Is Roy Laird AFL coach material?

[panthers 2008]

I know Roy Laird does not seem to have the desire to have a dig at being involved in the AFL,but am i alone in thinking this bloke 'could' end up being a quality AFL coach?

[sjt]

Consensus (from the players) is that he's a better coach the Clarkson was. So too good for AFL, doesn't complicate things enough.

[doggies4eva]

I know Roy Laird does not seem to have the desire to have a dig at being involved in the AFL,but am i alone in thinking this bloke 'could' end up being a quality AFL coach?

Nah, only been coaching for 7 seasons for 6 flags and a second. Needs more time

[hawkseye]

I reckon he loves Centrals too much to do anything else.

[Old but Smart Dog]

Well when Centrals get in the AFL, you'll find out....because Roy will only ever coach U Dogs!!!...and yes hes the best Coach going around ...and ten times better than Neil Craig..

Winning record: Roy 15 final wins...1 lost
Neil: heaps of loses 1/3 wins...
decide for yourself whos the better coach!!

[westozfalcon]

Roy Laird probably would be a good senior AFL coach but unless you're a recently retired AFL player you've got virtually no hope these days.

He'd have a good chance getting a job as one of the battalion of assistants AFL clubs have though.

[Old but Smart Dog]

Roy Laird probably would be a good senior AFL coach but unless you're a recently retired AFL player you've got virtually no hope these days.

He'd have a good chance getting a job as one of the battalion of assistants AFL clubs have though.

Won't happen - Roy's too good to be simply a mere assistant coach..besides hes so passionate about Centrals...so won't leave!

[SnappyTom]

Roy Laird probably would be a good senior AFL coach but unless you're a recently retired AFL player you've got virtually no hope these days.

He'd have a good chance getting a job as one of the battalion of assistants AFL clubs have though.

Won't happen - Roy's too good to be simply a mere assistant coach..besides hes so passionate about Centrals...so won't leave!

You are 100% correct. He'd be frustrated in an assistant's role. He's the one who likes to take in the advice, information, other perspectives - but likes the responsibility of making the final decision - whether it was his or not.

He is a thoroughly professional SANFL coach - no more, no less.

ST...

[Thunderstruck]

His CV doesn't look that bad atm. A role would beckon one day but he doesn't strike me as the sort of bloke who would be a fit for the AFL media spotlight. He just gets the job done, SANFL is the place he relishes and that is where he will probably stay. But has more brains than pretty much any current AFL coach. The ultimate coach.

TS

[Dog_ger]

To coach at AFL level, you must have had AFL experience.

[SnappyTom]

To coach at AFL level, you must have had AFL experience.

What about Grant Thomas.
Oh wait, my bad. Could hardly call what he was a coach, eh!

ST...

[MightyEagles]

Yes, but won't happen any time soon or ever.

[csbowes]

I don't want to start a flame war here, but I reckon Roy is comfortable being a big fish in a small pond. I reckon he's a top coach, while he's had a ready made gun side, it takes talent to keep preparing them and gee-ing them up at the right time of the year to get them to perform to their best on the big day and I for one was TOTALLY impressed with Centrals application on Sunday. I still can't believe it, was talking to my Centrals mate at work today about it.

That said, for Roy to be really classed as one of the great all time coaches, he needs to move up a level and do something at AFL level, as in the end, if you don't, then you have to come out and say some amateur coach or country coach whose done as good or better is superior to him and that'd be dumb. So the man has to take the next step and do an assistants role and then move on from there, I'd have no qualms about picking him up and having him at North Melbourne.

At present he's a first class, all time great SANFL coach... so time to take on greater challenges!

[birdmanptr]

Well when Centrals get in the AFL, you'll find out....because Roy will only ever coach U Dogs!!!...and yes hes the best Coach going around ...and ten times better than Neil Craig..

Winning record: Roy 15 final wins...1 lost
Neil: heaps of loses 1/3 wins...
decide for yourself whos the better coach!!

Good point and considering the standard laird is coaching against and what Craig is coaching against is roughly the same no question in fact i would say laird is better.

[panthers 2008]

I think the notion that you must have played AFL/VFL to coach at that level is not right.
Neil Craig never played AFL,though he was a very talented SANFL player,and Wayne Brittan who coached Carlton for a few seasons never played at AFL level. I think as long as you have played at a high level (eg SANFL OR WAFL) and obviously the track record as a top coach at that level there is no reaon to be looked upon as a coach of inferior ability.
Sure Centrals have great steady leadership within the club,and they are a very proffesionally run club,but the coach you blokes have must have plenty going for him.
The way he and the players conduct themselves are a credit to your club.Your club deserves all the success it is getting.

[Barto]

He'd be getting a decent enough wage anyway. Why move interstate to be a sidekick when you're being paid well enough and enjoying success?

[locky801]

Don't know how true it is but heard Roy absolutely hates flying, likes his feet well and truly on the ground, if thats the case guess it would rule him out of coaching AFL, and besides why would he want to leave a gold mine

[Sojourner]

If Matthew Knights can be considered a good candidate to coach in the AFL then Roy Laird is to me a better candidate.

People may feel that they need actual AFL experience which is fair enough, yet it also should be balanced by the fact that an SANFL coach has a much heavier burden of responsability than an AFL Assistant Coach and has significantly more accountability resting on his shoulders, for Laird to have achieved what he has suggests that he is a strong coaching person and I feel would do well in the drivers seat at an AFL club if given the opportunity.

People keep talking about a replacement for Mark Williams, if Williams leaves the Power I think Port dont really need to look any further than Laird to find a good candidate for the role.

[Simon_A]

Lairdy would make an exceptional AFL coach. But his passion for the club is second to none. He has publically announced on several occasions on TV that he isnt interested in coaching AFL. If rumours are true he has been approached before and refused.

[Whitelinefever]

Dennis Pagan,Gerad Neesham,Grant Thomas, Neil Craig...just to name a couple that played stuff all and in some cases no AFL at all.
Then you have guys who were legends of the AFL like Timmy Watson,Danny Frawley, and too many others cant mention them all that turned out to be complete duds.
I agree Roy may have to spend a bit of time to get a handle on the system,but no doubt he would have the nous and leadership qualities to excel as an AFL coach once familiar with it.
Cheers