Essendon Coach

[Swooper16]

I think most people on here have conceded that Essendon list is worthy of probably winning 4- 6 games at best (which they are on track with at the moment). I think a bit of credit needs to go to Knights. At least Essendon are having a go at trying to play an exciting, quick brand of footy. They dont quite have the players but they are not going to die wondering. They could do what most other teams do and that is get numbers behind the ball, chip it round and only get beaten by 3 - 6 goals and in the process bore the hell out of everyone watching.

I would rather watch the bombers then 75% of the competition at the moment and i dont even support them.

[wobbly knees]

i am a bomber fan and i couldnt sit and watch them last year. this year isn't going so well but at least i can sit and watch the magic happen when they string it together cos when they do it is great to see it's when they give the ball up to easy with poor disposal ( ALL TO REGULARLY ) its frustrating but not boring to watch like chipping around the back half for most of the quarter waiting to turn over the ball like last year. How good dose it look when davey, lovett murray and co go streaming down the guts or a wing burning off the wanna be tacklers its great to see.

well thats some of my thoughts on the situation anyway.

[McAlmanac]

I think most people on here have conceded that Essendon list is worthy of probably winning 4- 6 games at best (which they are on track with at the moment). I think a bit of credit needs to go to Knights. At least Essendon are having a go at trying to play an exciting, quick brand of footy. They dont quite have the players but they are not going to die wondering. They could do what most other teams do and that is get numbers behind the ball, chip it round and only get beaten by 3 - 6 goals and in the process bore the hell out of everyone watching.

I would rather watch the bombers then 75% of the competition at the moment and i dont even support them.

Knights sold himself to the board by suggesting they could make the 8. Injuries have cruelled them, but he has to take some heat for the floggings he is exposing young blokes to.

The Essendon supporters around me last night didn't sound entertained.

[smac]

Knights sold himself to the board by suggesting they could make the 8.

I've heard this a hell of a lot, is it actually true or is it some story that has grown legs on footy forums?

The Essendon board have done a couple of strange things but they are a fairly clued up mob and simply picking a bloke based on such a statement sounds like it could be a fairytale.

[Dirko]

Knights sold himself to the board by suggesting they could make the 8.

I've heard this a hell of a lot, is it actually true or is it some story that has grown legs on footy forums?

The Essendon board have done a couple of strange things but they are a fairly clued up mob and simply picking a bloke based on such a statement sounds like it could be a fairytale.

IIRC, Hardwick sold the job as a rebuild, where the Board didn't want that. Knights said he'd get them into the 8 and the rest is history...

Personally I think they went for Knight to keep the Richmond thing at heart

[smac]

But what is the source of that info Jabber? I'm really curious, because I can't imagine the board releasing that as a reason for appointing him.

Did someone make that up and everyone has just believed it?

[McAlmanac]

Knights sold himself to the board by suggesting they could make the 8.

I've heard this a hell of a lot, is it actually true or is it some story that has grown legs on footy forums?

The Essendon board have done a couple of strange things but they are a fairly clued up mob and simply picking a bloke based on such a statement sounds like it could be a fairytale.

Upon his appointment: "Essendon has a good young list and a very exciting future," Knights said.

Courtney Johns....

[smac]

Ah, so it's a story then. Thanks.

[BUZZ]

I think Knightsy's credentials are a bit more solid than lip service, that story would be fabricated i think..........

[McAlmanac]

I think Knightsy's credentials are a bit more solid than lip service, that story would be fabricated i think..........

What are his credentials (other than as a player)?

[smac]

I think it's both easy and harsh to slam the guy 7 weeks into his coaching career when he has an injury list as long as John Holmes appendage and is introducing a new style of play.

I agree he isn't particularly well qualified as a coach, but few are when they first start out.

[BUZZ]

I think Knightsy's credentials are a bit more solid than lip service, that story would be fabricated i think..........

What are his credentials (other than as a player)?

As smac said, where are anyones in their first year?

[McAlmanac]

All first year AFL coaches today have a record of success elsewhere, either as head coach in a second tier league or as an assistant at AFL level.

