Iron fist required by Demons new coach

Here’s a thought – let’s hold a press conference with the ever-growing and all-powerful leadership groups when performance is unacceptable, rather than throwing meat to the lions, a la Dean Bailey and the waiting journos.

Hold a media conference with captain Brad Green and vice-captain Aaron Davey; invite Jared Rivers and how about having Brent Moloney to also attend, since he was reinstated in the leadership group with Nathan Jones and Grimes to also receive invitations.

Leadership groups have acquired and continue to gain more influence and power.

However, they seldom step up when a coach’s neck is on the line.

Correct me if I’m wrong, but the only change has been that of Bailey; no modifications have been made to those aforementioned.

Now I’m not ignorant; I understand that in the end, the coach is held responsible, and in certain cases, their tenure comes to a close and contract at the club is worth less than the paper his signature is on.

Much has been spoken about since Melbourne’s crushing defeat on the weekend: we have witnessed the sacking of Bailey and the talk and innuendo surrounding club CEO Cameron Schwab.

Melbourne should continue on the end of year clearance and depart with Schwab; Jim Stynes (and I said this in my round 19 wrap up) should focus on his health, as in the end that is more important – he can still be a dominatant figure further behind the scenes.

Leadership is crumbling within the club. It was said that Schwab would be walked and Bailey would get a contract extension but that all changed on Saturday; the reverse happened.

There is severe unrest, with players approaching key personnel including Stynes; there is unrest between the CEO and the board over his philosophy and way of conducting business.

The question on leadership was dragged into the spotlight earlier in the year, when Brent Moloney was stripped of the role in the core group, after a late-night drinking session.

A few good games were found to be good enough for him to be reappointed. Is that really setting a good example for the young guys and how much does that say about the club taking it seriously?

The Dees should take note of Collingwood and Geelong on the leadership front; no one can question how they have gone about establishing and maintaining an effective culture and leadership program.

Melbourne need a coach who will be demanding of his players and silence the administration side. It is a necessity for them to have a coach in place that will be the chief and lead from the front because the current crop of so-called leaders wearing the blue and red jumper do not.

They do not have what it takes.