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.
Wayno
Guest
Gee I hope for the Suns sake Malthouse dosent get offered the coachs job. He's a pain in the rectum.
Lroy
Guest
Mate, Brad Scott is a very good coach. I just saw his post game interview after the Eagles loss. HE is highly intelligent, doesnt' make excuses and has put together a pretty good side. Tactically he's as astute as any of them, his game plan worked perfectly, the Roos small forwards were able to get behind the WCE press and they got a few easy goals out of it. Only reason they lost was Dean Cox played like superman in the last quarter and the rest of them lifted with him. North would be crazy to sack him .. not that you said he "should" be sacked, just he might. I hope the president really gets behind him, Im not a north supporter, I cannot believe they are even considering sacking this guy.
wisey_9
Roar Guru
Roos will come back eventually. Currently he is very happy with his development role with the Swans + his media work, but after he has put a few years into that (and his children have grown up), the king will return.
Reece Jordan
Roar Pro
I don't see him going to the Gold Coast, though smart money is on him going to Carlton. Perhaps North Melbourne if Brad Scott loses his job by the seasons end? He seems ready to coach, he's obviously more than capable, it's just a question of where he'll be. I tip somewhere in Melbourne.
Timmuh
Roar Guru
I thought Blight was in line for a "director of coaching" role at Gold Coast. Certainly Ratten is under pressure and looks set to be replaced at year's end. Carlton fans were sure of a top four finish, even bowing out in the first week of finals might not be enough to keep Ratten safe. North won't replace Scott at the end of this year, if for no other reason than he has another year to run and the club can not afford to pay out his contract. Nor could North afford Malthouse should any other club make an offer.
sirnoob_51
Roar Rookie
I think that Ratten will somehow have to turn this season around starting with Friday night and beat the pies if he has to by any means have a chance of keeping his job next season. Whether Malthouse gets the gig at carlton or not I dont know but potential clubs could be North Melbourne if they dont make the finals or Carlton.
Redb
Roar Guru
Not likely. Seems a gig somewhere for Malthouse is on the cards though.
swannies05
Roar Pro
I can't see Malthouse taking on a Director/Assistant role. He was offered that at Collingwood and knocked it back (clearly different circumstances), but I just think Malthouse has a fair ego on him and he is either the Head Coach or nothing. This is not a knock against Malthouse by the way, it is what makes him who he is, and what made him such a perfect fit for Collingwood. As for Roos, as much as it hurts me to say, I could definitely see him take over in a Senior Assistant role. He has repeatedly said he won't coach again, but whenever he is asked on this topic it is in regards to the Head Coach role, so Roosy on the Gold Coast is not that far fetched.
Christo the Daddyo
Guest
Roos has said repeatedly he won't coach again. Agree with you on Malthouse though - I can't see him moving to the Gold Coast.
Australian Rules
Guest
First, I doubt very much Malthouse would move to Queensland away from his family, grandchildren etc. He's said before that that's a huge barrier. Second, he wouldn't take a mentor or some other 'Head of Football' role beside/under Bluey McKenna. Mick is a dominating, imposing figure at a footy club and he knows that he would overshadow McKenna, particularly as they have such history as master/apprentice. Not only was Bluey a favourite son of Malthouse's West Coast Eagles, but was an assistant under Mick at the Pies. Gold Coast is the bigger challenge (which Mick may enjoy) but Carlton is the more likely option.
btn
Roar Pro
I don't see Malthouse going to the Coast. If any experienced coach were to head there, it would be Paul Roos. Roos seemed to actually be interested in coaching a developing side and has coached in a non-AFL region before. I reckon Malthouse loves the big moments too much, and he wouldn't get many of those with the Suns.