senior coach – Michmutters

Tag: senior coach

Categories
Sports

Essendon Bombers review, changes, tension between Adrian Dodoro and Josh Mahoney, coaching staff, Ben Rutten future, Blake Caracella, latest

Essendon Bombers review, changes, tension between Adrian Dodoro and Josh Mahoney, coaching staff, Ben Rutten future, Blake Caracella, latest

Veteran journalist Caroline Wilson reports off-field changes loom at Essendon following the completion of the club’s review amid tensions emerging between list boss Adrian Dodoro and head of football Josh Mahoney.

The Bombers recently completed an in-depth review of their football department — the club’s second in three years — in a bid to address the 2021 finalists’ drop off this season — currently sitting 14th on the ladder with a 7-13 record.

Wilson reports Ben Rutten’s position is safe despite pressure on the senior coach earlier this year in just his second campaign at the helm, however she states there’ll be other moves made to the footy department including uncertainty around Blake Caracella’s position.

Watch every blockbuster AFL match this weekend Live & Ad-Break Free In-Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

NEW FOX FOOTY PODCAST — Finals fight down to 10 amid a Blue’s big bump and Crows camp fallout

Listen below or subscribe in Apple Podcasts or Spotify

“The review’s been done … there will be changes,” Wilson told Channel 9’s Footy Classified.

“The coach is safe, Ben Rutten will remain, there will be movement beneath Ben Rutten.

“I’m told there are still real problems there, we know (CEO) Xavier Campbell is still under the pump.

“There is some genuine tension between Adrian Dodoro and Josh Mahoney, which is disappointing.

“I’m not sure where Blake Caracella is going to be next year, but he also has a rock solid two years left on a highly paid contract, but he will definitely be in a different role next year if he’s there at all.”

Wilson reports there’s tension between Dodoro and Mahoney (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)Source: FOX SPORTS

Asked for more context around the strain between Dodoro and Mahoney, Wilson said: “Lack of support for each other.”

Essendon legend Matthew Lloyd revealed he’s heard the club will bolster its coaching staff and support Rutten with another assistant coach for next year.

Wilson added that despite Campbell earlier this season signing a two-year extension, she held concerns about his future if the Bombers don’t bounce back in 2023.

Campbell took over as Essendon chief in 2014, with the club playing finals in four of the nine campaigns since but failing to record a win in the post-season.

“I think Essendon needs to have a good next year. I know he’s just signed a new contract, and I like Xavier Campbell, I’m a supporter of Xavier Campbell. I thought the personal attacks on him earlier this year were really unfair,” she said.

“But 2-3 three ears ago he was Gillon McLachlan’s man most likely (to succeed him as AFL chief). There are now four or five CEOs ahead of him for the top job at the AFL.

“I just think his performance as CEO, particularly where the footy has been concerned, has been pretty woeful. The decisions haven’t worked out for him, a lot of footy managers who haven’t worked out.”

It comes as the Bombers this week announced an all-time membership record of 84,778 in 2022.

.

Categories
Sports

Brodie Grundy Melbourne meeting, Collingwood contract, Cameron Zurhaar Essendon, Dyson Heppell Gold Coast

Brodie Grundy Melbourne meeting, Collingwood contract, Cameron Zurhaar Essendon, Dyson Heppell Gold Coast

Brodie Grundy’s link to the Dees has strengthened after three key Melbourne figures met with the Pies ruck.

Plus while Essendon remains in negotiations with its skipper, it’s flagged preliminary interest in a North forward.

Get the latest player movement news and updates in AFL Trade Whispers!

Watch every blockbuster AFL match this weekend Live & Ad-Break Free In-Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

NEW FOX FOOTY PODCAST — Finals fight down to 10 amid a Blue’s big bump and Crows camp fallout

Listen below or subscribe in Apple Podcasts or Spotify

KEY DEES TRIO MEET WITH PIES STAR

Not only is Melbourne interested in Brodie Grundy, the club has met with the star ruckman, according to Sportsday reporter Sam McClure.

the Herald Sun reported on Tuesday night that the Demons, as well as Geelong, had emerged as “potential new suitors” for Grundy, who’s now central to ample trade speculation despite being contracted to the Pies until the end of 2027 on a deal reportedly worth around $1 million per season.

