In 2019 we have seen the departure of three coaches before the end of the AFL season – and the massacre isn’t over.
There are still three or four coaches who will be given their marching orders.
After Round 10, Brad Scott officially bid farewell to North Melbourne – he knew that after nine years and two preliminary finals, his position was no longer tenable.
One week later, the media circus arrived at Ikon Park for the sacking of Carlton coach Brendon Bolton after one win from 11 games.
Next, Alan Richardson resigned as St Kilda coach, aware he wasn’t going to survive beyond 2019 either.
It’s been eight years since we’ve seen six changes in the coaching ranks – in 2011 we said goodbye to Neil Craig, Dean Bailey, Rodney Eade, the controversial Mark Harvey, Ross Lyon, as well as the departure of Mick Malthouse at the conclusion of the 2011 grand final.
Yet we may see seven in 2019.
John Worsfold will be gone from Essendon by season’s end, despite his denial about a meeting with club officials about having to turn it around in the last two weeks.
Fremantle this weekend and Collingwood in Round 23 are almost mission impossible for the embattled Bombers coach, and with Blake Caracella returning to the Dons for the first time in 15 years, he could become the man to lead the club out of their finals drought.
I’ve been strong on this next one – Ken Hinkley is seeing his final days as Port Adelaide’s coach.
Hinkley was earlier linked with a move to Carlton, which he strongly denied, but has been under pressure to finally take Port to success. If the Power get knocked out in Week 1 of the finals again – or miss the eight completely – do not be surprised if president David Koch sacks Hinkley and gives the coaching job to Michael Voss (who is favourite to take the Blues gig).
Don Pyke is another who won’t last if Adelaide make a poor showing of the finals, but with Carlton still failing to appoint David Teague as coach, the Crows are monitoring the situation closely.
Teague could be the man Adelaide look at if they decide to sack Pyke, with the club having failed to recovere since the 2017 decider, and Josh Jenkins and Tex Walker under intense scrutiny with a rebuild on the cards.
There is no way the Dockers coach survives another season. Ross Lyon will be moved on at season’s end after again missing out on finals for the fourth straight year, and failing to rebuild the squad in the allotted time he was given.
Lyon has been linked to Carlton and could also look at returning to Saints, who he betrayed in 2011 to take the Fremantle position, leading to Mark Harvey getting sacked without knowing.
Lyon has failed the Dockers and Peter Sumich is the man in the box seat to take over.
These four will have the microscope on them over the last fortnight because, regardless of results, the coaching massacre of 2019 isn’t done yet.
Gerry
Roar Rookie
Lyon is gone what a rubbish job ad coach of Freo. They need to wake up and get rid fast.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
And, as stated, they have had that kind of injury devastation for each of those years. To have elite players on a list and to have them on the field are 2 different things.
Footy Nerd
Guest
I expected them to finish in the eight. Their list is extremely talented with enormous upside, Hogan, Conca, Lobb, Wilson, Darcy, Mundy, Fyfe, B. Hill, Walters, Langdon, Hamling, Pearce,Brayshaw, Cerra, Luke Ryan These are all above average and elite players Throw in Sturt and Valente This is not a 2019 problem this is a 2016-2019 problem, you can't judge them on just 2019
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Ross' coaching and game plan is exactly why we have been so competitive. Remember, pre-season, most pundits had Freo bottom four even assuming a full list. Other coaches would have had Freo fold.
Gee
Roar Rookie
Teflon Ross is safe at Freo, the have drunk the coolaid like all the Melbourne journos and are convinced he is a great coach. Won nothing and never will with the defensive drivel of a game plan he adores.
Downsey
Roar Pro
Even then I think it's reasonable to wonder whether Lyon's game plan is a contributing factor. Prioritising effort over skill, heavy tackling, harder fought contests around the ball at ground level, grind footy. Does this play style wear on the body more? Particularly bodies of players at the very start or end of their careers, or with prior injury history?
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Koch is a goose.
