Leadership changes pending in the West

and the headline of your post is 'Leadership changes pending at West Coast' - Glass might step down to let Waters take over but that's the only pending change that I can see in the near future. Ray Wilson says it a lot better than I ever could in this article on Woosha, good read - http://au.news.yahoo.com/local/wa/a/-/local/13766885/ray-wilson-worsfold-name-fits-bill/

You did say that Alfred but you said other stuff as well. I just expanded on some of your points, gave my take on it (which is only my opinion) and clarified that WC will sign him today if he wants to resign, that was an important point you missed out that needed clarification that's all. You wrote a good article, I just think it's a non-issue. Woosh is safe as houses and he doesn't want to go anywhere else. He's already a legend as I said but he's also an extremely driven man and he's a career coach. I first met him at a bbq when he was 15 and all he did was talk footy, he loved it back then and he loves it just as much now, maybe even more. He was the most mature 15yo you'd ever want to meet and David Parkin said he's the most honest man he's ever met when they were at the Blues together. I wouldnt be suprised to see him at WC in 10-20 years time. How many times in your life do you have the opportunity to be part of the inaugural squad of any team in the very 1st season of a new national competition, captain them to 2 premierships, be the first interstate team to take the cup out of Victoria and then go on to coach them to another flag? He's been either captain or coach in every GF that WC have ever played in and he's done all of this by age 45, pretty remarkable record and position he finds himself in and he knows it and you did acknowledge that point about his age so well done! Woosh is the heart and soul of WC, always has been and always will be even when he hangs up the boots. His legacy at the club is set in stone because he built WC from the ground up (with a lot of help from a lot of other people) to become the most successful team in the modern era along with Geelong (and Lions if you're only counting flags). I think he is only now starting to get the respect he deserves and speculation about WC even considering his position (when the chairman just a few weeks back said he would sign Woosh today) are disrespectful and wrong and that was my point. Sorry it took me so long to get to it :) P.S. he's not in it for the money and he doesn't play those games

Alfred, let me respond to some comments from your post: "But is 12 years too long to be at one club?" Not necessarily and definitely not in this case, why should it be? "Nine was almost too long when the Eagles claimed the wooden spoon in 2010 and Worsfold’s future was in doubt." and what a mistake it would have been to let him go! "Given West Coast’s premiership window is wide open" so the media keeps telling us (blah blah), I think it's still 1-3 years away and when it does opens it will be open for a long time. If they win this year it will be a bonus flag. "The jury remains out on whether Worsfold should be brought back next season." which jury is that exactly and is it one that actually matters? the only jury that matters is WC, Woosh (and his family) and the playing group. WC have already said they will sign him today if he wants to coach on and I can't see the players turning against him - the decision is 100% in Woosha's hands. "Based on the fact Worsfold’s contract is still yet to be extended, there are hesitations from both the Eagles and Worsfold" WC said they will sign him tomorrow, the only hesitation is with Woosh and he's just being a cool-cat and he will wait till the end of the year, he's confident in his abilities and knows where he's going - this has been very well documented recently - http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/west-coast-chairman-alan-cransberg-throws-support-behind-john-worsfold/story-e6frf9no-1226635161171 "Amazingly, he coached the Eagles from the wooden spoon to fourth the following season and gained a two year contract extension" it wasn't amazing to the people inside the club that saw the work they were doing on rebuilding their culture or those of us that could see past the media storm going on at the time (winning was not #1 back then, they wanted to build a foundation for sustained success and it started with culture and values). "Beau Waters is currently the vice-captain and will be considered." Considered? Beau Waters will be captain when Glass hands-over and Glass is playing as well as he ever has btw, he was the All-Australian Captain last year and can play on next year if he has the desire to. "For now, the only matter of concern for the Eagles will be playing football and making finals" Correct "As the season goes on, the more unlikely a top-four finish looks, the more questions will be asked of what direction the Eagles want to go." WC have already said they will give him a contract tomorrow if he wants it - too many people take a short-term view of these things. He would have been sacked after 2010 if most people had their way and what a mistake that would have been! I hope Woosh stays on, I doubt he wants to coach anywhere else. When you think of the impact this man has had on the club since the very beginning it's been a remarkable career so far, irrespective if he stays of goes he's already a legend.

