My view is that the coaches are too reluctant to throw the magnets around when the current plan is not working.
The formula has not changed for years. Every player seems to pigeonholed into certain roles notwithstanding that rotating players through different positions would make us more dynamic and less predictable to play against.
When the coaches make a positional change, they will never go for the obvious moves i.e. Kozzy and Riv getting more CBA, playing Trac one out in the F50, or swinging Petty back to defence etc. But they will do something mind boggingly stupid, like experimenting with Salem as an onballer.
This is then compounded by us having too many of the same 'types'. We shouldn't be running with Oliver, Viney and Sparrow every week, particularly if Trac is playing majority on ball. We only really need two of those types. Give the third spot to a player that adds a point of difference to our midfield mix. Whether it be Laurie or Hunter (if coaches and players can forgive him for being a degenerate during the season).
The coaching group has their head is too far up their ass with trying to use analytics. Goodwin seems more concerned with hitting KPIs on I50s, scores from intercepts, and any metrics that pertain to contested footy. It is why Goodwin gets too hung up on things like 'brand', 'dna'and expected score. He can't follow the game as it unfolds and is unwilling/unable to adjust when the game is not being played on his terms.
The assistant coaches need a clean out. It would be good to get a new team in soon. Assistants that have the chutzpah to challenge Goodwin, and with the ambition and competitiveness to challenge for head coaching vacancies. Our coaching panel is too complacent and comfortable with their current station in life:
- Goodwin: will always be a "premiership coach" but I doubt he would have any suitors if he departed MFC. An average coach who rode the coattails of a talented team that peaked for 4 weeks in 2021.
- Richardson and Choco: both are happy to have a job at AFL level. Neither will get a sniff at head coaching again, and their next job (if any) will not be more senior than where they are at now
- McQualter: will be a longtime professional assistant coach. Staying longterm on a sliding MFC team will be bad for his CV though.
- Stafford: he's just happy to be here. Offers nothing. Only skill is being Gawn's mate. I genuinely think BBB has something to offer as a forwards coach when he retires from playing BUT I would hate it if he got the gig at MFC. We desperately need outside voices to challenge the status quo, not another numpty from the boys club.
