Leon Cameron. The Saints are replenishing now and need to get younger, so the new coach must be able to teach, develop and exercise some patience. I fear that 'Rocket' Eade won't coach again. It's a massive time for the Saints. They need an injection of elite, young talent, but would need to trade a star, such as Nick Riewoldt or Brendon Goddard to get it. That will be the first job for the new coach to decide.
Twomey: You can't trade Goddard unless he wants to go. There's no reason he can't be an elite player for the next seven to eight years.
Bowen: Regardless of their level of experience, I think the Saints are going to need someone with a real development focus who can fast-track their existing kids and those they draft in the next few years. Their ability to keep morale up over what could be a tough period will also be important.
Ryan: Was Fremantle's decision right to sack Mark Harvey and appoint Ross Lyon? Have we now gone to clubs chasing the best available coach without regard for the incumbent or is this a one-off?
Holmesby: The proof will be in the pudding. If they win a flag in the next two years then everyone will be trying to pull off something like this coup. If they fail, then clubs will play it safe.
Kotton: I'm sure Ross Lyon will lift Fremantle up the ladder, if not for the fact that the list will be back to full strength after a horror run with injury this year. But I think the way it was handled, by the club and new coach, left a lot to be desired and a sour taste in the mouth.
Lovett: Freo's decision was right, not sure about the way they dumped Mark Harvey. Taking that argument out this discussion, I have no doubt Ross Lyon is just the man for them. Forget the loyalty talk, Lyon owes nothing to anyone other than to himself. As he has said, he's a career coach and just wait until Fremantle start winning a few games. The fans will get over it and their side will have a harder edge. I am sure he will tweak his defensive mindset ... we can't forget he had the Saints within two bad bounces of the ball from a premiership.
Browne: First and foremost, footy clubs exist to win games and contend for premierships, so any step taken in that direction is the right move. It's the biggest splash Fremantle have ever made. Lyon will get Freo into the top four within two years. Lock it in.
Ryan: I have to say I have no real problem with Ross Lyon's decision. He was headhunted and he did not break his contract and it is the type of thing that happens in the real world all the time. But I think it has left a big question mark on Fremantle. The great clubs in recent times include Geelong, who went through a serious review in 2006 that tested relationships but was open and honest, and it emerged as a great team and club and with respect. That was what I would describe as courageous leadership. Collingwood went through some agony in 2009 but at least things were open and it won a flag by keeping people in place and supporting them. History suggests that clubs who don't treat its people well - and I think of Richmond before this administration - fail. Short sighted decision.
Bowen: Freo's was one of the 'ballsiest' calls I can remember. Its executive is in the best position to make a call about Mark Harvey as a coach, so perhaps they deserve the benefit of the doubt. But the pressure will be on Ross Lyon, Steve Rosich and Steve Harris next year. Injuries permitting, Lyon would want to take Freo to the finals at a bare minimum. It will also be interesting to see how quickly the Fremantle players adapt to his game-plan. His great mate Paul Roos made it clear on On The Couch on Monday night that Lyon would bring a non-negotiable structure to Freo's play that hasn't necessarily existed in the past.
Twomey: If Freo start winning games, and make the finals year on year and eventually win a flag, then yes, it will be the right call. Agree with Michael on this. Sometimes a big call has to be made in the history of a club, and this might be that decision for Fremantle.
Ryan: Can anyone name a big call done in this manner that has lead to a premiership?
Lovett: Good question, Peter. I'd call it a poor man's version of Ron Barassi being lured to North Melbourne in 1973. A year later the Roos were in the Grand Final and two years later, they won a flag.
Browne: Howard would remember the details better than me, but Carlton ditched favourite son Percy Jones after a year as coach, brought in David Parkin and won back-to-back flags in 1981 and 1982.
Ryan: Mmmm, interesting, good examples, North Melbourne had a 10-year rule that helped too so it went the whole hog, not just the coach.
Kotton: Jones had to go and the decision proved correct, with Parkin guiding a superb team to successive triumphs. Good bloke, Perc, but not a great coach.
Bowen: How do we assess the Swans and Carlton's seasons? Should the Blues re-appoint Ratten?
Lovett: Ratten has to be reappointed for two years minimum. No one-year option, that would would be a cop out. He has been learning on the job but he has now achieved a high pass mark,
Browne: Both had good seasons and finished where they should have. The Swans lost their first-choice bookends at the start of the season, developed a decent midfield and enjoyed a season out of the box from Adam Goodes. But they need a bit more skill, turnovers killed them against Hawthorn. The Blues were tremendous against West Coast and given all the events that conspired against them, a trifle unlucky not to win. I agree with Mick, two years minimum for Ratten, with no riders.
Kotton: 'Ratts' will be reappointed, for two seasons. He deserves it. The players are playing for him, as last Saturday night's semi-final indicated. Many of the players have improved and there is still scope for more. The Swans had a fine season and found a few excellent youngsters such as Sam Reid. But they must show they can win on the road, particularly the MCG.
Ryan: The Swans and Carlton's performances were equally outstanding but I don't think the Blues look too far from a flag winning combination where the Swans still seem a long way off, particularly when the Goodes-O'Keefe-Bolton trio finishes. Great effort. Ratten must be re-signed with continued support to ensure he continues to improve.
Bowen: I think Ratten has the Blues on the right track. For them to finish the season strongly when Michael Jamison and Jarrad Waite were missing more often than not was a great effort. It's now all about the Blues trying to fill any gaps in their list that could hold them back from challenging the big boys. The papers were suggesting they should have a red-hot crack at Chris Dawes in trade week. Sounds good in theory - they could do with another key forward - but as always it depends on what they'd have to give up to get him.
Ryan: The spoil: How can Josh Gibson's effectiveness in killing the marking contest be negated? Is this tactic Hawthorn's 2011 version of its rushed behind tactic in 2011?