Why the need for change Alfred? Ridiculous argument you've got there ie change for the sake of change (see my earlier post). You don't know a lot about the inner workings of WC or Woosha the man/leader either, sorry but it comes through with some of the comments in your post, not all of them but a few are off the mark. Remember, if WC had kicked straight (17.42) against the Blues & Port they would be in the Top 4 now, they dominated both teams with tons of injuries. Look at overall form, not just ladder position.

Alex Ferguson (27 years - ManU) & Jerry Sloan (23 years - Utah Jazz) & Bill Belichick (13 years and still going - New England Patriots) have all had sustained success with the same club so I don't buy this move on theory simply because 'it's time for a change'. The KPI to look out for is whether or not the players are playing for the coach and developing and they have always played for Woosha (even in the down years) and the kids have come on like he told us all they would when most were calling for his head at the time. If they continue to play for him he has their respect and then it's up to him to lead them in the right direction and develop them which I believe he is doing. Norm Smith had 15 years at the Dees and Lindsay Gaze had 22 years at the Melbourne Tigers. Why not replace Warren Buffet and let someone else run Berkshire Hathaway because they only grew 15% last year (example growth % but you get the point), it's ridiculous to argue for change just for changes sake. That same ridiculous argument gave us Rudd & Gillard, people were sick of Johnny and just wanted a change and look what we got!

Hi Alfred, I think his week is a pretty important one for the Eagles season. They haven't been as strong at home this year, which has been the cornerstone of their successful seasons. If they struggle at home, they will be unlikely to challenge for the top 4, and hence the premiership. I agree that Selwood looks the next skipper, and I'd be surprised if Lecras went anywhere. Most players who are supported by their clubs through lengthy and repeated injury spells tend to stay to repay the faith shown in them.

The Eagles are the team to be on. They have a super talented list and have no immediate salary cap pressure. I have a gut feeling Lecca will go at the end of the season because he is an outright superstar and there will be a team desperate enough to give him marquee money. Keen to see how much longer Dean Cox goes on for too. He's had a surprisingly clean bill of health for a big man and just works so well with Naitanui. This will probably be Kerr's last season though.

Interesting thoughts Alfred, but often I think the grass is always greener. I really wish Port hadn't got rid of choco because premiership coaches are very hard to come by. Even more so ones that have an intimate knowledge of your club. If players are sick of the message, move them on. Worstfold would have more premierships to his name if it weren't for the off-field behaviour of his stars, is that his fault? Maybe. They could get rid of him, but who would he be replaced by? Most clubs would donate their right ear to get a coach as well credentialed at Johnny.

Hi Alfred, I think players get sick of listening to the same message from the same head coach, no matter how good he might be. Kevin Sheedy was at Essendon for 27 seasons (1981-2007) & 4 premierships (1984, 85, 93, 2000). But you must wonder if the Bombers might have won more premierships with 2/3 coaches over the same period? Similarly, Wayne Bennett was at Brisbane for 21 seasons (1988-2008) & 6 premierships (1992, 93, 97 (SL), 98, 2000, 06). He probably got the maximum out of the Broncos. The great rugby league coach Jack Gibson understood that the longer you remained at one club, the likelihood your influence would be diluted over time. He made a point of never remaining at a single club for more than three years. The AFL legend Ron Barassi, a most invasive, in your face, stye of coach, understood the same thing, although he operated on slightly longer tenures of 5-6 years. Perhaps Worsfold needs a new direction himself. As you suggest, Worsfold has much to offer. Going to another club will energise him. Also, even if his successor preaches the same message, at least the Eagles players are hearing it from someone new. Sporting clubs, like the rest of us, need regeneration every so often. The trick is figuring when to make the changes.