John Barker to Hawks.

[BakesFan]

What's Heater doing these days? Geez that bloke could kick!!..

His kicking style and accuracy were exceptional... I think he averaged a little over 4 goals per game with around 70%(maybe higher) accuracy?

We'd scare everyone if Jason could pass on his expertise to the likes of Rooey and Kosi.

[Beej]

What a freakin' crock. Are you serious? It was West's brain, vision and understanding of the game that allowed him to play 300+. Koutifidis just played, West had to learn it. Doesn't mean he'd be a great coach, but that's not down to a lack of player understanding.

Simple truth is when you're short, slow, can't kick over a jam tin and have no right hand side you must understand the game to survive.

I'd have to agree. To have such a successful career without the athleticism of 99.9% of footballers, you need to have smarts.

His footy brain was, for mine, his most outstanding asset.

Just think about the amount of times he used to get the footy in the tightest of situations and still manage to feed a teammate running in space.

His clearance work is probably the best I have seen.

I always thought he came across as having a very strong footy brain in interviews, too.

[Beekay]

On the other hand, anyone who has played football for long enough would know that there are those guns that are as dumb as a post and couldn't string a few words together let alone instruct and coach.

Just because you can play - no matter what circumstances you have overcome - doesn't automatically make you a genius that can lead an army.

That said, none of us would know what West is capable of, no matter how much corny, scripted, down right fake media dribble he has done.

----

Anyway, I think Barker will be a great coach at the Hawks. He just has that something about him... the cute smile maybe

[3rd generation saint]

Well Hawthorn can forget about back to back flags.

They must have been one binge session after their self imposed non drinking session after winning the premiership.

[joffaboy]

Can we entice Jason Cripps back from Port?

[Mr Magic]

Everyone seems to have forgotten that we still have Greg Hutchison on our payroll as an assistant Coach.
I seem to recall that when questioned on Ask Archie about his role now that the alignment with Casey is over, AF mentioned that we would be finding something for him to do as he was a valuable asset.
I' not sure whether they had him earmarked to coach Sandringham (ala his role at Case) as Sandy has a full-time coach already (maybe Zebraman can advise us more accurately on that?), but i would think that Greg would slot in very nicely in a full time assistant's role with us. He has had lots of experience in coaching and assisting at both AFL and VFL level.

I am sure that there are plenty of others out there that would jump at the chance to join our program.

I don't think Aussie Jones is one of them because I get the impression he would not be a 'part of RL's team' - more a 'loose cannon', notwithstanding his apparent great coaching achievements so far.

[SENsei]

Geez there are people around here that have the most inflated opinion of their own opinion.

saintspremiers2008....you are entitled to your opinion. However, you need to back it up with more than "what he appears in the media".

In my opinion, your opinion lack severe credibility if you do not know the person personally, or have worked with him.

For all you know Nathan Thompson and Scott West could turn out to be the best coaches ever.

Can't believe that someone can be so negative based on what they see in the media.

Ross Lyon is an appalling media performer....obviously that means he can't coach either.

Seriously.

[SENsei]

Now that we need potentially two assistants (maybe one depending on Hutchy's changed role), could we look at:

1. Nigel Lappin
2. Shaun Rehn
3. Danny Frawley - I reckon he's ripe to return.
4. Shane Wakelin - good footy brain and smart cookie
5. Darren Bewick - swap for Rock?

I don't think Buckley will be out of the media in 2009 so haven't considered him.

[JeffDunne]

Do we know if he left or was asked to 'explore other options'?

TBH I'm pleased to see we will be making some changes to what was a pretty inexperienced coaching department.

I must admit too I'm still laughing at his gem from SP 2008 :

scott west doesnt seem the sharpest of tools

My doctor told me I needed more irony in my diet . . . so thanks for that SP.

[WinnersOnly]

Lets bring some passion back to the SAINTS and get Aaron HAMILL back on board. I also think soemone like Stephen POWELL would make a great midfiled coach...

[Saints Premiers 2008]

Lets bring some passion back to the SAINTS and get Aaron HAMILL back on board. I also think soemone like Stephen POWELL would make a great midfiled coach...

yes because sammy was told to retire...im sure he will come back

[Schillaci]

Not sad to see him go given our forward line woes and predictability.
Would welcome Terry Daniher back also.
Stewart Loewe?? So long as he doesn't teach them how to kick for goal.

[Mr Magic]

Now that we need potentially two assistants (maybe one depending on Hutchy's changed role), could we look at:

1. Nigel Lappin
2. Shaun Rehn
3. Danny Frawley - I reckon he's ripe to return.
4. Shane Wakelin - good footy brain and smart cookie
5. Darren Bewick - swap for Rock?

I don't think Buckley will be out of the media in 2009 so haven't considered him.

I think Spud's days of coaching at teh Sints may have passed. I believe SOS has the backline job for as long as he likes. But Spud may well have a role to play with the Match Commitee if RL wants him there.

