Continuing in my stream-of-conciousness about RoLy’s coaching position and who will coach Freo in 2020, a year the club has earmarked as a return to serious relevancy. In a previous post, I suggested that some of the Derby fiasco could be interpreted as the players were somehow distracted and I intimated that this may have been because of jungle drums rumbling about RoLy not seeing out his full term at Freo. Then, Michael Barlow came out after the Derby and said (paraphrasing) that RoLy is definitely the right coach, if not at Freo, then elsewhere. While some who saw the picture of Tucker giving the stink-eye in Lyon’s direction (while Lyon was yawning) as contempt, it might also be interpreted that he was one who might be mad if Lyon left after promising to stay.
Plus, all the RoLy comments like “I’ve never been coaching better” and how “I’m the right man for the job (at Freo)” some may interpret as him being arrogant towards Freo fans. I see it as a way of telling potential suitors (like Carlton) that he’s available and confident in his abilities, a sort of job application through press conferences, especially with his recent “I’ve never asked for an extension” comment. And, now, Thursday’s Worst headline “Fremantle club president Dale Alcock can’t guarantee Ross Lyon’s will coach beyond 2020 after Dockers supporters call for his axing.” This has all of the hallmarks of Lyon’s last season at St Kilda before being poached by Freo. Lyon’s rationale was the Saints (a truly dysfunctional club who consistently makes wrong decisions) didn’t move strongly enough to offer him an extension, and Freo basically headhunted him for the job. Think Carltank; this is right up their alley: a young but potentially excellent list, a rich club, and a club who is prone to making the bold throw-cash-at-what-you-want kind of move. I’ve rated Carlton for a while, despite their recent poor form, and what Judd’s said in the past few days about Teague being a coach “with training wheels” cements in my mind that they’re after an experienced coach, a defensive-minded coach, one with runs on the board who has taken lists to a GF.
The other thing that I’ve been saying all along to the RoLy haters (especially the ones who organised and signed the petitions - there must be at least 2,000 of you): be careful of what you wish for in Lyon leaving: senior coaches with experience are thin on the ground (Longmire probably stays at the Swans, and do you really want B. Scott, Bolton, and potentially Pyke if he gets turfed out by the Crows), and the assistants gunning for senior roles include (spectacularly) failed past coaches (Voss), long-time assistants (Robert Harvey), newbie assistants (Longmuir, Cox). And, forget about the fantasy coach: no amount of money will move Clarkson or B. Kirk westwards.
Finally, don’t forget Sumich, who has been gunning for a WA-only senior job (didn’t go for senior jobs over east, and overlooked by the Weagles - their fans hated the idea of Sumich being their coach) and unwilling to move east for other assistant coaching roles that might have increased his profile. Instead, he coached a young WA state team that won a championship, a long, long way from an AFL gig. That Hagdorn and Hardie are his biggest boosters and coincidentally leaders in the sack-Lyon brigade rings alarm bells for me; who’s providing H & H with gossip-type intel about FFC? Sumich's attitude is that he wants FFC or bust.
The thing I go on are formal pronouncements from Lyon’s former players (Barlow, Pav, McPharlin, Spurr de Santo, Riewoldt) that he’s the best coach they’ve had. Add Son Son to this list as well, along with Hamling (Hamling on Lyon: He’s been brilliant. He’s taught me a lot in my three years here. I’d love to have him around for as long as we can).
I reckon if Carlton make Lyon an offer you can't refuse, then he's got a tough choice to make, which sounds facetious, but isn't meant to be. He'll go. (This is different to Freo making Clarkson an offer he can't refuse; Clarkson will stay).
The best case scenario? I reckon it's that Freo continue improving in 2019, be a very strong challenger for a premiership in 2020, and some coaching stability ensues.
