Buckley v Malthouse

[Cruiseon]

This seems to be front line news everywhere but we've rightfully steered clear of it in here.

I'm not particularly happy about how 2012 is panning out on-field (although I'm on the record saying I expected it) and I am never happy about losing to Carlton.  However Buckley's words in his press conference proved to me that we have a great leader at the helm. Balanced, calm, measured, honest and defusing. I very much hope Eddie was on the side taking notes.

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/buckley-backs-malthouses-right-to-comment-20120417-1x4ii.html

[Fletch74]

I must admit Mick seems to have a chip on his shoulder. I know he's expected to be a critic, now that he's in the media, but he's not given one ounce of support to Buckley, yet he's fully behind Neeld and McKenna who are both 0-3 ??

[valkorum]

I must admit Mick seems to have a chip on his shoulder. I know he's expected to be a critic, now that he's in the media, but he's not given one ounce of support to Buckley, yet he's fully behind Neeld and McKenna who are both 0-3 ??

Clearly Melbourne and the Gold Coast have inferior lists compared to Collingwood.  McKenna has been on a development plan since the clubs inception.  Neeld has a rabble of a list that needs work in every facet (Skills, Culture etc)

[PowerBug]

Eddie McGuire said that Mick fell for the trap set by the media for him to speak up on the Pies harshly. Yet i believe that Eddie has fallen into the trap that Mick has set up by speaking back. :P


Mick Malthouse is a footy commentator/expert/writer, he is not assosciated with the Collingwood Football Club anymore and has the right to say what he wants.

[ossie85]

What Mick said was fair and reasoned.

Eddie made this story. Which is unfortunate.

The Pies aren't as good this year, but I'm not sure if it is because of the change of coach.

[Fletch74]

Perhaps it's the fact that the players have a lost a true mentor, someone a lot of them have played most of their time with, as well being a successful coach, that is hindering their performance?

They were talking about this on Footy Classified last night...

[ossie85]

Perhaps it's the fact that the players have a lost a true mentor, someone a lot of them have played most of their time with, as well being a successful coach, that is hindering their performance?

They were talking about this on Footy Classified last night...

Could be indeed Fletch.

I think another important factor is that the Pies have made the last 6 final series - no other team (even Geelong) has done that, for 4 top 4 finishes (including a flag and runners-up). Hunger decreasing and fatigue could well be an issue.

I'm not writing them off btw, but the Malthouse-Buckley issues could well be the main cause, but so many other issues attached.

[Cruiseon]

A bit of a strange response from Malthouse, he knows the media and how it latches onto Collingwood news better than almost anyone in the country. It will be interesting how he handles commenting on ANZAC Day in a couple of weeks, especially if it is broadcast live.

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/pies-row-causes-malthouse-to-query-media-job-20120417-1x5me.html

[Cruiseon]

Of course this is yesterday's news for now after a gusty win yesterday. It's a fickle world.

My two cents. I thought Buckly coached really well yesterday. I liked Goldsack as a defensive forward against Fletcher, Clarke on Stanton reaped big rewards for a large show of faith and when Jolly was getting thrashed early, some smart rotations worked well. I know there is a massive team to make these decisions but strategically we had Essendon covered. One exception is that I still think we are exposed by pace in our backline, no sure how we cover that off.

I still think our bottom 4-5 players are pretty poor but there is not much Buckley can do about that.

[McRooster]

Problem is that Buckley is not a great leader, he was a great player. He listened to Mick whilst under his tutelage but only listened to what he wanted to hear.

Even as Captain, Buckley played for himself, often on the cheap ball receive and tried to lead by the execution of his skill set and talent, failing in his directive to lift those around him with strong on field instruction. Maxwell, who is not a great player, is a great leader and lifts those around him with endeavor, determination and understanding.

Maxwell knows what his mates are capable of and commands it of them like a conductor in front of an orchestra, even when the percussion section has run out of puff. Stand on the boundary line at a Pies game and the loudest voice on field is Maxwell. Buckley though is more of a lead guitarist who goes off on an extended solo riff whilst the rest of the band is strumming a different tune.

Micks media frustration ebbs from the fact he knows, deep in his gut, despite arrangements made years back, Buckley has not made it up to speed before taking the reigns and Mick feels responsible for not delivering on the tutelage of Eddies prodigal son.

* I built a car about 15 years ago, a Fiat 124 Sports AC. It had fully imported Italian leather interior, a Lancia 1800cc motor with twin 44mm Webers, full Nolathane suspension, fully sick, totally done, cost around 20k to complete. It smashed all my mates rotaries and big blocks for handling and acceleration, plus it looked flowering sexy and could take on anything.

Then I sold it. Traded it in on a VL Calais V8. Beautiful car, but it was peer pressure that forced me into buying it. In one foul swoop I had lost all my class, performance and heritage for the sake of the newer, more popular, under performing V8.

I have seen my old Fiat many times since on the road and the bloke driving it has really let it go.

I know how Mick feels  :'(

[ossie85]

Problem is that Buckley is not a great leader, he was a great player. He listened to Mick whilst under his tutelage but only listened to what he wanted to hear.

Even as Captain, Buckley played for himself, often on the cheap ball receive and tried to lead by the execution of his skill set and talent, failing in his directive to lift those around him with strong on field instruction. Maxwell, who is not a great player, is a great leader and lifts those around him with endeavor, determination and understanding.

I would agree with Buckley's poor leadership skills at the BEGINNING of his career (much of that I blame Tony Shaw for), but I thought his skills improved dramatically. Buckley is a perfectionist. I think he realised his deficiencies in leadership, and taught himself to be a leader. By the end of his career (2002 onwards) he was one of the best leaders in the competition - on par or just below Hird.

Everyone loves Voss. I did as a player. But as a coach I feel he is shown more of his ego. Listen to him talk, I keep hearing "I" and "Me" statements. With Buckley, he handled the recent controversy very smoothly. Always referencing "us" and "the team".

Buckley's not a natural leader, no. But like everything else, he was determined to be perfect. And I think he is the better for it.