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
If Port sack Hinkley and go with Voss (which isn't going to happen) I'll never go to a Port game again. Voss will be shown the door from Port at the end of the season, Hinkley will still be there, next year though is Ken's make or break. Lyon ain't going anywhere either, he's done a great job at Freo this year.
JamesH
Roar Guru
Agreed, the board should be looking at the young talent emerging at Port. They're still an inconsistent side but I think their best in 2019 has been significantly better than their best was in 2018. I also suspect that Pyke will be given the chance to turn things around. He took this side to a GF in 2017 and their woes since then have a bit to do with key players getting older and/or injured. If they give him some clear air to regenerate the list then he could well have the Crows back in the frame in the short term.
ScottD
Roar Guru
Lyon didn't "betray" St Kilda. They didn't give him the clear offer that he asked for so he went elsewhere. Nothing wrong with that.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Nope. Those in the know can see the issue. Blakely, Hill, Sandilands, Darcy, Pearce, Hogan, Cox, Taberner, Logue have all missed half the season or more. Lobb, Wilson, Fyfe, Ryan all missed 3 or more. Even the young draftees, Sturt, Valente, Dixon, Meek, North have missed over half the season. The board and the players know that. You don't blame Ross for that. He has been one of the coaches of the year having Freo in contention for so long with so many key players unavailable.
deano
Roar Rookie
freo simply cannot afford to sack lyon, so they have to endure another season of pain. pyke is on his bike, absolute certainty.
Kick to kick
Guest
Poor piece of speculative journalism by a commentator with no obvious special or inside knowledge but plenty of opinions. Bit of an embarrassment to The Roar’s credibility. David Teague’s appointment at Carlton a few hours after publication puts paid to much of the speculation here. So no - - Michael Voss is not the favourite to move to the Blues, nor is David Teague going to South Australia and nor is Carlton an option for Ross Lyons. Most informed commentary seems to think that David Koch is shooting his mouth off and out of step with the rest of club management. Who knows what is going on at Fremantle but without a new home for Lyons it seems likely that the last year of his contract will be honoured. Frankly I’ve no idea what senior coaching movements there will be - but I read sites like this for specialist insights not for unsourced and wild proclamations. The writer should look hard at journalists like Caroline Wilson who actually investigate stories before going into print.
Vicboy
Roar Rookie
Lyon would have an impact at GWS next year. Brad Scott then to Freo
Downsey
Roar Pro
Lyon won't be leaving Fremantle unless he wants to. He seems to have the board and players staunchly on his side. He's been let off the hook with people pointing the finger at players or assistant coaches for poor performances.
RoryStorm
Guest
I'm a rugby league fan who also enjoys AFL. Living in Melbourne since 1974, the year of the Tiger, I got all mushy and decided I'd support the beaten Grand Finalist the Nth Melb Kangaroos. What a stroke of good fortune that was. Between Ron Barassi and Wayne Carey I've enjoyed plenty of good years following the Roos. When the Melbourne Storm started up during the Super League war that made even the average first grade player an overnight millionaire, I've supported them. In 21 years they have only had 3 coaches. The current coach has been there for over a decade and still has the full support of the club bosses and supporters. If you want to see how a football club should be run, look no further than the Melbourne Storm. As far as the Storm boss is concerned he wants his club to win it every year and doesn't pencil in a "window of opportunity". He has said windows are for losers and are just a safety net for coaches to make excuses. If the Storm make this year's GF and it's a good chance they will, it will be their fourth year in a row. Good leadership at the top, a good coaching team and good talent scouts are essential. Lets not forget either, there is a ton of hard work from the players pre season with a no dick head policy. It's not about Windows of opportunity, it's about having a very good club from top to bottom. They are not just looking at this year, they are laying plans for many successful years to come.
PeteB
Roar Rookie
Many coaches have had their teams consistently perform below expectations. Something has to give at some point.
asd
Guest
hinkley pike both under pressure
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
Interesting article, I am hoping you are correct as the change is deserved. Shame about horse. Are you the Michael Thompson of South Melbourne?
Col from Brissie
Roar Guru
Was always going to happen AD. People power at work.