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Essendon chairman David Evans could’ve simply backed Matthew Knights when asked about his coach’s future at Windy Hill yesterday. Instead, Evans spoke about end-of-year reviews and failed to guarantee Knights would be at Essendon next year.
Following five straight losses the pressure is on Knights – who took over at Essendon in 2008 and is contracted with the club until 2012.
The latest defeat, a disappointing 19-point defeat to 11th-placed Melbourne hardly helped his cause. The final result was kind to Essendon too, as they trailed by as much as 51 points in the last quarter before some junk time goals.
Essendon’s poor run, which has them sitting 13th on the ladder, has left plenty of Bombers fans dissatisfied.
An immediate dismissal isn’t going to happen, though, but combining supporter dissatisfaction with Evans’ comments, it seems Knights’ future at Windy Hill beyond this year is a tad murky.
Indeed, Knights appeared to be feeling the strain on Sunday when he eyeballed the umpires at three-quarter time following a string of 50m penalties against his side, when he probably should’ve been addressing his players.
Then again, Knights came out at yesterday’s press conference claiming he ‘relishes the pressure’.
“I welcome the pressure and welcome the responsibility,” he said. “We’re on a strong vision and we’re going to keep guiding that course and that’s what my role is to do.
“We’re on a bumpy part of that journey but the reality is where it all ends up. We’re not going to steer off that vision.”
But Evans’ comments suggest there’s a possibility they may do just that.
Maybe too much can be read into Evans’ remarks, but it was curious to hear Knights talking about a ‘united’ five-year plan at Essendon in the wake of the chairman’s comments.
“To win a premiership you’ve got to open up a period of sustained effort,” Knights said. “Everyone – the players, the staff – is committed and united to do that and that’s what gives me great confidence.”
Indeed, this is an important point. The Bombers need to stick to the plan.
There’s been some suggestion Essendon could get club-great James Hird to take the reigns at Windy Hill, but he’s unqualified and seems unwilling to move into coaching.
If they removed Knights, realistically the Bombers only other alternative would be to start again with a new coach and a new approach.
That’s a big risk to take based on a few weeks of disappointing footy, especially considering Knights took the Bombers to the finals last season, which is what prompted Essendon to genuinely believe in his vision and approach, and extend his contract in the first place in September last year.
Following that finals appearance, expectations at Windy Hill were lifted for 2010 and perhaps this has been responsible for the pressure thrust onto Knights this year as they appear to have gone backwards, especially following their recent run. But judgement shouldn’t be clouded by recent results.
We shouldn’t forget experienced forward duo Scott Lucas and Matthew Lloyd retired after last year, while the Bombers were looking okay at 5-5 midway through this season after wins over finals-bound St Kilda, Hawthorn, Carlton and the Western Bulldogs, until the loss of key trio David Hille, Dustin Fletcher and Angus Monfries.
“We probably haven’t got the depth to cover when three or four of our better players come out of the team,” Knights said. Indeed, there’s no doubt losing several top echelon players will hurt any side, especially a young side who are still developing and learning.
Knights has aggressively promoted youth and blooded youngsters. They’ve done well at times, but at other times – such as in the past five weeks – they’ve struggled to perform.
The more games he gets into these youngsters under his system and approach – such as Scott Gumbleton, David Zaharakis, Michael Hurley, Leroy Jetta etc – the better off they’ll be in the long-run as they learn to become more consistent players.
The results, as is always the case with youngsters, won’t come instantly and patience is required.
Speaking about his vision, Knights said: “It’s all moving forward nicely, all but the win-loss at this point in time.” It was an amusing comment, especially as results are usually everything for coaches.
Knights, though, loves to talk about the long-term and he uses two examples of fellow coaches who rode out the tough times before claiming the ultimate glory.
He said about his vision: “It’s building a group from scratch two and a half years ago, re-generating the whole list, giving youth opportunities to come in and mix with your experience.
“Alistair Clarkson and Mark Thompson went through very tumultuous periods as coaches, as did their programs. The last two (three) premierships have been won by Hawthorn and Geelong. So as I said, I absorb the pressure, I welcome it, I go about my business.”
Some may criticise Knights’ approach or style, but that was part of the vision Essendon agreed to.
They can do their review, but right now or at the end of the year, the Bombers’ best option is sticking to the plan.
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