The 2012 season was the nadir of the Western Force. NIB Stadium was a ruin of rickety scaffold stands with portable toilets, appalling food and drink, and no members bar.
Marquee player Willie Rippia was sent packing for stealing from teammates and Napolioni Nalaga missed half the season with injury.
Coach Richard Graham was sacked mid-season after signing a contract with bitter rivals Queensland Reds.
Star recruit Will Genia reneged on a verbal contract, legendary player and inaugural captain Nathan Sharpe retired, and great player and captain David Pocock left for the Brumbies.
After comprehensively defeating a shell-shocked Reds in Round 6, the team won only one of its last 10 games (against the lowly Lions), and were playing disjointed, boring and stupid kicking rugby that left even stalwart supporters exasperated, a far cry from the star-studded entertaining and enterprising play of 2007 to 2009.
Could it get any worse? Indeed, the long drawn out selection process of securing a top coach went horribly wrong when Michael Cheika turned down a contract offer and left the franchise in disarray and fans deeply concerned for its future.
And then the bombshell, the appointment of Michael Foley, fresh from coaching the Waratahs annus horribilis.
The only saving grace amongst all this gloom was the recruitment of Sias Ebersohn from the Cheetahs to fill the problematic flyhalf, and the re-signing of stalwart players Matt Hodgson, Ben McCalman, Richard Brown and Brett Sheehan, all showing great character in a major statement of intent for the future.
Out of nowhere came the first signs of rejuvenation. The board started talking about a “relaunch”.
Upon arrival Foley immediately said he was not interested in quick fixes and band-aid solutions, but was employed to build from scratch a sustainable professional rugby program from the ground up, and to put in place the right staff and players to achieve that goal.
He started talking about introducing an attractive expansive attacking style that players want to play and WA fans (who thrive on this style in all their sport) want to watch, and future prospects will want to join. What? This doesn’t sound like the 2012 Waratahs!
To the delight of all incredulous supporters, Foley appointed support staff that exactly complimented those grand aspirations: Steve Meehan as attack and backs coach, immensely respected for transforming the Bath backline into a feared, threatening, integrated attacking force.
Chook Fowler from hated rivals Reds as strategic planner.
David Joyce as Head of Athletic Performance to design and implement co-ordinated tailor made athletic programs.
South African Dave Wessels as defence co-ordinator, and GM Chris Webb to revolutionise and professionalise the rugby department.
After martinet John Mitchell and inexperienced Richard Graham, the Force had never seen anything like it, the best possible quality people in all positions working together in a coordinated professional plan specifically designed for sustainable success rather than instant gratification.
Then came the rejuvenation of the playing group. To implement and achieve a revolution in playing style and strategy, it necessitated a large turnover and recruitment of different types of players.
Players of character who wanted to be involved at the Force for the right reasons, not mercenaries looking for a huge pay packet or prima donnas looking to stroke their ego, or pensioners looking for a retirement package. Hungry skillful players with something to prove to themselves and doubters.
Alby Mathewson, an experienced and high quality 9 from Blues, Jayden Hayward an skilful 12 with some experienced at ‘Canes, the very experienced and skillful duo of utility back Sam Norton Knight and loose forward Hugh McMeniman wanting a return to Super Rugby after stints overseas, back rower Chris Alcock wanting to re-establish himself, and centres Chris Tuatara-Morrison seeking a second chance in professional rugby and Junior Rasolea wanting to break into rugby from Sevens.
So out of the ashes of despair of season 2012 comes a new sense of hope for 2013 and beyond, not based on hot air and desperation but finally on something solid, something tangible, the foundations of a real Force to be reckoned with thanks largely to the unfairly derided Foley and his assistants.
A new roofed stadium with professional facilities, a professional rugby department, an integrated coordinated coaching plan with quality staff, a revamped backline selected to play a new exciting attacking style, and the existing strength of the forward pack under Nick Stiles complimented with 3M and Chris Alcock to cover departed Sharpie and Pocock, and the beginnings of player depth, especially in the halves, with nine capped Wallabies.
And most importantly, the hugely admired and respected Matt Hodgson as club captain, twice the Force Player of the Year, who exudes the necessary qualities of character and strength to unify the new playing group with the new structures and schemes.
This total transformation has been stunning and a delight to behold; the players appear happy and enthusiastic.
I am the first to admit I was wrong to be aghast at the appointment of Foley. But I have nothing but admiration for Foley and his team for undertaking such a task and seeking to turn around the long-term fortunes of the Western Force.
