St Kilda's new player development boss to share power

[Stillwaiting]

I just love the doe-eyed faith that the club can do no wrong that many posters on here seem to share. No doubt, if the headline today had been "Watters all-powerful in new Saints coaching structure" the self-same posters would be on here billing and cooing about how fantastic it's all going to be.

I've got absolutely no idea whatsoever whether what is proposed will be an improvement on what has gone before. And I don't understand how anyone can hope to know.

An all-powerful coach in GT got us from the bottom of the table to near the top in 2.5 seasons. Then another all-powerful coach in RL took us to within a hair's breadth of a GF win two years in a row.

While it is theoretically great to share power, there is also a big risk that this will blur the lines of responsibility. If Watters and this soon-to-be-announced Superman are going to have equal responsiblity, then who is going to carry the can if the team doesn't perform?

Well I've got no effin idea whether it's gonna work or not.

But I'm allowed to be happy at the thought the club is trying to do something different rather than same old, same old. And that youth development is now a greater priority. And that the appointments all appear to be fine individuals.

Each to their own I suppose.

Yes you should be happy Doc as things are looking good, but I am a little unsure about giving anyone the same power as Watters. He is the head coach, and whilst we dont want the lyon controlling figure, we do need to have the head coach in control and not feeling undermined.

[shmic_s]

I still think the senior coach will be where the buck stops with on-field results.

The development coach is responsible for the young players coming through. Our young players have been neglected somewhat in the recent past.

Maybe its a way of combining the best of our two previous coaches.
The support and guidance of Grant Thomas from the development coaches, and the tactics and game day coaching of Ross Lyon through the Senior Coach and his team. Maybe now the coach can focus on defense and attack.

[saintsRrising]

While the structure looks good, I think the equal power statement is a beat up.

It is equal in terms of developing the list, but the head coach is still just that and is charge of all selection decisions etc .


What I see this more as is that we now have a new crew of people who will be focussing on developing our young and fringe players . Whereas the coach will be focussed on winning games. When pushcomes to shove with the 22 it will be watters who has the say.

[shmic_s]

What I see this more as is that we now have a new crew of people who will be focussing on developing our young and fringe players . Whereas the coach will be focussed on winning games. When pushcomes to shove with the 22 it will be watters who has the say.

Exactly, gameday tactics and the 22 will come down to Watters.

[St Chris]

The AFL's "equalisation" cash has gone a long way towards this new setup. Never before would we have been able to pay so many coaches. The new setup may have happened if Lyin had stayed anyway.

It's just another way to pour cash into the footy department, rather than a glorified junket to Arizona or Dubai or anything like that, we're concentrating on development. Good on us I say. Hopefully it bears fruit, without wiping out the chances for success in 2012/13.

[Stillwaiting]

What I see this more as is that we now have a new crew of people who will be focussing on developing our young and fringe players . Whereas the coach will be focussed on winning games. When pushcomes to shove with the 22 it will be watters who has the say.

Exactly, gameday tactics and the 22 will come down to Watters.

If the way it works then I would like that, you are probably correct.

[Dr Spaceman]

What I see this more as is that we now have a new crew of people who will be focussing on developing our young and fringe players . Whereas the coach will be focussed on winning games. When pushcomes to shove with the 22 it will be watters who has the say.

Exactly, gameday tactics and the 22 will come down to Watters.

If the way it works then I would like that, you are probably correct.

No reason to think it won't work that way

"Watters will make all selection decisions while the academy director develops emerging talent"

and

"Where we are going is the senior coach sets the technical direction and looks at this year, and the academy director looks at next year and beyond."

[Eastern]

I think applications close for the Academy Manager position this Friday. I see this going to someone with a background in BOTH AFL & Teaching. The 1st name that spring to mind is Nathan Burke. Is there anyone more qualified for the job?

Thoughts? Other possible candidates? !!

[meher baba]

What I see this more as is that we now have a new crew of people who will be focussing on developing our young and fringe players . Whereas the coach will be focussed on winning games. When pushcomes to shove with the 22 it will be watters who has the say.

Exactly, gameday tactics and the 22 will come down to Watters.

If the way it works then I would like that, you are probably correct.

No reason to think it won't work that way

"Watters will make all selection decisions while the academy director develops emerging talent"

and

"Where we are going is the senior coach sets the technical direction and looks at this year, and the academy director looks at next year and beyond."

Well that would possibly work as they would have clearly defined roles.

But someone whose job is designed solely to look at "next year and beyond" may end up struggling a bit to achieve relevance, I would think.

[meher baba]

Other possible candidates? !!

Gary Ayres by the sound of it.

