Time for Fremantle to appoint a WA coach
Roar Pro
By Jason Cave, 13 Jul 2009 The Crowd is a Roar Pro
- Tagged:
- AFL, Fremantle Dockers
Fremantle’s embarrassing performance against the Adelaide Crows on Saturday night underlines why the Dockers need to go for a local as coach of Fremantle instead of someone from outside WA.
Fremantle’s decision to go with Mark Harvey as coach several years ago instead of someone with a West Australian background like Peter Sumich, Tony Micale, John Todd might be something the Dockers would regret.
The Dockers played possibly the worst half of football in their history against the Crows in Adelaide, with the Dockers score at half time reading 0.1.(1) to Adelaide 10.9.(69).
If I was heading up the Fremantle Dockers, I’d certainly dismiss Harvey as coach and appoint John Todd as the new coach. I think the Dockers don’t respond well to a guy with a Victorian background.
Todd is a legend in WA football, having won the Sandover Medal (awarded to the best & fairest player in WAFL, then coached South Fremantle to a number of WAFL premierships, coached WA in State of Origin and also led the West Coast Eagles to the finals in only the second year in the Eagles history.
The Dockers list needs a major overhaul and Todd might be the man to oversee the pruning of the squad. The Dockers also needs some inspiration and a boost to their morale and Todd could provide it.
Otherwise, the Fremantle Dockers could end up being the joke of AFL football in WA for many years to come.
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Ben Somerford said | July 13th 2009 @ 2:44am | Report comment
Sorry Jason, I don’t understand how having a West Australian coach would make any difference.
Jim said | July 13th 2009 @ 10:06am | Report comment
Short memory? The club finished third a couple of years ago and tried to get another year out of the old squad but got clobbered by injuries and didn’t really have the right players anyway. They then went into cleanout and rebuild mode. It’s going to be a tough time playing a team of half newbies but that’s the way up. Building a top team is long term proposition and you have to build from the bottom. St Kilda, Geelong, Hawthorn, need I go on? Get over it.
The main thing Fremantle needs now is stability and a good program, plus a coach and board who are willing to stare down the two bob experts who think that changing this or that is a substitute for sustained effort.
Chop said | July 13th 2009 @ 10:17am | Report comment
I don’t think the coach will make any difference right now. I only hope they can get some decent players in the draft and build for 2-3 seasons time, by then there will be 2 more teams to finish under….
BigAl said | July 13th 2009 @ 11:18am | Report comment
No Jason ! – I’m sorry but the idea of appointing Todd as coach is even sillier than appointing Sheedy to Richmond.
The game has changed so much in recent times (and continues to change/evolve) it would be foolhardy to go back to the ‘stoneage’ with Todd – great champion & Western Australian though he was.
I’ d be looking at someone like Williams of Port Ad. – if he was available . . . i.e. a younger coach who has been involved with a successful team.
Having said all that, I think that was exactly Harvey’s background
beaver fever said | July 13th 2009 @ 10:32pm | Report comment
Nope stick with Harvey i think he will be a long term coach at the Dockers.
David said | July 14th 2009 @ 8:08pm | Report comment
Dockers are better off sticking to the plan. As poor a plan as it seems right now. Its there best option. def better than appointing John Todd!!?!