Mick Malthouse talks to his team at 1/4 time during the AFL Round 03 match between St Kilda Saints and the Collingwood Magpies at Etihad Stadium, Melbourne. Slattery Images
The AFL occupies the mantle of Australia’s biggest, richest and most powerful sporting competition. Within that, Collingwood is by far its biggest franchise.
They are rich beyond what even seems possible at almost every other club.
They have more sponsors than they know what to do with, more money and a membership of around 75,000. Staggering.
It stands to reason that they also have in their employ, the games best coach, Mick Malthouse. He is a three time premiership coach who many believe in only 13 weeks time will have a fourth flag to add to his incredible list of achievements.
That said, imagine this. Next year, in an 18 team competition, Mick Malthouse will not be coaching. That is, if the current deal struck between him, the club and Nathan Buckley two years ago remains in tact.
The hardest part of what is fast becoming a saga, is understanding what is driving this arrangement.
On SEN radio this week, Collingwood captain Nick Maxwell gave his thoughts when asked how the playing group viewed the situation:
“This is a deal that was done two years ago and it was done in the best interests of the Collingwood Football Club,” Maxwell said.
He was spot on. When Eddie McGuire and Gary Pert orchestrated this deal with Malthouse and Buckley it was certainly in everyone’s best interest – then.
But that doesn’t mean it is in everyones best interest now. None of them could predict that Malthouse would lead the Pies to a flag the following year and they certainly weren’t thinking that back to back flags were a legitimate possibility.
But whether Collingwood win a second flag under Malthouse this year is now irrelevant. The fact is he remains the best and most experienced coach in the business and in three months time, Nathan Buckley will say thank you very much, the job is mine.
It’s no secret that Eddie McGuire wants Buckley. He would lose too many nights sleep if he knew there was a possibility of Buck’s coaching elsewhere and simply will not let that happen.
It seems that McGuire has allowed his friendship and loyalty to Buckley to cloud his judgement as to what is actually best for the footy club.
The five year deals signed by Malthouse and Buckley remains in force with all parties towing the company line and admitting all are satisfied with the arrangement. Except Malthouse.
He has stated several times that unless his role for next season is not only clearly defined but in keeping with his standing in the game, he will exercise the option in his contract and move on.
This would not only be a shame but an embarrassment for Collingwood and McGuire.
Nathan Buckley has already said that under his watch, he foresees changes in tactics, strategies and game plan.
Considering this team is the reigning premier – possibly back to back – and the benchmark in every area of the game, perhaps it would have paid for Buck’s to keep that to himself for a while longer.
I’m sure Mick would have loved to hear that from his soon to be replacement.
As understandable as it is for McGuire to harbour fantasies about Buckley being in charge, he shouldn’t go through with what is now an inappropriate arrangement just because it was signed off by all parties nearly two season’s ago.
For a club like Collingwood, who leads the pack in every measurable aspect of the game, to allow a potentially four time premiership coach to walk out the door and coach somewhere else would be ludicrous.
It seems Collingwood have painted themselves into a corner. If the Pies win the flag, how on earth could you let Malthouse relinquish his role to Buckley or anyone else for that matter?
With seven coaches coming out of contract at the end of the year, you can bet your life there will be no shortage of offers for Malthouse. If he decides he’s not done as a senior coach, he will almost certainly be free to write his own cheque.
Already Buckley is uncomfortable having Malthouse around. Next year when in charge, it will be almost untenable.
It’s not too late Ed. I’m sure Bucks can wait another year – can you?
Mr Man
Guest
It leaves Buckley open. If Buckley coaches next year and CW dont win the premiership in 2012, then everyone will be blaming him and his ego (assuming CW win in 2011). I wouldnt be surprised that if CW wins the 2011 premiership, Buckley will immediately come out and say he is prepared to wait another 12 months and "invite" Malthouse to stay on. If he doesn't he'll leave himself under immense pressure.
Richard
Roar Guru
No I disagree with you on that. Mick should stay. CFC is at the top of it's game, thanks to Mick and others. He should stay and enjoy his success and build a new dynasty.
