Players endorsement crucial to Richardson's survival

[Sanctorum]

Whilst I have long remained neutral on the question of Richardson remaining as senior coach in 2019, it has occurred to me that the main factor that will determine his survival in that role in 2019 will be the attitude of the senior players to Richardson - do they support him 100% and do they believe that he is the man possessing the qualities and abilities to lead them to success in 2019 and beyond.

This is the $64,000 question.

If there is any doubt in the minds of the senior players, and the incoming president is bound to ascertain this as a priority once he takes over from Summers in December, then he could well be replaced before the start of the new season.

Basset can therefore be the circuit breaker and comes into his new role with "clean hands", in other words he personally will not have given Richo any assurances because "highly unlikely" (when asked if Richo will be be the senior coach in 2019) is hardly a ringing endorsement.

Just as Malcolm Turnbull became dead meat once momentum for his removal as PM reached breaking point, so will the relentless pressure in the media on Richardson force the club to take action.

Politics and sport have a lot in common in arousing passions, and in both arenas there is rough play and serious casualties!

[bergsone]

Whilst I have long remained neutral on the question of Richardson remaining as senior coach in 2019, it has occurred to me that the main factor that will determine his survival in that role in 2019 will be the attitude of the senior players to Richardson - do they support him 100% and do they believe that he is the man possessing the qualities and abilities to lead them to success in 2019 and beyond.

This is the $64,000 question.

If there is any doubt in the minds of the senior players, and the incoming president is bound to ascertain this as a priority once he takes over from Summers in December, then he could well be replaced before the start of the new season.

Basset can therefore be the circuit breaker and comes into his new role with "clean hands", in other words he personally will not have given Richo any assurances because "highly unlikely" (when asked if Richo will be be the senior coach in 2019) is hardly a ringing endorsement.

Just as Malcolm Turnbull became dead meat once momentum for his removal as PM reached breaking point, so will the relentless pressure in the media on Richardson force the club to take action.

Politics and sport have a lot in common in arousing passions, and in both arenas there is rough play and serious casualties!

Trouble is december is too late to change coach,needs to be done now before draft/trade period so new and excisting players know who they will be playing under

[wally]

I agree, any change has to happen before trading begins, from the sound of it unofficially trading has begun.
Existing and potential players need to know the coach situation asap.

[freely]

Surely we're not going to let the players decide who coaches them! Did we learn nothing from the Watters debacle?

[bigred]

Sacking Watters wasn't a debacle.

Watters coaching was a debacle.

[minneapolis]

Lycett....you can go to the Saints where they don't even know who will be the coach or what is the game plan or you can come to us where all that is settled.

[Saintmatt]

Surely we're not going to let the players decide who coaches them! Did we learn nothing from the Watters debacle?

The flipside is that certainly worked out pretty well at the Dogs post 2014

[SaintPav]

The players are revolting.

[freely]

Sacking Watters wasn't a debacle.

Watters coaching was a debacle.

My recollection - and perhaps we remember it differently - is that we appointed Richardson in place of Watters as a sop to our senior players' bruised egos. They loved it. They were in charge. And then they left. All care, no responsibility!

[bigred]

I don't think Watters ever had the players.

Then he went on radio when he was told not to.

Then he got the arse.

And I think even before all this we had players setting Dwarves on fire.

[WellardSaint]

I don't think Watters ever had the players.

Then he went on radio when he was told not to.

Then he got the arse.

And I think even before all this we had players setting Dwarves on fire.

watters brought in a mate from WA to join his coaching panel, without apparently following the correct process,
get it approved by the board, etc.
Is that just a rumour or can tony74 confirm it?