Rehn may be ok if we no longer have Madden as Ruck Coach

Wakelin, in the interviews I ahve seen him in comes across as a very clear thinker and erudite person. WHilst he played his early gmes with us as a forward I would think he spent 95% of his time as a KPP backman and would be up against SOS in that role. If we were to lose SOS then I would fell comfortable in having Wakes as our Backline coach.

Bewick has good publicity as a n assistant coach but I don't really know much about him.
Nigel Lappin was a good player but who knows his coaching abilities?

If we're looking for Saints personnel to fill assistant's roles how about ANdrew Thompson for midfield. Granted he would need to step down from teh Board (what does he do on the Board anyway?) and he seems cluey enough to understand what is needed in terms of the midfield in today's modern game?

I've been super impressed with Buckley's media appearances this year. He is much more insightful and knowledgable thatn I gave him credit for - shouldn't have judged him just beecause he played for the Filth, and I reckon he would be a brilliant midfield coach (if he could be attained). Yes he has media roles that obviously pay a handsome salaray but other assistant coaches seem able to juggle media appearances with assistant coaching.

Have also been impressed with Daniel Harford on SEN. Yes he comes across as a bit of a larrikin on Radio (i think that is a role he is asked to play) but every now and then he says something that makes you sit up and think that this guy knows what he's talking about.

Scott Burns seemed very impressive and I think we proably missed out on someone really good because Rock chose to leave a week too late for us.

[SENsei]

Funny you should mention Harford. Nearly typed his name in.

Just didn't see him as a good fit with super serious Ross.


It's all supposition though as we don't know the inner workings, the qualifications or communication skills of most.

And more importantly, we don't know who Ross would want to work with.

Or who would want to work with Ross!!

[JeffDunne]

Stewart Loewe?? So long as he doesn't teach them how to kick for goal.

Actually I think he'd be the ideal person to teach that skill.

Would love to see the big bloke back but he's probably been out of the AFL a bit too long.

[JeffDunne]

Or who would want to work with Ross!!

One of the advantages I saw with hiring a bloke like Ross was that with his experience he must have worked with a fair % of the blokes currently working in AFL coaching circles.

Maybe that could be a disadvantage?

[SENsei]

Or who would want to work with Ross!!

One of the advantages I saw with hiring a bloke like Ross was that with his experience he must have worked with a fair % of the blokes currently working in AFL coaching circles.

Maybe that could be a disadvantage?

It could work both ways I would think!

Roos can't speak highly enough of him. Wonder what Rocky or JB would have to say about now?

Not that it's a bad thing, by the way. If he's a hard taskmaster, then I think that's fantastic.

Single minded. Driven. Focussed. Agro. All good things to have in a senior coach.

[ausfatcat]

Would love Rehn but I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't really wants to coach at AFL level as you would think with his coaching record he would have a job already

[rexy]

Wakelin to backline coach, SOS to forward line.

[FraserGehrig]

shoulda got Harves to take over yet to see something he cant do

[Enrico_Misso]

Would love to see a Saints man back.

Hamill in particular.
If he could instil some of the passion he played with that would be great.
A natural leader.
Just the guy to make a passionate 3/4 time address !

Not Scott West.
Great player but that is no guarantee that he can coach.
Also suffers from depression which could impact his performance as a leader.

[golden hawk]

THANK YOU FOR GIVING SMILEY BACK TO US I LOVE THIS GUY HE IS TOTALLY AWESOME

[plugger66]

Would love to see a Saints man back.

Hamill in particular.
If he could instil some of the passion he played with that would be great.
A natural leader.
Just the guy to make a passionate 3/4 time address !

Not Scott West.
Great player but that is no guarantee that he can coach.
Also suffers from depression which could impact his performance as a leader.

So West may not be able to coach but sammy can. And whats this depression? Get the best assistants and if they have nothing to do with the Saints previously who cares.

[WayneJudson42]

Would love to see a Saints man back.

Hamill in particular.
If he could instil some of the passion he played with that would be great.
A natural leader.
Just the guy to make a passionate 3/4 time address !

Not Scott West.
Great player but that is no guarantee that he can coach.
Also suffers from depression which could impact his performance as a leader.

So West may not be able to coach but sammy can. And whats this depression? Get the best assistants and if they have nothing to do with the Saints previously who cares.

Seriously P66, you are clueless when it comes to coaching matters... or fotty matters.

Anyone who's played for the Saints automatically means they can coach, and will bring passion to the team.

What about Martin Pike?

[Saints Premiers 2008]

Would love to see a Saints man back.

Hamill in particular.
If he could instil some of the passion he played with that would be great.
A natural leader.
Just the guy to make a passionate 3/4 time address !

Not Scott West.
Great player but that is no guarantee that he can coach.
Also suffers from depression which could impact his performance as a leader.

So West may not be able to coach but sammy can. And whats this depression? Get the best assistants and if they have nothing to do with the Saints previously who cares.

Seriously P66, you are clueless when it comes to coaching matters... or fotty matters.

Anyone who's played for the Saints automatically means they can coach, and will bring passion to the team.

What about Martin Pike?

including trent knobel