Pressure acts and forward fifty pressure are statistical indicators used to gauge team performance, however the most significant pressure is immeasurable, it rests upon the face of any football club: the coach.
The coach fronts the media after each and every embarrassing loss, capitulation and “aberration” as Brad Scott has recently labelled North Melbourne’s performances.
The pressure mounts with each loss and unconvincing effort over the security of their position.
Unlike many elements of our game, coach pressure is immeasurable; there is no certain way of portraying how much scrutiny each coach faces.
After 10 rounds of exhilarating football some coaches have released their respective pressure valves’ through team performance and results, while the spotlight is glaring on others, like a dear stuck in the headlights.
First year coaches’ are often excused from the conversation as expectations by the board and public are usually reserved.
One exception to this rule is Magpies coach Nathan Buckley, who obtained the unique position of leading the biggest football club in Australia as his initiation to senior coaching.
Brendan McCartney, Brenton Sanderson, Mark Neeld and Scott Watters were all given the task of improving their respective lists. There was no immediate pressure to reap success and play finals, unlike the Collingwood coach who took the reins of a bona fide premiership contender.
For this reason, the pressure and expectations to perform for Adelaide, Footscray, Melbourne and the Saints were lower than other teams.
Although the Demons’ coach has faced surreal pressure in his first year, his position is not under threat in the immediate future, especially following last weekend’s breakthrough win over Essendon.
Port Adelaide’s last three weeks has given them reason to be excused from the conversation, withstanding The Adelaide Advertiser’s Michelangelo Rucci’s one man campaign to run Matthew Primus out of town.
Following recent poor form and a discernible lack of effort, the coaches facing the most intense immediate scrutiny are Carlton’s Brett Ratten and North Melbourne’s Brad Scott.
Ratten’s Blues have shown gradual improvement since his tenure began in 2007.
Following two consecutive elimination final losses to Brisbane and Sydney in 2009 and ’10 Carlton broke through for a resounding 62-point win over rivals Essendon in last year’s finals.
The following semi-final against West Coast resulted in a heart-stopping loss in Perth, but the signs of progression were evident in Ratten’s Blues.
After starting the season in scintillating fashion the Blues have come to a grinding halt, following injuries to several key players including reigning Best and Fairest Marc Murphy.
The 54-point loss to the Power on the weekend was discerning for the insipid lack of effort shown by the navy Blue.
The Carlton hierarchy have already stated it is top four or bust for the Blues this year. At this stage finals seem a long shot let alone a double chance come September.
In the other corner of the pressure debate is North Melbourne, who are in tatters following the shock resignation of Chief Executive Eugene Arocca yesterday morning.
The Kangaroos started the year brightly with an impressive 17-point upset over the reigning premiers in round three.
Since then, they have only managed two victories over the lowly ranked Lions and the second-year Suns.
Last weekend’s 115-point thrashing at the hands of the Hawks was described as an “aberration” by coach Brad Scott.
Following the hype over their victory against the Cats, North Melbourne had been in steady decline before rapidly deteriorating in round eight against Port Adelaide as the Power overcame a five goal deficit in the fourth quarter to snatch victory in the eleventh hour.
Since Brad Scott’s arrival in 2010 the Kangaroos have finished ninth in both 2010 and ’11.
Improvement had to be gained, and North had to make the finals in 2012 or the pressure would mount on Scott.
The pressure is mounting, not only for their disappointing ladder position, the currently sit twelfth, but like the Blues for their distinct lack of effort and desire come match day.
A 100-point loss is concerning at the best of times, but on a day that meant so much to the North Melbourne football club who were venturing into Tasmania and trying to expand their franchise, it is appalling.
Both North Melbourne and the Blues have to turn things around fast, or both clubs face the prospect of losing their coach before season’s end.
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"That's the worst plan I have ever heard in my life!"
How could you, Hughesy!
A few weeks ago, I dubbed Carlton and Geelong as the premiership frontrunners - at a time when they sat, respectively, fourth and first…
An innocuous incident - but any trouble for the Chad?
Safe to say Hodgey was fighting a lone battle with this take!
Surely this had to be recalled!