[loris]

I think applications close for the Academy Manager position this Friday. I see this going to someone with a background in BOTH AFL & Teaching. The 1st name that spring to mind is Nathan Burke. Is there anyone more qualified for the job?

Thoughts? Other possible candidates? !!

Yes the Burkey name went through my mind. Guess it depends on the direction he intends taking.

Remember when Jimmy Gwilt first popped on the scene to the amazement of some in that final...... it was Nathan Burke who was doing specialised one on one work with him, as well as being an Assistant Coach. I can remmember the interview Gwilt did about how Nathan influenced him and put all the extra time into him. Then Burkey, left the Assistant role and Jimmy went into oblivion for the next few seasons.

Not only has Nathan that teaching background after he left the assistants role he went into team development in the corporate area. Actually GT opened the doors for him to get the position.

Know an organisation who used Nathan, they recommended him to so many other companys, they thought that highly of his skills.

Hope you are somewhere near the mark with your guess Eastern.

[St Chris]

Pretty sure David Parkin is a qualified teacher......he would certainly be one from outside the box, thats for sure!!!!

[InkerSaint]

This bit certainly sounds encouraging.

"The consistent theme from even the senior group was that our development had not been emphasised as strongly as it should be," Pelchen said.

"I had (AFL Victoria general manager) Grant Williams comment that we have gone from either the worst or second-worst coaching structure in terms of our VFL alignment to the best overnight."

[St Ick]

Looks like Ayres is coming to us so would make sense for this to be his role.

[WinnersOnly]

I thought Greg HUTCHINSON might have been OK? But he was very close to RL so perhaps he has similiar ideals on junior development.

The new structure really does spell out that being a head coach and attempting to tick off on all the requirements is nigh on impossible.

RL was obviously a very good coach of senior players, but had no interest in the development of kids what so ever. He had an attempt at playing the list manager at trade time and failed dismally eg Ball. He had no idea what so ever how to deal with a VFL club alignment and alianated everyone at the respective VFL clubs with his elitist approach.

RL also liked the 'control buttons' and didn't like the idea of being answerable to a manager. As soon a Mr Pelchen arrived to address his weaknesses he rolled up his Freo cash bags and headed west. Now that is not a man who is open to addressing his own weaknesses is it!

GT was obviously a great motivator and drove the younger players to acheive as much as they could without any tactical assistance. He was a gready control freak who wanted the whole 'booty', hence the sports science and player management were neglected. He had a go at doing the players contracts and that detracted from his main role. His ego and gread would finally see him fall out with Preseident and club. He should have lived by his own moto that no one individual is bigger than the club!

In 2012 we will have up 10 individuals doing what RL and GT attempted to do themselves. Whether it be a lack of resources or just an inability to change 'blind freddy' could see what our club needed and Mr Pelchen has delivered.

10 heads will always be better than 1 !!!

[Junction Oval]

Nathan Burke has a successful business (I think), so he may have other priorities. Gary Ayres has "coaching" as his key mantle and seems to like the responsibility of that job level.

It could be anyone, but what about Danny Frawley, or is it past him ?

[Burkey 1]

Would Mick Malthouse do it ? Scott knows him well & obviously trusts him & has a great deal of respect for him ?

Having said that sounds like Ayres might have it !

[Saints94]

Would Ayres be a great choice?, i dont know hope he doesn't think he runs the place down there if he has the same amount of power as the man (Watters)

[joffaboy]

Are they going to have Academy Awards at years end?

[goddardisgod]

Aussie Jones?

[TD]

Aussie Jones?

Do they have a fully stocked bar at Linen House?

[hungry for a premiership]

I have no doubt that this is a fantastic step forward and we will see the results on the field.

There won't be a problem with responsibility because the roles of head coach and development coach don't clash. One is responsible for tactics and the current season, the other is responsible for grooming the talent that will come into the team next season and the seasons beyond.

[Saints94]

I have no doubt that this is a fantastic step forward and we will see the results on the field.

There won't be a problem with responsibility because the roles of head coach and development coach don't clash. One is responsible for tactics and the current season, the other is responsible for grooming the talent that will come into the team next season and the seasons beyond.

+100

[stinger]

Believe it or not, Dawson is the player we can least afford to lose. I'm by no way a fa of his but we don't have anyone else to replace him. Should have made him the priority and been prepared to lose Peake or Clarke.

nah...looks like a girl...and played like one too.......all f****** false aggression...he really was an embarrassment.....losing him is no biggie...

[stinger]

If Watters and this soon-to-be-announced Superman are going to have equal responsiblity, then who is going to carry the can if the team doesn't perform?

I'm sure that no-matter what happens, Raph Clarke will still get blamed.

got that about right too....