Essendon couldn’t have found a better man to be a fill-in coach for a season, but the question is `what will Mark Thompson do with himself in 2015?’
Thompson’s seventh-placed Essendon side staged a last-quarter comeback to beat the Western Bulldogs 15.11 (101) to the Bulldogs’ 14.10 (94) at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
Jake Carlisle’s career-best haul of eight goals was the difference between the two sides, as Thompson readily acknowledged in his post-match media conference.
Many would argue Thompson’s tactical nous, teaching skills and calm manner in the face of enormous stress caused by the ASADA inquiry into Essendon are major reasons why the Bombers find themselves in the top eight with five games remaining.
And with James Hird’s one-year suspension for his role in the club’s use of supplements in 2012 due to end next month, uncertainty hangs over Essendon.
Hird is tipped to have a match-day role during the finals series in September, should Essendon qualify in the top eight.
Club great Tim Watson is leading calls for Hird to step into the background until the 2014 season is over.
Another key question is will Thompson, a two-time premiership coach at Geelong before becoming Hird’s assistant at Essendon and now the club’s caretaker coach, will take his expertise elsewhere.
“The reason why all of us are here is because of our players,” Thompson said on Sunday.
“They don’t want us to be a distraction, so it’s not going to be.
“We are not talking about it, and I have not even decided what I’m doing next year.
“All I know is they didn’t want it to be a gap year and it’s not. We are still alive.
“We’re a chance to play finals and we want to make sure that happens.
“I can seriously tell you it’s not about me.”
Hird is due to return from a study tour later in July.
“When he comes back from France we’re going to talk,” Thompson said.
Essendon chairman Paul Little has declared Hird will coach Essendon in 2015, with some commentators predicting Thompson will be hot property for rival clubs to chase.
Pumping Dougie
Guest
Hird used to be one of my top 3 footballers of the past three decades (behind Ablett snr and Carey) but now I question the legitimacy of his playing career, given what was revealed in the past 18 months of his history with Shane Carter as a player and his morals and decision-making as a coach years later. He should have received a life ban from any leadership role in the sport, but the way Essendon and many of their loyal supporters have doggedly defended their own poor conduct and the way Hird has refused to accept responsibility for his significant and disgraceful part, the most fitting punishment that could happen now is for Hird to return as Head Coach and the Bombers to fail miserably over the next two years, so that people wonder, 'What if we had kept Thompson instead?'.
col in paradise
Guest
Hird has to go....he was negligent at a minimum... And it was always about him . Keep Bomber.
joe b
Guest
Or have some kind of succession plan like Malthouse and Buckley...seriously, I don't think you can have both of them together moving forward, it may fracture the playing group and staff with divided loyalty.
Jakarta Jeff
Guest
Have a double act. Team coach and get the best of both.
Mark
Guest
Hird should take a low profile and let Thompson coach for the next 3 years.