West Coast have been one of the AFL stories of the year and they wrote the latest chapter last Friday night when they defeated premiership contenders Geelong to confirm themselves as genuine top four challengers. Their story has got people scratching their heads asking how last year’s wooden spooners have come such a long way in such a short period of time.
A lot of us have our own theories on West Coast’s rapid rise, but it’s easy to forget this is the club who won the premiership only five years ago.
Of course, two of the club’s biggest names Ben Cousins and Chris Judd have moved on since the 2006 flag. But several key members of that premiership side remain at the club such as Dean Cox, Daniel Kerr, Darren Glass and Andrew Embley.
However, perhaps most pertinently 2006 premiership-winning coach John Worsfold is still at the helm. And premiership-winning coaches are pretty tough to find in the AFL nowadays.
It may come as a surprise to some that there’s only three premiership-winning coaches currently coaching an AFL club.
That’s an incredible fact but it just goes to show how undervalued proven success is in the AFL.
There’s been a tactical evolution in the game over the past decade, which I’d argue has seen clubs give up on seasoned coaches with a successful track record, for the new breed who can handle the changing nature of modern footy (Eddie Maguire’s Collingwood could be the latest to do just this).
Currently, there’s plenty of pressure on seasoned coaches Rodney Eade and Neil Craig at the Western Bulldogs and Adelaide respectively. Of course, neither has ever won an AFL premiership as a coach but they’ve led their respective sides through fairly successful eras.
Eade, who had a lot of success at Sydney including a Grand Final appearance in 1996, has guided the Dogs to three consecutive Preliminary Final appearances in the past three seasons, while last year was the first time Craig’s Crows – who he guided to the minor premiership in 2005 – have ever missed the finals.
Yes, they haven’t won the ultimate honour, but from their record it’s fair to say both know how to create a winning mentality and successful culture.
Okay, both aren’t enjoying their best periods as coaches right now, but given their record, you’ve got to back them to find the formula to take their respective sides back towards the top.
In this context it’s worth remembering, there were plenty of critics calling for Worsfold’s head last year. He wasn’t alone too, with suggestions the Eagles should trade Dean Cox, which seems absurd now.
Worsfold maintained throughout 2010 that the Eagles were building towards a premiership and despite that appearing to be a ridiculous claim, the club’s board backed him in.
It’s easy to forget, Worsfold began re-building after 2007 (following the departure of Cousins and Judd) with the club finishing in 15th with four wins in 2008 and 11th with eight wins in 2009. They appeared on the right track towards a premiership window at that stage, before an awful 2010 where they seemed to go backwards, winning just four games and finishing last.
Of course, sometimes things are beyond a coach’s control and injuries to key men Cox, Kerr, Glass and Embley in 2010 didn’t help. But with those players back and with Worsfold adopting a more modern gamestyle in 2011, things have changed suddenly for the Eagles.
Now they appear to be back on track with the plan they started in late 2007. It’s an example which should resonate with other clubs who may be weighing up their current coach’s future.
Coaches who can instill a winning mentality in a team aren’t easy to find.
amazonfan
Roar Guru
Melbourne last won a flag in 1964. They have made two GF appearances since in 1988 & 2000. I don't think it is fair to judge clubs solely on whether they win flags. Only one club can win a premiership every year, and that some clubs have not done so for many years, does not make them mediocre.
dave
Guest
who would be better than Rodney Eade? ex-footscray defender Mick malthouse of course. mm for dogs 2012 !! realistcally though, he'll prob do his job at collingwood in2012, then theyll admit its stupid ,he wants to coach again and go elsewhere in 2013. hopefully back to the dogs.
dave
Guest
when's the last time melbourne won a flag? in my life-time too, i only recall them making one GF appearance, although i ws born in 1982
dave
Guest
Never heard that term b4? hehe, funny that. Anyway all that talk bout Cox being traded, seems odd now. However looking longterm, Coxys probly got 2-3 yrs left. premiership window coming up for eagles you'd say, so yeh good call keeping hm.
