By Paddy Higgs
May 15th 2009 @ 6:51am
Related coverage
Wallace will battle on under media spotlight
Richmond coach Terry Wallace looks on during a Richmond training session at Punt Road Oval, Melbourne. Slattery Images
It’s a harsh spotlight that belongs to any high-profile sport. And it’s one that – once again – has been levelled at Richmond coach Terry Wallace this week.
Just over two weeks after leading his Tigers to their first win of the season, the blowtorch was again turned to Wallace by the media.
‘Richmond can’t go on like this’, the Herald Sun’s Mike Sheahan stated on Monday.
‘Tigers set to sack Wallace’, revealed The Age’s Caroline Wilson the following day.
But the most ignominious of them all had occurred earlier that morning.
Halfway through a review of the Tigers’ loss to Brisbane on Saturday, he was door-stopped outside the club by Channel 9 reporter Justin Rodski and asked if “he had lost the passion” for the job.
Wallace bit back angrily to the question, and later notified the AFL Coaches’ Association of his displeasure.
On Thursday, in an interview with 3AW’s Dwayne Russell, Gerard Healy and Sheahan, Wallace went in to face the storm head on.
Sheahan asked him if he thought the club’s best interests were by having Wallace stay on.
Unsurprisingly, Wallace said he did. Nor did he accept it was his last year as a coach when questioned by Healy. He also fended off questions over his draft selections and current squad.
The Tigers’ hierarchy are reportedly meeting next Tuesday to discuss Wallace’s future and that of the football department.
That the club is battling for four-quarter form goes without saying. But is the part the media seems to be playing in Wallace’s future at the club becoming obscene?
Some would argue that the interest of the public is there, and therefore the media must report. Others would counter that the media fuel the public’s interest.
It’s that old chicken-egg theory that can never be settled.
In the final question of the interview, Wallace was asked by Sheahan whether he thought he’d be coaching come Round 22.
“Yes, I do,” was his reply, adding that he would “do what’s right for Richmond” if he had lost the club or the playing group’s confidence.
Many would be surprised if Wallace did last the distance.
But if the Tigers are to dispose of their coach before season’s end, Wallace will at least depart with his dignity intact.
Get Australia's best AFL opinion emailed daily.
Like this content? Buzz it up!
Free Email updates:
Our daily emails are only sent if there is content for the sport or that author. You can subscribe to multiple daily emails; or get the daily Roar email with all our content in it. We value privacy. More...
(4)
were we trying to bully union to death when they were boring people to death ( ok stop now ifs sokka’s so boring why is it so...
Pippinu said | May 15th 2009 @ 11:43am | Report comment
Paddy
given that Wallace has now survived almost six seasons – one would have to conclude that the spotlight hasn’t really been shone on Wallace all that much – otherwise he would have gone long, long ago.
Wug said | May 15th 2009 @ 12:14pm | Report comment
One wonders why Wallace gets so much publicity about poor results when it can be argued that Collingwood with their better playing list and their “super coach” are also struggling.
matta said | May 15th 2009 @ 12:25pm | Report comment
Paddy, the guy and his team are under performing and what…the world aren’t allowed to talk about it or ask him questions?
Pete said | May 19th 2009 @ 6:11pm | Report comment
Paddy, I think his time is up. Richmond have always wanted the quick fix, one that would see them go back their glory days of the 70’s & 80’s, With the exception of a few like Deledio, they have taken hacks and never wazzers or has beens. Carlton did it even prior to losing draft picks through Elliot’s efforts. The teams that have built up on a mixture of youth , experience and early draft picks are showing the Richmond’s of the comp how to do it. Obviously Geelong, ,now Carlton , Stkilda , Hawthorn and probably the success story of the year , Essendon have been patient and built up the makings of a Premiership winning list. However, when wallace does go he should take his recruiting officer(s) with him