The first order of business is to make NIB stadium (with hopefully the newly named Sharpe End stand) a veritable “Force field”, where visiting teams starting or ending long arduous tours fear to play.
The Force have the distinction of home and away winning percentages being equal; they just need to win at home to succour the long suffering but faithful Sea of Blue supporters.
They have also beaten every team in the competition, have won well in both South Africa and New Zealand, and have beaten all Australian teams away. Write them off at your peril.
Game day forwards:
Front row: 1 Longbottom, 2 Charles, 3 Cowan with experienced Maafu and maturing Manu.
Locks: 4 Wykes, 5 Lynn with returning 3M.
Backrow: 6 Brown, 8 McCalman, 7 Hodgson with experienced Alcock and maturing McCaffrey.
Game day backs:
Halves: 9 Mathewson, 10 Ebersohn are new halves combo with developing Kyle Godwin and experienced Sheehan.
Centres: 12 Hayward, 13 Tupou with Tuatara-Morrison and Rasolea.
Outside: 11 Dellit, 14 Cummins, 15 Mafi with experienced SNK and raw Stubbs (I will slip in here the size of the backs, these guys are huge; almost all well over 6’ and 100kg).
Players to watch: Tuatara-Morrison, 3M, McCaffrey plus Godwin as a future Wallaby 10.
Jaredsbro
Roar Guru
I notice you didn't in any way respond to his other comments of don't cry so much over a traditionally losing battle. Rugby has plenty of potential growth in Oz but it requires a team in all main cities/a presence in all other regional cities in order to catch those who can't or won't make the AFL etc. If the AFL is doing this in the traditional Rugby nurseries maybe it's time for it to start going both ways...which again reqs a BBL minimum of all major cities with a team or as direct feeders for the Super Provinces.
Steve25
Guest
The issue here is a lot more complex than just poaching players from NZ. Western Australia has a very long and proud rugby tradition but in comparison to NZ, NSW, QLD and even ACT which benefits from its proximity to NSW, its rugby community is very small, especially when you consider that WA is predominately an AFL playing state, the playing stock/pool in WA is very small. In order for a rugby franchise such as the Force to survive within the Super 15 comp, we have little choice but to contract players globally, which we have every right to do as long as we follow the ARU and SANZAR rules regarding foreign players etc. You may then argue that WA should not have a Super 15 representative side if it can't muster its own players. However, I totally disagree with that because in order for rugby to be successful in the professional era and compete against soccer, League and AFL then you need to grow the game so that there are maximum opportunities for players and coaching staff to develop and improve.
Matthew Skellett
Guest
I think KPM is right ,I don't know how many times Mr Foley had to flash his Lodge Ring to get this gig , but hey maybe he's learned something and he hasn't had to struggle to stamp his personal authourity running under the old regime of corrupting patronage as was the case at the Waratahs for the last upteen years -anyways as KPM says -the proof will be in the pudding :-)
Sage
Guest
Hightackle, wouldn't the Tahs be "exhibit A" against your thinking if it's the players and not the coach? Talented players, a lot of Wallabies, but poor results.
Jerry
Guest
Honolulu. Though according to Wiki, Auckland is more remote than Perth (in that it's further from any other city of 1 million plus) as Adelaide is slightly closer to Perth than Sydney is to Auckland. In rugby terms of course, Perth is far far more isolated.
Campbell Watts
Guest
Where's the most isolated city? I always thought that was Perth
sittingbison
Guest
alas the moribund ARU is a top heavy top down Fordist organisation under JON. They only care about the current top tier players, couldnt give a stuff about the real issues like fostering the next generations.
sittingbison
Guest
nice one Johnno, well said mate
sittingbison
Guest
yup. fingers crossed he has matured. And understands he is not the starting or back up 10 (we dont need another Gits scenario thanks very much). His experience could come in very handy.
sittingbison
Guest
Bakkies one real problem was JON introducing the 30 man squads and salary cap which I understand the saffa and kiwi clubs don't have. So it comes down to a straight choice between players - Cummins or DHP for example. And closing the Academy, and zero funding in WA, means there is just no ability to keep them. However you do make a fair point. One thing to realise is Mitchell and Graham made some serious mistakes. Mitchell was a martinet who thrived on divisive behaviour, and Graham was a megalomaniac who insisted on being solely in charge of recruiting - one of the main reasons they sacked him when he signed for the Reds mid season.
