Feeling sympathy for Docker fans

[meher baba]

Lyon is a highly-talented coach. I wouldn't be writing him or Freo off just yet. We were garbage for 18 months in 2007-08: it takes a while for a team to learn to play under Lyon.

That said, I agree to some extent with the big footy poster quoted by SainterK: the importance of individual coaches is significantly overrated by the media and fans. The all-round talent and experience of our list played the major part of how well we went in 2004-05 and 2009-10.

It seems, despite the negative views displayed a few months ago by many in the media and on here, that we still have a fair bit of talent on our list. Really, despite all the turmoil at the top of the club and the sacking of coaches, our recruitment, list management and player development strategies in the decade up to the end of 2007 - after which we dropped the ball for a couple of years - have stood us in very good stead. A

And now we seem to be well and truly back on track. It's all good, and shows that the real driver of club success is the state of the playing list, not the quality of the minds in the coaches box.

[st_Trav_ofWA]

Funny a mate of mine at the derby posted photos after the game from one of the Corp boxes on Facebook with 12 dockers players who played only hours earlier running laps of subi oval ... Griffin was one of them

[Joffa 5]

Another thing to remember is the game plan was designed to counteract the way Geelong played the game. At the time they were the benchmark and Ross repeatedly reference them when talking about the game plan. The way the cats handballed back to the player in space to create their run was negated by the all out attack on the man with the ball. The game has moved on, quick forward ball movement has been implemented to counteract the press. Ross can't expect the Saints Footy game plan to work anymore.

Having said that though, I don't believe he has taken a carbon copy of what he did with us. He's trying to develop the defensive side of Freos game and they're going to take time to adjust, just like we did in 07

[st_Trav_ofWA]

I think Freo are a bit further back then us in 07 when Ross came to us the clubs expectations were not that high for quick success and our players were ready willing and able to accept the game plan ... Freo are not sold on Ross and the club are expecting big things very very soon from Ross

[SainterK]

I think Freo are a bit further back then us in 07 when Ross came to us the clubs expectations were not that high for quick success and our players were ready willing and able to accept the game plan ... Freo are not sold on Ross and the club are expecting big things very very soon from Ross

It's not his fault if they didn't do their due dilligence Trav.

Would he even care what the board thinks, because I'm not sure he has cared what boards think up until this point?

He will implement his style, he will take home his pay check, the rest is their problem.

[plugger66]

I think Freo are a bit further back then us in 07 when Ross came to us the clubs expectations were not that high for quick success and our players were ready willing and able to accept the game plan ... Freo are not sold on Ross and the club are expecting big things very very soon from Ross

It's not his fault if they didn't do their due dilligence Trav.

Would he even care what the board thinks, because I'm not sure he has cared what boards think up until this point?

He will implement his style, he will take home his pay check, the rest is their problem.

Exactly how every coach should think.

[st_Trav_ofWA]

In a two team town it's a bit different .. In Melbourne he could maybe hide the expectations of the board and their feelings of where they feel the team should be .. Not in Perth the heat will be on Ross from the media very quickly especially if WCE go as deep into the finals as eople over here expect.. There are already whispers of player unrest creeping in

[defacto]

I think Freo are a bit further back then us in 07 when Ross came to us the clubs expectations were not that high for quick success and our players were ready willing and able to accept the game plan ... Freo are not sold on Ross and the club are expecting big things very very soon from Ross

he doesnt have alot of time to get the results. pav, sandi, mcpharlin will all be 30 next year wont they?

he left for four reasons apparently:
1) $$$
2) support of the board and more control
3) potential of the freo list
4) salary cap room

i think ross already knows he grossly over rated the list. he needs to make finals this year or the supporters will turn BIG TIME!! which may affect the support he gets from the board. if he doesnt make finals next year either then he;s even in more trouble. if freo can afford to pay harvey and ross. they'll be prepared to pay ross and some new coach.

his only option is to bring in some big name players using the salary cap room. but i think he only has room for one player and not enough cap to lure anyone decent across.

ross moved 2 years too late, ideal time for freo was 2009. he's now in the same position as last year. oh the lolz

[defacto]

In a two team town it's a bit different .. In Melbourne he could maybe hide the expectations of the board and their feelings of where they feel the team should be .. Not in Perth the heat will be on Ross from the media very quickly especially if WCE go as deep into the finals as eople over here expect.. There are already whispers of player unrest creeping in

spot on. when he came over fans held a protest outside the clubs offices. they expect and demand to play finals. after they beat geelong thats all they were talking about. after the derby loss, talk back radio was full of dockers fans wanting his head. if he doesnt make finals this year, they'll be 3 or 4 deep coming from him. if he doesnt make finals next year, they'll be lynching him.

i dont think ross truely understood what he was in for when he signed on (i.e. the freo culture, the playing group and the perth fishbowl). i think he was blinded by the $$$, the control, the ego of being head hunted and the powerpoint presentation the board gave him.

[st_Trav_ofWA]

He is in for a hard time .. Freo are looking desperately for that quick fix and Ross is meant to be that quick fix .. As I said Ross fronts the media every week one on one on channel 7 news he has weekly interviews on all the Perth radio stations there is no chance of forming a bubble around it there is no hiding or " I'm not doing media this week" it's a hard task and I think a lot harder then just coaching a team .. It's no secret Freo want a flag while Pav and Sandi are still playing and they have shown they are not afraid to show the coach the door ... For Ross's families sake I hope he is putting the $$ into better investments then last time cause he needs this team to pull a rabbit out of the hat to keep the members/board happy