Extract from secret tapes inside an AFL team’s coaches’ meeting: Forward Coach: We’ve got to do something about the inside 50s differential. Midfield Coach: Yep. We’ve run that through our processes. We’re going to increase the rotations of mids and smalls through the front half. Forward Coach: That’s fine but will the smalls know how [Read more]
Thumbs up to Hird
October 7, 2010 by 2 Comments
Some 7 or 8 weeks ago during the Knight’s saga I had a dream/idea, Sir James Hird would take over the reins at The Dons with Bomber Thompson as his co-coach. When I mentioned this to some of my mates they dismissed the idea as the disillusioned rantings of a tragic Don. As if Hird [Read more]
Hird it through the grapevine
September 28, 2010 by 11 Comments
Matthew Knights is now a distant memory. James Hird is not a naughty boy but, apparently, the Messiah for the Bombers. And it sounds like he is assembling a support cast of thousands. The Almanac would love to hear your thoughts on this matter. Almanac Admin
Tribute to Roosy
September 1, 2010 by 6 Comments
by Steve Fahey I know it’s an un-Collingwood and un-Floreat Pican thing to do, but I want to pay tribute to one of the greats of our game, who is fast approaching his swansong (pun intended). I first came across Paul Roos in 1979. He was wearing number 19 for the fashionably named Beverly [Read more]
Footy Talk: PT Barnum and Kevin Sheedy plan to put on a show
November 30, 2009 by 1 Comment
By John Butler Setting: PT Barnum: legendary showman and entrepreneur, founder of Ringling Bros Barnum & Bailey’s Circus and famous for pulling hoaxes and working freak shows. Often attributed the quote “there’s a sucker born every minute.” It’s a surprise he hasn’t worked for the AFL before now. Kevin Sheedy: really needs no introduction. With [Read more]
Footy Talk: Mick Malthouse and Sun Tzu talk tactics (mostly off-field)
November 26, 2009 by 2 Comments
By John Butler Setting: Sun Tzu: ancient Chinese warrior general, author of the Art of War and in many ways the original Director of Coaching. Michael Malthouse: as we all know, is soon to be Collingwood Director of Coaching. In his never-ending quest to bring world’s best practice to the Lexus Centre, President Ed has [Read more]
Is poor player management the reason why players get a premature exit?
November 17, 2009 by 7 Comments
by Clint Youlden I met this AFL footballer (let’s call him Player X) through a friend of mine, Tavis Perry. Tavis has long been involved with me, and my training innovations, for the past 5 years and encouraged this player to seek out my expertise in speed and coordination training. Tav floated the idea to [Read more]
The Richmond Question: What are you afraid of Caro?
July 9, 2009 by 3 Comments
By Andrew Gigacz Caroline Wilson’s call for Kevin Sheedy to remove himself from the running for the Richmond coaching job (The Age, 8th July, 2009) highlights a number of issues. Firstly, Wilson suggests that Sheedy’s decision to put his hand up for the job is potentially divisive to the club. If that is so, [Read more]
Coach speculation: On Mark Williams
June 11, 2009 by Leave a Comment
John Kingsmill One of the curious aspects of the Port Adelaide/Mark Williams engagement is that the more victories Power stacks up this year, the harder it will be for Port to afford to retain him. If, for example, the Alberton waters split asunder and Power wins the 2009 premiership, suddenly Williams will [Read more]
General footy writing: New coach: Grounds for change on tackle rule
May 19, 2009 by 1 Comment
By Andrew Fithall Crikey, the grounds are hard. In Round 1 a Williamstown Juniors under-16Ds player hit the turf and broke his arm. The ground hasn’t got any softer since then. It is Tuesday afternoon. I am at home when I should be at work. I am on carer’s leave. Bill is on a nearby [Read more]
Believing in the Impossible
April 28, 2009 by 9 Comments
by Tony Wilson Shaun Dockery only ever gave one truly great three-quarter time address, but that’s not bad for someone who’s never actually coached. The match was Hawthorn versus North Melbourne at Arden Street, and if the year had have been 1976, this story might have been coloured with screaming fans, traditional rivalry and searching [Read more]
Benched Coach
April 27, 2009 by Leave a Comment
by Andrew Fithall I didn’t have a good week this week. The Williamstown Juniors Under 16 Ds played Wyndhamvale at their ground and had a solid win. But I didn’t coach. There were a number of reasons for that. But, for the moment, let’s go back to Wyndhamvale. Wyndham was in the news a bit [Read more]
Coaching Dilemma
March 31, 2009 by Leave a Comment
The telephone number flashed up on the screen and I recognised it immediately. Mark Hunter is an ex- Bulldogs player – 130 senior games. And he has demonstrated over the past few years that he is also a very good junior coach. His boy Lachlan and my son Bill share a year of birth and [Read more]
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