Mick Malthouse will be in the coach’s box once again at either Princes Park or Metricon Stadium next year.
If I’m correct, the triple-premiership-winning coach will go to the latter and work with his former captain, Guy McKenna.
Malthouse has through his manager, Peter Sidwell, had his name once again linked to coaching after being succeeded by Nathan Buckley at Collingwood at the end of last season.
“If a coaching job came up in the next few weeks, Michael won’t be taking it. He will not entertain any position before the end of the year – that is clear.”
Brett Ratten is under significant and ever-increasing pressure as a result of Carlton losing six of their past seven matches.
Blues president ‘Sticks’ Kernahan “reassured” the media recently that Ratten isn’t heading anywhere soon.
“At this stage he (Ratten) will be the coach until the end of the year for sure.”
Ratten is contracted to the end of next year. That’s right, the end of the 2013 season. So Kernahan’s comments won’t give Ratten a great deal of confidence in keeping his job.
The strain on the Carlton coach will intensify if they succumb to Collingwood this Friday night. The run home is tough and if not on game Carlton could well lose five or six of their last eight matches.
If Carlton terminates Ratten’s contract, I presume the intent will be conveyed late in the year. That may see Carlton pay Ratten $500,000 and open the door even further for Malthouse.
However, I see Malthouse heading north to the Gold Coast.
In late 2011, the Suns had Mick on their mind as a senior assistant to Guy McKenna – similar to ‘Bomber’ Thompson and James Hird at Essendon.
Adelaide’s dual premiership coach Malcolm Blight will step into the box with McKenna in the position of part-time director of coaching.
It has been mentioned that the club bowed to AFL pressure to have an experienced, senior person in with the second-year coach.
I see it as a trial.
If this shows a glimmer of success for the winless club, then Malthouse would and should be the priority target for the Gold Coast Suns. This would allow Blight to head back into a front office role.
If the Suns hadn’t signed McKenna up for a further two years, I’d push for him to take the reigns.
McKenna has the extension though and he would learn a great deal, as would the young playing list. The introduction of Malthouse may even entice other players to make a move.
Be it at Carlton or the Gold Coast, Mick Malthouse will be back where he belongs, in the coach’s box. I’m predicting up on the sandy beaches but as we all know, footy throws up many surprises.
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Round 5 of the AFL provided plenty of action, from big scorelines to upset wins and pressure starting to build on some clubs and coaches already.
Sean Lemmens was given a four-match ban for this crunching tackle - is it a fair whack?
Geelong has been crafty and creative in its list management and has quietly assembled a very exciting young group of midfielders and half-forwards.
Brisbane co-captain Lachie Neale will be looking to lead his team to a victory against Melbourne in what will be his 250th AFL game.
It’s high stakes with five teams having lost their first three games of season 2024, and in desperate need of a win.
It could be a weekend for contenders to emerge, teams to hopefully break droughts, o and overall footy to have a party.