Lovett: Well, the AFL won't be changing the rule next year to take out the spoil! How many rushed behinds in 2008? Give me a break!
Holmesby: I guess the key to negating Gibson is to have Collingwood smalls in the right places. Gibson going up means there will be one less Hawk on the ground. Plenty of smart Collingwood goalsneaks could position themselves to crumb to him in the same way good mids crumb to opposition ruckmen. He was punching laterally though so it's not as simple as getting front and square.
Browne: The spoil was very effective for Hawthorn on Friday night, and they probably overdid it a few times. But the Swans made the mistake of kicking the ball high to the forwards rather than spot up a lead. The Pies will lower their eyes going forward and get their small forwards more involved.
Bowen: Gibson didn't look so flash the week before against Geelong when the Cats were able to get the ball down quickly to James Podsiadly, Tom Hawkins, Brad Ottens and Trent West. And Travis Cloke and Chris Dawes will be far tougher propositions for the Hawks' defence than Sam Reid and Jesse White - with occasional help from Adam Goodes - were. If the Magpies break even in the midfield or better, I don't think Gibson will have luxury of flying third man up as often as he did against the Swans.
Ryan: So what is their tactic this week to counteract the Pies?
Lovett: The Hawks need to slow the tempo of the game and take the air out of the footy. Watch Collingwood's rotations closely and react accordingly. Deny the Pies' runners the chance to move the ball quickly into Cloke and Dawes and have someone sit on Krakouer all night. Dare I say, they might have to play some unsociable football...
Kotton: Hawthorn's midfield must stand up this week - Hodge, Mitchell, Lewis, Sewell need to have big games. The ruck battles will be interesting as well, with Jolly struggling for fitness. He might benefit from the week off, though.
Ryan: The Hawks need to win the midfield battle, simple as that. Get it in quick to Buddy with Cyril at his feet. Would not be surprised to see Goldsack play as a back-up in case Buddy or Hodge start to get too involved.
Bowen: Agree, Pete. For the Hawks to win they have to win the midfield battle. When the momentum changed in the second quarter of their game against the Cats it was because Paul Chapman, James Kelly and Joel Selwood started to dominate in the middle of the ground. The fact Buddy - a spot of gastro aside - should be in even better nick after getting through last week's game unscathed means they have a chance.
Browne: They'll need to back their mids to match Collingwood for contested ball and clearances. The addition of Brad Sewell, Jordan Lewis and Cyril Rioli to the team that played last night cannot be overstated. They'll need another avenue to goal, so the inclusion of Luke Breust would come as no surprise. Not sure who will miss out. Chance Bateman was on the edge, but he wound back the clock with a great game against the Swans.
Ryan: Interesting to see Suckling as substitute last week. Suggests the Hawks have tweaked their plan slightly with Stratton playing a critical role and the ball movement slightly more aggressive and less precise. They have led the competition in uncontested ball but realise the need in finals to get it in quick and fight for it. Sure to be a different game to the one between Pies v Hawks in round 15.
Ryan: Were reports of the death of the tight tag greatly exaggerated? Would you play Scott Selwood on his brother Joel if you were coach?
Twomey: Why wouldn't you? Selwood, of the Joel variety, is arguably Geelong's most damaging midfielder and Scott Selwood is in some good form for the Eagles. There's no conflict of interest given they are brothers, except perhaps for their parents.
Lovett: Why not? The younger Selwood is the Eagles' best choice running both ways and he might be able to get into older brother's head. That said, Joel is a big-time player and he knows each week he will have a hard tag. The Cats might be able to spread the workload and shake the tag with heavy rotations and increased use of the bench.
Ryan: No reason, just asking, they might freak out or something.
Ryan: The Eagles remind me of the Collingwood version of 2009, brave in qualifying, just got over in the semi and then thrashed in the preliminary after a great end to the season. What chance do the Eagles have against Geelong? Where, if anywhere, is Geelong susceptible?
Kotton: The big question about Geelong is whether its forward set-up can stand up for the second final in a row. Tom Hawkins was superb against Hawthorn, can he repeat that display? The fitness of Cox, Naitanui and Kerr will be crucial to the Eagles' chances.
Browne: Geelong is in a good place. Fresh, fit, genuine competition for spots and not getting on a plane to play the game. It would appear to have the Eagles covered in most areas, although if Dean Cox, Nic Naitanui and Josh Kennedy get among it, the Eagles will have a chance. But the Carlton match will have taken plenty out of the Eagles and they haven't won at the MCG for a couple of years.
Bowen: The Eagles obviously have a chance but the Cats are a more complete team. Even if the Eagles can stick with them for the first half, the week's rest should mean the Cats wear them down in the end. In any event, it will be a great experience for youngsters like Luke Shuey, Jack Darling and co.
Ryan: Ruck is the only place the Eagles have an ascendancy on paper but Brad Ottens is a star and West capable. I think the Cats by plenty after an early fight from the Eagles. The real question is who plays the Cats?
Kotton: I'd say the Pies.
Lovett: I think the Cats will have too much finals experience for the Eagles and the Pies will just get over the Hawks in the other prelim.
Browne: I think the Pies narrowly, but the Hawks can really exploit them if they're down.
Bowen: I think the Pies and Cats will both win comfortably, which will set up a cracking Grand Final. For most of the season, I've been confident the Pies would find an extra gear to get them over the line. But I think I've been guilty of underestimating the Cats. They are still a seriously good team and I think Chris Scott has them trained to the minute. If I had to pick a winner now, I'd say the Cats. I realise this means you'll bar me from next week's chat, Pete. But what the heck.
Ryan: Hope you're right, in terms of the Grand Final participants Nick. From thereon, may the best team win.
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs
