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History has a funny way of repeating itself. In fact, football history’s ability to do so is almost uncanny.
In 2004, an embattled Gary Ayres lead his Adelaide team against Brisbane. They were not only flogged on the park but off it, with fans voicing their frustration from every roof top in Adelaide.
Rightly he was sacked, and his long-time assistant and loyal servant to the club Neil Craig filled the gap – and did so superbly.
Fast forward seven years and, seemingly, the same thing has happened with some important differences.
While Ayres needed to be told to leave and seemingly chased out of the spot by a team desponded with his coaching (and if the rumours are true, with him personally) and a board needing to respond to fan outrage, Craig, ever the professional, stood down, leaving behind a group who seemed genuine in their praise for him and should rightly feel partly responsible for this disastrous season.
And perhaps the most important difference lies in the future of the outcome. Craig was the popular and seemingly obvious choice at the time – he had been part of the club for years, serving as fitness coach under Blight during the clubs most successful years, and had a seemingly limitless knowledge of football and preparation.
Mark Bickley is not the most popular choice amongst the Crows faithful to succeed Craig. While all who wear the tri-colours love Bicks for his time as captain and have nothing but praise for his professionalism and love of the club, guarantee is he at least third on most Crows’ fans wishlists – and for good reason. The two above him are just too good to ignore.
For fun, let’s start with number two on the list. Nathan Bassett was known around the footballing world as a no fuss back pocket player with more courage than ability. My fellow Crows fans might remember him for routinely taking absurd pack marks no man of his build should even attempt, or for his blistering runs from full back to link up with a chain of handballs seemingly for the fun of it at times.
A favourite son of the club and Dennis Commetti’s ‘boy,’ Bassett has turned from cult figure to coach of note, taking SANFL club Norwood from the doldrums to a grand final and heartbreaking loss. He has managed to turn average players in Puopolo, Duigan and Panos into AFL draftees in a very short time, and despite his list ravaged by the national selectors, he looks set for a second straight finals appearance.
With a list brimming with potential but not much else, Adelaide could use a Bassett-inspired renaissance. Number one on the list is, of course, Simon Goodwin.
Lauded universally as “the most ready” assistant coach, Goody is another favourite son, and blessed with the perfect apprenticeship.
Not only has he had a year under Bomber Thompson and James Hird in the AFL’s greatest ever assembled coaching panel, he has been able to observe firsthand the cure for the Crows’ woes administered at another club.
Essendon’s problems of last year echo our own – a lot of potential but no success, a huge but disjointed and disaffected man-base, and in serious need of a familiar face riding in on a white horse clad in shining white armour to save the day.
Whether he can be lured home is the million dollar question. No, I mean literally the million dollar question – as in, how many millions would you like a year, Goody?
Melbourne, Western Bulldogs and bizarrely even Hawthorn may well be looking for a new coach sooner rather than later, and the Crows window for getting their man is small.
Sorry Bicks, but it’s just the wrong time wrong club for you, mate. The Bombers needed their Hirdy, now the Crows need their Goody.
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For somewhere between two and three and a half quarters, depending on how generous you want to be, Adelaide didn't do a whole lot…
Hopefully Jake Soligo doesn't keep it in there for too long!
Why wasn't Brandon Zerk-Thatcher right on the line?
