1. Paul Green. The mind and trials of an elite sporting coach are complex. The loss this week is awful - as it is in society where young people and older see hopelessness and pain, not opportunity and optimism. The coach is in the public eye, yearning for success, yet is powerless to influence a team in many ways. It is a frustrating journey in the spotlight of the media and public.
The cranky or emotion charged coach is often the one in the firing line (eg. Michael Maguire, Trent Barrett, Ricky Stuart), but quieter blokes have deliberately taken a step back (eg. Nathan Brown) in recent times. Others have gone quietly...Brian Smith, John Cartwright, Rick Stone, Garth Brennan, John Morris, Dean Pay, Ivan Henjak... to where?
Green could play the game well (Rothmans Medal winner in 1995) and coach (2015 Cowboys premiership), but look at some of the greats who have been hesitant in this coaching space: Peter Sterling, Darren Lockyer, Andrew Johns. These blokes may assist here and there, but they realise they can sit in a warm commentary box and in the end not really be troubled by the outcome of a game. They travel and they chat. Great life. Flanagan looks comfortable there - as did Matt Elliott once upon a time. Vautin dabbled, Fittler dabbles... Gus constantly avoided a return to the fray and the "grandfather coach" has emerged as a better position for many too.
One bloke who looks lost and terrible physically at present is Adam O'Brien (Newcastle). He sounds terrible at press conferences and needs media training. Even Mick Potter's golden run came unstuck this weekend.
Potter is another 'quiet' coach who has given way now to Cameron Ciraldo on a five year deal - huge. Hopefully Potter continues as an Assistant Coach, like Ciraldo was for Anthony Griffin at Penrith. Ciraldo was also apparently a finalist in the 'Sexiest Man in League' contest back in 2006 (doubt that contest will return again) and played for three clubs - Cronulla, Newcastle and Penrith. I recall he broke his leg badly one night all those years ago.
The coaching fraternity does look after each other (Steve Kearney with Storm, Paul McGregor with Fittler, Anthony Seibold with Eddie Jones in UK Rugby, Jason Taylor to the Roosters), but Paul Green's situation has been a big reminder of the well being and safety of the individual in the world at present. Not sure how the EPL managers cope, they send them packing after five rounds!
The player taking a mental break from the game is a popular one these days: Meg Lanning, Naomi Osaka, Michael Hooper - and even early shock retirements (Ash Barty). How many coaches take a mental health break? Ricky Stuart won't regret having a week away. The world is shifting.
2. NRL. With three rounds to go, two teams surging ahead at present are Souths and the Roosters. Both look the goods for a premiership tilt... and of course the Storm. Shut out scorelines are desperately hard to achieve and the Storm v Panthers (16-0) and Souths v Eels (26-0) were incredible efforts really so late in the season. The Eels are still a 50% win team, so with Bulldogs, Broncos, Storm remaining in the year, it will be interesting to see who they beat. So inconsistent and so disappointing really.
The Roosters will not finish eighth that is for sure. Three rounds to go and Manly have bitten the dust with the Titans crushing them. Tom Trobjevic has again proven to to be the lynch pin at Manly. The Raiders have the Knights, Manly and Tigers so could sneak into the final eight. Of nine teams in contention, one misses...Eels? Broncos? Raiders?
3. AFL. The Melbourne v Carlton game on Saturday night was one of the best for a long while. The work of 'Kossie' Pickett at the end was electrifying to win it with 12 seconds left. It is a congested leading pack in the premiership at present - Geelong will be minor premiers, then Swans-Brisbane-Melbourne-Collingwood. Buddy has hosed down speculation too in a very classy and emphatic press appearance.
The Swans have really bounced back in the past month. Six straight now. The carrot for Collingwood in their clash today was outright second place and a home final....a top four position for the Swans too beckoned with a better % result than Collingwood. In the end a crushing Sydney win at home and a win v St Kilda next week gets them a top two finish. A huge win today really. Melbourne v Brisbane on Friday night now looms as a must win for both teams. Very exciting times!
Longmire is a sensational coach (62.02% win record as coach of one club). Unbelievable record really - and Chris Scott (Geelong too - 68.97%). The tenure of AFL coaches interestingly, is a lot longer as a general rule than most sports. Patience and time to achieve glory.
4. Manchester United. This team is a shell of its former self. The golden era has gone, but clearly they need a new direction after a 4-0 loss to the might of Brentford. The woes of Everton continue too...2-1 losers to Aston Villa.
5. Rudi Koertzen, the former ICC umpire has passed away. His 'finger of death' that did the slow rise after an appeal was his trademark. A sad loss.
6. Ian Chappell. Apparently fading away from the commentary box after all these years with poor health impacting, yet he is still swinging about Steve Waugh, Ian Botham and many others. Chappelli has always appeared cranky and intense for a bloke with great cricketing nous. His playing (75 tests at 42.42, 14 tons) and captaincy record (30 tests 15 wins, 5 losses, 10 draws - becoming 49 tests with WSC thrown in and 19 wins, 14 losses, 16 draws) is not as flash as many other cricketers. Was he gracious and accepting of the feats of others? Undoubtedly however, if he backed you in, you were always on the high ground of Australian cricket eg. Shane Warne, Michael Clarke.
7. Cameron Smith - St Jude Championship. He is surging at the St Jude (two off the lead into the last round) and on top of his game right now. The LIV Tour is being neutralised as a menace with every signing. The 'fear of missing out' is descending on many more of the elite golfers, regardless of the cost, price or impact. There is no world wide rule that one tour can operate only. Player reputations took a hit with World Series Cricket and Super League, but no one really cares now.
8. Wallabies. They can really disappoint at times. Nothing like losing to Argentina 48-17. Humiliating really.
No comments:
Post a Comment