Clarkson at Central.
Lyon at Sydney.
Harvey at Essendon.
Even Dean Bailey at Mt Gravatt and Port.

All involved in premierships.

What successful setup has Matthew Knights been involved with?

[Hondo]

If the stories on 3AW are true the players are happy and enjoying the new game style. McVeigh was emerging as one of the best players in the comp under Knights. Without the injuries they'd be fairly competitive - its really only the last 2-3 weeks things have gone off the rails after the team's been decimated.

But I question if he has expected too much too quickly from his young team in terms of the fitness levels his game plan demands and what % of the injuries are a direct result of big increase in work-load. I wonder if the players are getting too tired to properly take care of the defensive side of their games.

If he has promised instant success then maybe he feels he can't stage the changes out over 2 years and is trying to make it all happen yesterday. He may need to re-assess where his list is at and re-set some of his goals.

5-6 years ago it was the young Geelong team copping all the injuries now they are older, stronger and fitter and it's all working out. Nothing beats having a strong core of experienced 23-28 year old players, which is what Knights doesn't have.

[BUZZ]

All first year AFL coaches today have a record of success elsewhere, either as head coach in a second tier league or as an assistant at AFL level.

Clarkson at Central.
Lyon at Sydney.
Harvey at Essendon.
Even Dean Bailey at Mt Gravatt and Port.

All involved in premierships.

What successful setup has Matthew Knights been involved with?

Fair call, he had some success with their reserves side last year i think, that would certainly have put a feather in his cap.

[smac]

All first year AFL coaches today have a record of success elsewhere, either as head coach in a second tier league or as an assistant at AFL level.

Clarkson at Central.
Lyon at Sydney.
Harvey at Essendon.
Even Dean Bailey at Mt Gravatt and Port.

All involved in premierships.

What successful setup has Matthew Knights been involved with?

3 out of 4 on that list are hardly shining examples... A 25% strike rate isn't what I would be emulating - in fact I'd try something different!

[pom pom]

SJABC, do you really believe a league clubs board would appoint someone just because they "SAY" they will get their team playing finals that same year!? Gee Wizz if that all it takes I, POM POM should have applied! Could have done with $$500 Gees!
Give Knightsy a fair go!

[Hondo]

I'd say all the new coaches are finding things tougher than anyone thought

Knights was mostly panned but Bailey and Harvey were painted as young Norm Smith's. After 7 rounds, it's Knights getting all the flack but the other 2 not so much. Is that because so many had judged Knights before he started and now can't wait to roll out the "I told you so" 's?

Ditto Ross Lyon it's only now hard questions are being asked it seems.

Judge all of them after a couple of seasons or at least wait until the end of this one.

[McAlmanac]

SJABC, do you really believe a league clubs board would appoint someone just because they "SAY" they will get their team playing finals that same year!? Gee Wizz if that all it takes I, POM POM should have applied! Could have done with $$500 Gees!
Give Knightsy a fair go!

To be fair, I agree to some extent. But Essendon is a very conservative club and they went (IMO) for the conservative appointment in selecting a man already involved in the club. Armed with local knowledge, he would have told them what they wanted to hear.

[McAlmanac]

I'd say all the new coaches are finding things tougher than anyone thought

Knights was mostly panned but Bailey and Harvey were painted as young Norm Smith's. After 7 rounds, it's Knights getting all the flack but the other 2 not so much. Is that because so many had judged Knights before he started and now can't wait to roll out the "I told you so" 's?

Ditto Ross Lyon it's only now hard questions are being asked it seems.

Judge all of them after a couple of seasons or at least wait until the end of this one.

Dean Bailey - hardly a young Norm Smith; his appointment was greeted with a fair amount of shock.

Mark Harvey - hardly a young Norm Smith; more greeted with an "about time" reaction.

Ross Lyon - the Saints are 4-3 playing in a not-so-rich vein of form. Sounds alright to me. People don't like the game plan but - tough.

I agree with your last sentence, but I still maintain Matthew Knights must have said something in the interview process to paper over the cracks in his coaching CV.