Having just returned from tonight’s sell-out Force Vs Crusaders match, there are a few things that stick in my mind very clearly.
It will be very hard to sack John Mitchell, not only because his pay out would be huge, but whatever the truth is that lies behind all the rumours, he is immensely popular here in Perth.
Prior to kick off, a light plane flew overhead trailing a message ‘THE MEMBERS SUPPORT MITCH’. Who paid for it, I don’t know. But it wouldn’t exactly be cheap.
It was clearly an unofficial reminder to the powers that be that despite their own popularity, the players will not be allowed to run the club. It is rare to find a supporter group who identify with the coach ahead of the playing group, but then some of the players have let the team down badly in the recent past.
Many spectators were also wearing specially created black singlets with white writing saying: ‘We support Mitch’.
The question for the board is to risk losing marquee players by sticking with Mitchell or risk alienating the membership base by removing him.
It’s a lose-lose situation.
Aside from that thorny issue, a full house and a party atmosphere at a ramshackle old ground proved to be a massive improvement on Subiaco Oval. The future lies here, and if they can’t make the move in the next few years, the Force will go under.
Subi is killing them.
Finally, they may have a different coach, but the Crusaders will be up there again. Their ability to maintain possession for long periods, clean out the ruck with clinical efficiency and speed, and their support play are superb.
The Force were super in defence and their fitness looks good, but they couldn’t match the Kiwis’ ability to make the ball work for them. The more things change, the more they stay the same!
allblackfan
Guest
Ben Castle's signing for the Force is also sending another message: Australia can't support another Super team
Joe
Guest
The 04 Brumbies outfit essentially coached themselves - and Nucifora got what he deserved. Regardless of results since then you'll struggle to find anybody in Canberra who thinks it was the wrong decision.
LeftArmSpinner
Guest
down with player power, in almost all cases. Worst news is that the crusaders probabaly wont miss Deans and Carter more than and a few seconds. And here was I hoping that it would open things up for the other s14 teams and in particular, the Tahs.
Ids
Guest
It was a great atmosphere on Friday night. To have 18 000 at Members Equity for a trial game without the majorAll Black/Wallaby players taking part was astounding. Many teams would be happy with that figure during the competition! It sends a message that a rectangular ground is needed and wanted. It sends a message that the support for Rugby in WA remains strong despite another off-season of bad publicity. The Rugby fraternity (administrators, media, players and supporters) should take advantage of the unique and rabid support in this pocket of Australia.
Guy Smiley
Guest
Thanks Gerry - all up it's hard to figure out just where everything is at and what is the real story. Mitchell went on the record a few months ago that he and his family love it here and he would like to settle here eventually - he made specific mention of not wanting to relocate his kids again. I guess we'll see how true that is soon enough. Just on the Crusaders again and Kiwi teams in general why can't Australian teams (or any others for that matter) learn how to play rucks like them? First there, in like mad dogs but the crucial thing is they don't waste men by overcommitting them - usually it takes 3 guys to do the required work - getting there before the other team means you don't need a lot of manpower to get the ball out quickly. I heard on Fox News that the move to Members Equity for season 2010 is a done deal - has anyone else heard this?
Gerry
Guest
It was intersting to watch also a fan near the player bench with a sign saying "I support JM" After the game 19 players signed that sign for the fan. As well as having numerous photos with her and many others around the ground. A great night in a proper rectangular stadium.
Abe
Guest
Well one player revolt sent one stupid coach to the Auckland blues who never won a S14 title under his directions. No wonder the Brumbies wanted him out.Nucifora took over a team of players that were well drilled and uncoachable.They were perfect until he brought his stupid ideas into the mix of things
MikeM
Guest
Why not say that it was player power which secured the Brumbies their Super 14 victory despite the breakdown of their relationship with the coach? That seems a more accurate description of what happened. If things are so bad that players rebel against a coach or manager, why draw the lesson that "If an administration allows player power to make the decisions, the organisation is finished"?
Spiro Zavos
Expert
Look where player power, after the Super 14 victory got the ACT Brumbies - nowhere. If an administration allows player power to make the decisions, the organisation is finished. This is not to say that John Mitchell has not questions to answer about his coaching tenure at the Western Force. All will be reviewed presumably with the judicial review. It will be interesting to see if the culture of the Crusaders survives the coach (Robbie Deans) who created the culture to a great extent. Judging by this report, the signs look promising for Todd Blackadder and Mark Hammett, the new coaching duo. They are fortunate that the are inheriting a club that won the Super 14 and the NZ provincial championships.
Exile
Guest
I could say I told you so, but I wont - I am looking forward as to how Remy spins this one - perhaps the cult is 18000 members strong or perhaps the primary reason as to why the membership of the Western Force dropped over the last 3 years is that Subiaco is a crap ground for watching Rugby. Sure the Western Force have had their dramas - the Supporters dont care - they love their Rugby and they love their team.
Harry
Guest
Thanks for an interesting report Guy. Good for the Force to get a go against the benchmark. The fans are right to be wary and good to see support for the Coach. The Brumbies deteriorated into mediocrity when player power (with dubious motives) was allowed to go unchecked after the 04 win.