amazonfan
Roar Guru
At least two of the clubs you mention can not be described as 'wallowing in mediocrity.' Port Adelaide made the finals 7 times in 9 years between 1999 and 2007 for 2 GFs and 1 flag. Yes, they haven't done well since 2007, however Collingwood failed to make the finals from 1995 to 2001, and in 1999 finished last. Essendon failed to make the finals from 2005 to 2008. Calrton finished out the top 8 from 2002-2008, collecting three wooden spoons. As for Melbourne, recently they made the finals 6 times in 9 years from 1998-2007, which included a GF, and are currently a game and % out of the top 8. They have some exciting times ahead of them. To say that Port Adelaide & Richmond are wallowing in mediocrity is simply ignorant. Oh, and Fremantle's culture is changing.
Gareth
Guest
some clubs are successful clubs , some aren't. that doesnt come down to luck. people like worsfold are the ones who instill a culture within a club. a culture of achieving goals and reaching the top, not wallowing in mediocrity such as fremantle, richmond, port adelaide or melbourne.
Gareth
Guest
Who would replace Neil Craig? Hasnt simon goodwin ruled himself out?!
Gareth
Guest
so 'keep the faith'
Lee McDonald
Roar Guru
I think the Worsfold plays a role in building and impressing that winning mentality/culture at the club. But I think he is just one cog in the the overall winning culture of the club. Something I wrote about here a couple of weeks back: http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/06/30/best-coast-eagles/
amazonfan
Roar Guru
Okay, thanks, I've just never heard that term before.
Rob McLean
Guest
Seano, are you saying they need to sign Eade because someone else might take him?
Seano
Guest
Neil Craig is gone! Simple, eade must stay if not someone else will sign him for sure!!! -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Subrasub
Roar Guru
i gotta say matt f is spot on. The experienced players play such a crucial role in developing the next batch of stars and thus you have to hold on to a few so that the transition becomes much smoother. I think west coasts youngsters have certainly stepped up in a big way as well which has aided the teams improvement. LeCras and Lynch have been great up forward and your sucklings,swifts,eberts,hams,schofields have been excellent in the middle along with experienced players like priddis and rosa. Eric Mckenzie and mitch brown are really learning their craft under glass and beau waters is providing some real grunt along with sam butler. With the best rock combo in the league with cox and nicnat theres a real nice spread. In saying that there older players wont be able to sustain this form forever so i dont think the rebuiilding phase has hit its climax and i reckon its a flase dawn.
brendan
Guest
I think it was Vince Lombardi that said give me a team of players in the last year of there contracts and i will give you a championship team.It is do or die for many at the Eagles and maybe that has motivated them.
Matt F
Guest
That sounds pretty much right. When the Hawks were rebuilding they kept the likes of Crawford and Vandenberg to give leadership and direction, the Dogs kept Johnson, Smith, West etc and the Saints kept Gehrig, Hammil, Harvey etc. The experience the young players gained from training and playing with these players would have been invaluable. It also forces the youngsters to raise their game and actually earn a spot in the 22 rather then be handed it on a platter which makes them appreciate the opportunity that much more. It will be interesting to see whether you can replace Richmond with Melbourne in the next few seasons.
BigAl
Guest
These players . . . Cox; Kerr; Embley; Glass... who have been in gradual ( and expected ) decline have all been putting together some stellar performances at the same time, of late. This combined effect can't continue for too much longer.
CraigB
Roar Guru
if you want to look at reasons for 'keep the faith' look no further than the queensland reds. Bottom 3 for 3 years running, financial basket case. 24 moths later superugby champions with a team of players most didn't rate 2 years ago.
amazonfan
Roar Guru
''Indian Summer performances"? What exactly do you mean?
Chaos
Guest
It just means you shouldn't sack good players just because they are getting older. If you always play the 'younger' players for the future, without having the experience core around them you become Richmond.
BigAl
Guest
. . . or could be due to some Indian Summer performances from their remaining Super Stars ?