Giants football boss Jason McCartney was seen meeting Grundy’s manager last month, while Port Adelaide has also been linked to the dual All-Australian.

Speaking on 3AW’s sports day on Tuesday night, McClure said the Dees had been proactive and met with Grundy “in recent days”.

“Simon Goodwin was definitely there, Alan Richardson was definitely there and Max Gawn was definitely there,” McClure told 3AW.

Jamie Elliot signs with Feet until 2025 | 00:37

“Clearly Melbourne are of the belief that Luke Jackson is going to Fremantle, so they are on the lookout early and are getting in early in the queue for a direct replacement.”

While Jackson appears increasingly likely to request a trade to Fremantle, the Demons are keen to continue with a two-ruck strategy — and pairing Gawn and Grundy would bring together two of the AFL’s premier ruckmen in the past decade.

Collingwood coach Craig McRae declared on Fox Footy’s AFL 360 last month he wanted Grundy at the club next season, but remained tight-lipped on whether he was up for trade.

Grundy, who hasn’t played an AFL game since Anzac Day due to a knee issue, had been nearing a return to the AFL before suffering a stress fracture in his ankle in a VFL match, ruling him out for the rest of the home and away season.

BOMBERS EYE OFF-CONTRACT ROO

Gun Kangaroos goalkicker Cameron Zurhaar has received “preliminary” interest from Essendon, SEN reports.

Zurhaar, who’s been one of the Kangaroos’ most important forward 50 players over the past four seasons, in May put off contract talks, with his manager Anthony McConville telling the Herald Sun the timing was “not right to have fruitful discussions”.

That call to park negotiations, though, came before North parted ways with senior coach David Noble. And Zurhaar has been in excellent form under caretaker coach Leigh Adams, booting 13 goals from his past four games — including four from 18 disposals and seven marks against Essendon in Round 20 — to take his season tally to a career-high 32.

Bombers inflict more misery on Kangaroos | 01:11

SEN reported the Bombers had “some interest” in Zurhaar, but the Roos also had hope he would re-sign with them after a senior coach is appointed.

The report also suggested the Bombers are looking to acquire a big-bodied midfielder during the AFL exchange period.

Zurhaar, 24, has blossomed at North since being selected as a rookie in 2016.

He’s been among the top two leading goalkickers at the club for the past four straight years, including topping the table in 2020 with 18 majors from 16 games.

HEPPELL GRILLED OVER FRESH SUNS LINK

Essendon skipper Dyson Heppell has been quizzed about his playing future amid reports of a juicy Gold Coast offer.

As Heppell weighs up a one-year offer to stay at Essendon, the Suns have reportedly upped their offer to the veteran defender and are prepared to offer him a two-year deal with the potential of a coaching future at the club post-playing career. .

While no formal deal had been tabled yet, SEN reported on Tuesday the Suns were preparing a four-year offer that would likely entail two seasons as a player then two as an assistant coach.

Suns succumb to Hawks hot streak | 02:07

Speaking to TV reporters on Tuesday, Heppell said his manager and the Bombers were “working through” negotiations, adding he was hopeful “something will be sorted soon.”

Asked if he was torn on his decision, Heppell told reporters: “We’re working through that at the moment. I’m really just honing in on trying to finish off the year well with the Dons and see how we go from there.”

Asked if a longer term deal would be more appealing, Heppell said: “Who knows at the moment? Everything will get sorted ASAP. I’m just trying to lead the club as best as I possibly can.”

As an unrestricted free agent, Heppell could walk to another club without a trade being made.

.

Categories
Sports

Ken Hinkley contract, David Koch comments, will he coach next year, Port Adelaide, Mark Robinson

Ken Hinkley contract, David Koch comments, will he coach next year, Port Adelaide, Mark Robinson

AFL 360 co-host Mark Robinson believes Port Adelaide president David Koch “made an error of judgment” with recent comments about the club’s football department.

