Big Phil wrote:Ease up on the ribbing of Macgowan...
Yes, you are entitled to an opinion, but put yourself in his shoes...
It's up to the individual as to what their goals are and in Rick's case, he has an ambition to be involved at the highest level...
To say he is piss weak, is piss weak in itself. Yes, you are entitled to be disappointed that your coach is possibly leaving but no need to carry on and say he walked because it got too hard. Look at the circumstances and be fair in your assessment. It's not like Rick has been a Sturt man all his life and has some deep seeded loyalty to consider.
Roy Laird has had similar offers but his loyalty is to the Central District Football Club, because the club is his life, so he turns the offers back. That, and the fact that he has no passion, interest or desire to coach in the AFL says it all as well. Roy will be coach of Centrals as long as he wants. In Rick's case, he has that desire to be involved in the AFL and now is his opportunity so it looks like he will take it.
You say Macgowan who and that he has done nothing so far, but go back through the history of coaches appointed and so many would fall into the same kettle of fish. Clarkson inherited a pretty good Centrals team in 2001 and took them to a flag, then runners up in 2002 before getting the Hawthorn job a year after being an assistant at Port Power.
Rick's coaching record and football brain is pretty good overall, yes he has been disappointing in league finals of late, but if the shoe fits wear it I say. Clearly, Al Clarkson has a nice pair of shiny new shoes in the size of Mr Macgowan's foot. Again, put yourself in Rick's shoes, would you take a pay rise to do a similar job that is in actual fact bettering yourself. I think I know what I'd do...
If it does come to fruition, good luck at the hawks Ricko, I'll be cheering the brown and gold next year a little more...
Good post Phil, for those knockers Rick made his intensions clear of his goals for coaching at the highest level from the outset of his first interview with the Sturt Football Club, Sturt were more than happy & delighted to get someone like Rick who is a total professional onboard, they made it clear they wouldn't stand in his way if that opportunity arrose, i heard it was a tough decision for him to make & leave the Blues as he's been responsible for there rise up the ladder & knows that success aint to far away, his relationship with the players was outstanding, As tough as it is to make a decision like that & leave a club doesn't make him a failure, it proved his educated knowledge of the game was above alot of our coaches in our competition which warranted & deserved in Clarksons mind a shot at the big time.
These opportunity's don't come everyday & Rick knows that so he's done the right thing.
Well done to you Rick best of luck next year.