sittingbison
Guest
Malo they had a marinet in Mitchell, his way or the highway. For players and assistants. It all came to a grinding halt with assistants all leaving and players in open revolt and board investigating him. Then they had inexperienced Graham who insisted on making all appointments and recruiting decisions himself. He appointed a mungo as backs coach, and made some ridiculous recruiting decisions for a struggling club lacking depth. And who again had players seething at his ineptitude. Twice bitten - and looking at professional sporting teams around the world, Foley is more like a manager in EPL, in charge of the playing department but not necessarily the day to day training and coaching. No single person is indispensable, no single can kill the season. And the skills and personalities are selected to be complimentary (fingers crossed - seems to be working so far). Similar to a no dickheads policy. Hopefully you will really enjoy going to a game or two, even when we are at our worst its a fun environment, and when we are at our best the place erupts with joy.
Bakkies
Guest
'' Bakkies I would suggest that a number of the names you suggested were indeed given fair opportunity to step up and failed to reach the standard of consistent playing needed to play Super Rugby. Dane Haylett Petty, Zack Holmes, Mark Swanepoel were all inconsistent for the Force'' Perhaps you should develop these young players and show patience rather then write them off before they are allowed to mature. That's the Waratahs mentality right there. How many Super Rugby games did these players play for the Force? Some players you have to try and give them a shot. It's not like the Force have been vying for finals spots. If the players are showing up with poor skills address your junior coaching. It's not just a Force problem. It's paramount that youngsters are developing skills at a younger age rather then when they hit adult/pro Rugby.
Max Power
Guest
Sittingbison they made McCutcheon the club captain not the team captain. He is responsible for the team culture, bonding and the more social aspects of the team but not the on-field leader. I think he'll be excellent at it too. He was great at the recent Strut the Streets for AIME leading hundreds of people in budgey smugglers in a very suss warm-up.
Wilson
Guest
Not that I am aware of. I saw Vern at the Offices the other week and I'm sure he is only hanging around until the new CEO is named. I hope they find some new blood with some motivation to really drive the company forward. There are some good people in the club who have been there for years, if there was anyone internally that had real leadership ability the club wouldn't have gone down hill as far as it did. Someone with new connections and some successful business experience with a growing, successful business (not necessarily in sport) is what the club needs. Not another guy cruising into retirement or a promotion of any internal cruiser with grand ambitions but limited or no top job experience. Has anyone heard anything out of the club on the topic since Vern resigned? The code of silence comes down thick and fast at times. Taking time is ok as long as they get the right person. There are many amazingly talented CEOs in WA. A state that has been booming in resources and connected inductries for years. Surely there is a wealth of candidates to consider.
Wilson
Guest
Good work on the quick responce time on TWF SB. Stoked to see some local support for the new Captain
Wilson
Guest
Bakkies I would suggest that a number of the names you suggested were indeed given fair opportunity to step up and failed to reach the standard of consistent playing needed to play Super Rugby. Dane Haylett Petty, Zack Holmes, Mark Swanepoel were all inconsistent for the Force and failed to show that they were good enough to put it bluntly. Glimpses of talent and potential if not realised can only be nurtured for so long. Zack had already been to other Super clubs before and was found wanting. Mark seemed to lack confidence on the pitch. Dane seems better suited to the slower game and mixed talents of French rugby. Sometimes players need a change of scene and possibly coach to be able to shine. This has been true of many rugby players. It is a relationship between a player and a team/coach that is not a scientific formula. Many more local players have been trailed at the Force in preseason and have been found lacking in skill/talent. Often once they have played some Sydney or Brisbane club rugby it does start to bridge the gap in experience that unfortunately is not found in WA club rugby yet. It is on the improve but not up where the eastern states are currently. I would mention that other states can be seen as missing talent in their own back yard too. Both Pocock and JOC were seen as too small by QLD and yet the Force secured and gave opportunities to both players. every state will have such cases in their history, it is not a uniquely WA issue I would have thought. It is frustrating to think that good players have slipped through but given that it is such a subjective thing to judge talent it will likely keep happening.
Jerry
Guest
He returned shortly after that though Neuen. Mika and Vidiri were only fringe AB's (and Vidiri stopped playing because of illness - he didn't head overseas). I kind of see what you're saying though.
mania
Guest
CH - "I hate that term “grass roots”" yet u like the term community rugby?
Justin2
Guest
A wonderfully out together, yet exaggerated, list.
mania
Guest
jeznez - seems i'm giving out a lot of apologies on this blog. ok whatever remaining tah's supporters there are they would be the hardiest/loyalist of all supporters. good luck for your season jeznez.