Koch told FIVEaa this week “every single person’s role” would be assessed at the end of the season, which has seen the Power drop out of finals contention after back-to-back preliminary final runs.

Senior coach Ken Hinkley is contracted until 2023, but a question mark remains over whether he’ll continue in the role, despite Hinkley himself at this stage still expecting to be there next year.

Watch every blockbuster AFL match this weekend Live & Ad-Break Free In-Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

Koch statement awkward for Hinkley? | 01:36

Koch’s comment, “turn it around or watch out”, drew criticism from Robinson.

“David Koch has been a tremendous president but he made an error of judgment in my opinion by saying what he said,” Robinson posed.

“I don’t think he gets football in the sense where if he knew this was going to be the fallout – that every media organization in Australia is going to be looking at it saying ‘are you going to get rid of him or not’ – that’s not how to treat a guy who has been there for 10 years.

“Just hold the horses a little bit. I think that’s been the fallout from this.”

Robinson labeled the comments “footy-naive”, but added they should not be misinterpreted as a call for prospective coaches to make their intentions known.

“What Koch said yesterday was not an open invitation for Alastair Clarkson’s people to ring the club,” he said.

“I know that’s been floating around … but that’s not my information.”

.

Categories
Sports

North Melbourne all bid for Alastair Clarkson, meeting, Eddie McGuire report, future, GWS Giants, coaching great, latest

North Melbourne has gone “all in” on trying to sign Alastair Clarkson as their next senior coach, according to former Collingwood president Eddie McGuire.

Clarkson is currently being courted by both North and Greater Western Sydney, but McGuire believes the Kangaroos are “a real chance” of landing the four-time premiership coach.

North parted ways with former coach David Noble a month ago after just 38 games in charge and Leigh Adams has been caretaker in Noble’s stead.

Watch every blockbuster AFL match this weekend Live & Ad-Break Free In-Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

NEW FOX FOOTY PODCAST — Six polarizing finals contenders, latest trade whispers

Listen below or subscribe in Apple Podcasts or Spotify

“Alastair Clarkson has met with Sonja Hood, the president of the North Melbourne Football Club,” McGuire told Channel 9.

Clarkson’s manager James Henderson told McGuire that the meeting went “very well” and that it was “a worthwhile experience”.

The former Hawthorn coach plans to meet with the Kangaroos again, as well as the Giants, in the coming fortnight.

“North Melbourne have gone all in on Alastair Clarkson, there is no Plan B at the moment,” McGuire said.

“If he doesn’t go (to North) they’ll come up with a Plan B, but they’ve shown that they want him.”

McGuire believes that Clarkson is now seriously contemplating coaching again next year, rather than waiting until 2024 to re-enter the fray.

The Roos are going hard at Clarkson (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

READ MORE

‘I wasn’t heard’: Betts calls out AFL in revealing interview as camp saga explodes

AFL Trade Whispers: Another suitor emerges for star Pies ruck

AFLPA responds to Betts’ camp claims amid shock over ‘convenient’ union statement

“His management have said, ‘You know you don’t have to coach next year?’ And I think he’s thought, ‘You know what? I’m a coach, so I’m going to coach’, and North are now a real chance I reckon to maybe land this bloke,” McGuire said.

“But he wants to bring his own team, and I think he’s put his team together and part of his thinking might well be do they all want to live in GWS? Or can we do this at North Melbourne?

“There’s a bit going on in this story but there’s no doubt the list at GWS attracts Alastair Clarkson, but the romance and maybe the practicalities mean that he could well be the coach of North Melbourne.”

North have not interviewed anyone else for their vacant coaching job, according to McGuire.

“Until he says, ‘No,’ Clarkson’s the man,” McGuire said.

Former St Kilda and Fremantle coach Ross Lyon liked the Kangaroos’ “singular focus” in their approach.

“They really need to go all in, it’s a really good sign,” Lyon said.

“If he can bring his key people… those real pillars of success around him, he knows what needs to be done, he knows who to bring.

“It’s a super plan and I think he gets time there. No one expected them to make the eight, they’ve got green shoots, they’ve got a young midfield.

“He’ll build a great environment.”

.