Richard
Roar Guru
Well let's see now. In recent weeks Eddie Maguire and Gary Pert have confirmed that Mick is staying. So has Nick Maxwell. Nathan Buckley on "Footy Classified" said Mick is staying. Hey, even Mick has said he is staying. Just yesterday Mick's manager said Mick is staying at Collingwood. But Bazza, you obviously know something those guys don't . I bow to your superior wisdom. Where's he going? Carlton?
sheek
Guest
While I don't claim to be an expert in AFL affairs, common sense would tell me that if Nathan Buckley is taking over the head coaching position at Collingwood in 2012, then Mick Malthouse should well & truly move on. I say this irrespective of how good the personal relationship between Malthouse & Buckley is, or may be. Buckley is entitled to take the reins at Collingwood without Malthouse looking over his shoulder, irrespective of how 'benevolent' this might be. Malthouse should also understand this, leave the club & go somewhere else where he might benefit the game of Australian football.
Bazza
Guest
Richard you have a right to an opinion but you are a Collingwood fan so of course you think it will all be rosy. Mick won't be there next year.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
AFL media watch - remains a red hot topic: http://www.afl.com.au/tabid/208/default.aspx?newsid=118191&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
David Cartwright
Guest
There is another angle on Collingwood's success that you might consider .... True, he has not been in the limelight, but perhaps Collingwood's recent success has much to owe to Nathan Buckley's unglamorous, but essential role behind the scenes. You have attributed all the success to Mick Malthouse's coaching, and there is no question he has great strengths. But Nathan Buckley has brought another dimension to the team that you have not acknowledged. Perhaps it has been that extra dimension that has made all the difference for the team during the last two seasons.
Richard
Roar Guru
I think you are seeing what you want to see Grant. It sure is news to me that "there is no love lost between the two" and from what I've seen and heard, Buckley has consistently re-affirmed how much he respects and admires Malthouse. And vice versa. But then we all know that the world is split into two groups, those who love Collingwood and those who hate it. The latter search desperately for some bad news about CFC in every scrap of waste matter they can find. (And if they can't find anything, they make it up). AFL these days is big business and the days when the success of a club rests entirely on the shoulders of the coach are over, i.e. if the club wants to succeed. The approach CFC is taking, if new to AFL, is the common approach in the corporate world and will be the new paradigm for AFL clubs of the future. There are other clubs which understand this but I think they are still in the minority. This won't last, as the success at CFC becomes apparent and others try to emulate it. Prepare to apologise. Anyway, I'm off to the big game. Go 'Pies!
Richard we don't need the photograph to know where your allegiance lies but, with no disrespect intended, please do not be naive. I really don't know why Mick signed this contract but it is obvious why Collingwood offered it. Eddie gets his favourite son into the coaching position and Malthouse is kept off of the coaching market. It is no secret that there is no love lost between the two and Buckley saying that he is going to change the way things are done on the field was not only stupid, but disrespectful to Mick. Now you may be right and I may be wrong and if that turns out to be the case then I will apologize but I sincerely doubt Mick will hang around in the shadows of a club he took to the premiership (quite probably more than once).
Richard
Roar Guru
You're article merely parrots what's been said and written by many others ever since the deal was done. What you, and they, don't understand is that the deal that Collingwood has done with Malthouse honours both Malthouse and Buckley. It recognises Mick's incredible coaching ability, but more importantly it recognises his management and leadership skills, his strategic and tactical skills, and his potential contribution at a much higher level. It puts in place the mechanism where that can be secured for CFC going forward. And it seamlessly enables the transition to the future in the form of Buckley as coach. Malthouse will stay at Collingwood because the role he has been offered rewards and recognises him more than any mere coaching job would do. And my prediction is that it will work very well, will set up CFC for a long period of stability and success, and become the model that other clubs seeking lasting success will follow.
Bazza
Guest
Agree but apart from that, shouldn't Buckley earn the right to coach? Or does he get an arm chair ride just because Eddie adores him. They have the coach every other club wants so what do we do? Hand it to Buckley. It's crazy and it will cost them.
Parcel
Guest
I agree - shouldn't this be about what's best for the Club NOW? Succession plans are great but if circumstances have changed then Eddie and his Board need to review and adjust those plans.
sheek
Guest
No doubt part of Nathan Buckley's possible frustration, would be to win a premiership (which he missed as a player/captain) while this current playing group remains "red-hot".
The Cattery
Roar Guru
It might seem unusual, but the deal was done. It's very tough staying on top for long periods of time - it might be viewed as a perfect time for Malthouse to hand over to Buckley.
Swampy
Guest
I'm pretty sure Buckley won't wait another year - which is exactly why Collingwood have their succession plan. Malthouse might be the best coach right now but will he be in two, three years time? Look what happened with Sheedy after 2000. While I despise the Pies there is solid logic in what they are doing. It's not like their list will evaporate next season. Not to mention, who knows how much input Buckley already has behind the scenes. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.