Richmond Coach Terry Wallace leaves the three quarter time huddle during the AFL Round 04 match between the Richmond Tigers and the Melbourne Demons at the MCG. Slattery Images
According to Craig Hutchison on last night’s Victorian Footy Show, the drama at Richmond Football Club this week owed as much to player power than anything.
Hutchison said a tirade by Richmond coach Terry Wallace – aimed in particular at forward Mitch Morton – had made such a poor impression on a number of the Tigers players that captain Chris Newman was compelled to approach his coach and ask for a resignation.
Wallace had allegedly told Morton that he had “cost him his job.”
Subsequent meetings between players, the club hierarchy and Wallace ended with the former Bulldog coach keeping his job at the Tigers.
But Hutchison’s revelation that a select part of the playing group – led by an eight-game captain – approached Wallace and requested he resign is simply amazing.
Is it a case of player power going too far? The move ultimately failed, unsurprisingly. Many a club board across all sports would readily take into account the feelings of its players, but few would allow the club’s future to be directly dictated by it in such a manner.
A look through history throws up a number of similar cases of players attempting to get their way, but with mixed results.
As recent as January this year, English cricket star Kevin Pietersen attempted to use his powers as captain to oust then-national team coach Peter Moores.
Pietersen got his wish, as Moores was sacked by the English Cricket Board. But Pietersen also suffered, despite perhaps believing his status as the side’s best player made him invulnerable.
He was wrong, and lost his job as captain the same day Moores lost his.
Not long after, and closer to home, Western Force’s coach John Mitchell was reportedly the victim of increased player power at the Super 14 club.
Allegedly, an overwhelming majority of players and staff signed a petition of complaint against Mitchell.
Mitchell is still there, perhaps lucky his lucrative contract had meant paying him out was simply not an option for the Force purse men.
So does player power work?
History shows us it occasionally does. But it also demonstrates that the bloodletting is not always limited to the intended target.
The hierarchy of the Richmond Football Club has not always proved to be the coolest under pressure and intense media scrutiny.
But it must be said that it handled the tumult earlier this week impeccably.
The players put on a united face following the meetings on Tuesday, though it remains to be seen if they are wholly appeased by the final result.
The failed mutiny – at this stage – has been bloodless. Only time will tell if it remains so.
Who’s in your ultimate team? Pick the best team and compete with other fans for daily prizes on Draftstars. For the best odds on the game try out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Think. Is this a bet you really want to place? Set a deposit limit.
The AFL has confirmed the right decision was made after a ball ricocheted off a boundary umpire's leg during the third quarter of Melbourne's…
A touching moment for the Demons star with Jacob Hopper.
There's an old saying that you should never argue with an idiot, because they'll drag you down to their level and then beat you…
Round 5 of the AFL provided plenty of action, from big scorelines to upset wins and pressure starting to build on some clubs and coaches already.
Brisbane forward Charlie Cameron has been handed a one-match suspension for a dangerous tackle on Jake Lever during the Lions' Thursday night win over…
Geelong has been crafty and creative in its list management and has quietly assembled a very exciting young group of midfielders and half-forwards.
