First off, Jade Rawlings is the new Tigers coach, for the moment. And what's even more surprising, he axed most of the veterans, some of their best players, and they win the fucking match. Who saw that one coming? I'll say it was a fluke, and we'll see what happens in the Tigers next match, and we'll see whether Rawlings has stumbled onto a new secret for success, or whether it was a one off..
Why is it surprising? The only 'old' guy they dropped that had any business stil playing it that team was Joel Bowden. He was in pretty good form and was a bit stiff to get dropped, but even then not sure he adds a lot to the team. Troy Simmonds was only playing cos Gus Graham was injured and Jordan McMahon is close to the biggest hack going around. Surprising that the won? Not if you follow football. Playing West Coast in Melbourne, West Coast have a young team and sadly to say for me atm West Coast are shit, havent won in Melbourne for 16 games. Richmond were favorites surprise? No Way. Test for Rawlings will come in how he goes for the rest of the season. But Richmond should be trying to get Malthouse or Choco.
Second, Dean Laidley resigning as North Melbourne's coach. I honestly didn't see this one coming, I thought maybe he would've waited til the end of the season for it. But anyway, now North is under pressure to look for a new coach. What will probably happen is their assistant coach, I don't know his name, will step up to coach, at least until the season's out.
Massive surprise Laidley stepping down. But sounds as though he did whats best for he and the club. Sounded like he wasnt ging to be there next year, so why not move on if he and club arent going anywhere? Darren Crocker is his name, former North premiership player. Not sure how he will go. Apparently they are after Buckley for $800,000 a year, where the hell will the get that from??
And then there are four coaches that will be out of contrat at the end of the season Rodney Eade, Mick Malthouse, John Worsfold and Mark Williams. There is no wya in hell that Rodney will get sacked, the Dogs are at the top of the game, and they're on a hot streak. Mark Williams won't leave either, because Port are playing pretty well too, even though they just got smashed by the Dogs. John Worsfold is gone, West Coast will already be thinking about who to replace them with. They could play so much better, but they aren't for some reason. Mick Malthouse, I think we'll need to see a few more games before deciding his fate. It's too hard to tell right now.
Rodney Eade: Will be re-signed by the Dogs. Has them playing some great footy after a slow start. Still think that they need a big key forward to go that step higher come finals time. Currently clearly the third best team and have shown that they can push the Cats. Dangerous.
Mark Williams: Will not be at Port next year. If he is the Power are in some serious trouble. Has lost the playing group. Shuffles deck chairs on the titanic by bringing guys like Carr and Thurstans in and out instead of giving guys like Davenport, Broadbent, Stewart a go. Lade is finished, so is Carr and P Burgoyne. S Burgoyne, Chad Cornes and Motlop out for extended periods.. going no where. If by playing well you mean losing 3 of their last 4 and getting belted in their losses and only just overcoming Freo at AAMI, then yeah going real well.
John Worsfold Will be coach of West Coast next year. Close to signing an extension. Is a favorite son and premiership coach will be given some time to try and build the Eagles up. West Coast are starting to give the kids a go and have a ayoungish team with the likes of MAsten, Ebert, Natanui, Scott Selwood, Kennedy, McKenzie, Swift, Cockie etc.... Will probably get two more years.
Mick Malthouse: To me is the most interesting one. One day he is out the door at Collingwood. The next he looks like he will be staying on for a while. I believe he will be coaching somewhere next year either Collingwood or Richmond. But I reckon the time could be now to let Buckley takeover at Collingwood.
Onto the actual footy side of the things. Geelong are playing crap at the moment, but they're still managing to stay undefeated. It almost looks like they don't care anymore. I think for the last couple of games, they've only just managed to beat the team they were playing. Freo looked like they could've won earlier. Geelong have arguably the most talented team in the AFL, but they're not using it.
The Doggies right now are on a hot streak, and are playing a lot better than Geelong at the moment. If they can keep this streak up for the rest of the year, they will be a real contender for the flag and could win it. Even though St. Kilda is top of the ladder, I think they're flying under the radar a bit. You never hear anything about them anymore, it's almost like it's a given that St. Kilda will win their matches. I think that St. Kilda will choke in the finals, and get knocked out in the second round. But right now, apart from first and second, the top 8 is open and it will only take one game for most of the clubs to get into the top 8. Should be an interesting second half of AFL this year.
So Geelong are undefeated, but not trying? Ok. They havent been laying well for a little while now, but they are still doing enough to beat everyone they face. They have made back to back trips to Perth, and on the surface should slaughter Freo and West Coast, but they have done enough to win both games. When they are playing badly and losing would be the time Bomber Thompson would be worried. As the say a win is a win. They still have Harley and Ottens to come back in and can play way way way better.. thats scary. Round 14 against the Saints should be awesome.
Dogs are playing some great footy thats for sure. When they can run and carry the football they are a very hard team to stop thats fr sure.If they keep playing the way they are I think they could give a Grand Final berth a shake, then anything can happen. But would be a lot more confident if they had a Key Forward who could take a grab and they could go to when the pressure is on. IMO Welsh and Minson wont cut it.
St Kilda are an interesting one. I think they are better prepared this year than any other to take the step and not choke in the finals. Their pressure and defence is outstanding this season adn is a big difference than other years. With Hayes (star) Ball, Dal Santo, Montagna, Gram in the midfield will be able to supply Reiwoldt, Kossie and Milne with enough chances. The defence with the likes of Fisher, Hudghton, Gilbert, Dawson (Yeah Dawson) are solid. I cant wait until ROund 14 to see where they are really at, but I think this year is as good as any in recent memory for the Saints to snare their second flag.
Will be a great end to the season with the middle of the table so close. The competition is very close and any team can beat anyother team on their day. Makes for an exciting season.
Anyway, I wanted t discuss the Tigers' and Terry Wallace's future.