What changes would you make?
Here's what I would do...
STEP 1: I would arrange an "open" meeting with senior players and then with the coaching panel in an effort to determine if the on field problems are due to the list, coaches, or both.
I would then seek to address these issues accordingly.
STEP 2: Based on the above, a decision would be made regarding the senior coach, and whether or not he is the right person to take us forward.
If retained, I would emphasize that he has 1 year to prove us right, and ask that he modifies his methods to address any problems he may have with the players. Would examine if senior coach requires new assistants. And give him the freedom to recruit players he deems necessary to carry his plan.
STEP 3: My main objective is to ensure that we survive as a club over and above anything else.
Therefore, some hard decisions need to be made regarding our playing list and our future direction. As it currently stands, we aren't even close to winning a flag, so now might be the best time to rebuild. Due to the nature of the system, doing so owuld probably mean 1 or two tears of pain.
STEP 4: I would work out who the Top 6 to 8 players are that we can build our team around. These players are non-negotiable. Everyone else would be fair game in order to recruit the necessary players.
Naturally, due to the drafting and trading rules, we cannot turn over 20 players in any one year. therefore, we would ask the remaining group if they are 150% serious about helping our club win a flag.
STEP 5: I would invlolve these players in the decision making process so that they "buy in" to the club's vision, and minimize the risk of players leaving the club.
STEP 6: I would go back to a "pick the next best" player in the draft policy, and only trade picks if it would fit our long term plans. Alternatively, I would seek to trade players for draft picks and inject more youth into the team.
STEP 7: In 2009, we would cut off the dead-wood and begin to bring young players through. If this means shprt term pain via losses, then so be it. We have gone the "top up" path over the previous 4 years and it has failed. Time to reload and plan our next tilt.
STEP 8: Ensure that all off field resources are at "best practice" level. Including tarining facilities, medico team, fitness coach, and senior coaches. Most importantly, we must seek to ensure off field stability as well as financial stability. Therefore, there would be no knee-jerk decisions made.
STEP 9: Any possible rebuild carries the risk of alienating supports who rightly crave the ultimate success. Therefore, strong and united leadership will be required by senior players, coaches and Admin in assuring members... this minimize any drop in membership numbers.
STEP 10: I would make Harvey an offer to good to refuse and appoint him as a development coach. This would require him to work closely with our VFL affiliate team to ensure that young players are as ready as can be when debuting for the seniors.
Quite simple really.
, give the kid a fair dinkum go.
