I like Ratts, but any decision to appoint him shouldn't be based on what the team does over the next five weeks. He either has what we're looking for as a long-term coach, or he doesn't. Surely the decision-makers know this already?

Remember Jeff Gieshen? How he came in as caretaker, won the last few games, and had richmond supporters imploring the club to 'unleash the giesh'

I'd be ok with Ratts, but the most important thing is the entire support team: development coaches, recruiters, psych support, medical support... gone are the days where one person could make the difference. I firmly believe that Swann and Icke have a handle on what an AFL club in the 21st Century should be doing. The senior coach is just the (very visible) tip of the iceberg.

It was good to see Ratts try to change some of the game plan and put his own stamp on things. He only had 5 days, and there were times were the players seemed a little confused or weren't sure what to do, but that should improve with team. Also good to hear Ratts say he would have a good look at the young kids for the rest of the year. The feedback from the players has been positive (although they always say that...). Melbourne fans were pretty positive about his work there and would like to have him back.

Only negative - Saddington was left as our loose man for too long. Needed to go on to Riewoldt as soon as he starting towelling up Waite. Waite would have been a lot more effective as the loose man - would read the play and run down the field better. Saddington actually did well in Riewoldt in the last...

Agree a bit with Dunstall that Voss is starting to sound pretty arrogant. Eg - they can come and talk to me if they want, I'm not contacting them (or something along those lines).

Ratts could be the man.

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Long live the Mighty Blues.

spot it is not just about getting Ratts or Voss it is about getting the entire football dept structured right for long term success

i think what is appealing to Swann and Icke is that, from all reports, Voss has a good strategy on the entire organisation, that is, what capabilities and resources he sees are required to be successful

is Voss a better coach of a football team than Ratts ? who know? Ratts seems to have shown on his first outing that he can coach

but even if Ratts is the best coach and the players love and play for him - if the players do not develop then success will not come ... we will be competitive but that's all

coaching is a team effort - one man will not be the magic silver bullet however he does need to have the ability to manage and develop 20 men on the field and possibiliy 20 others off the field too

it is in this context that the decision needs to be made... remember all coaches will have strengths and weakness. if that coach knows their abilities and compliment himself with the people who are the best on other areas then you have a winning team

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The glass is neither half full nor half empty. Rather the glass is twice as big than required.

There was definatley an improvment in Ratts first game coaching although it wasnt a huge improvment its a sign of good things to come i hope.

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Lawrence Lawrence, The man who knows all the rackets and all the racketeers!

Ratts would'nt have lost many friends on todays performance

Very competant media performer too.

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************************************************************
NOW YOU'RE JUST SOME CLUB THAT I USED TO KNOW.

I think we have our coach, people.

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WADA medical director Dr Alan Vernec describes Essendon* FC drug case as biggest scandal in team sport the world of sport has seen. #WC2WB

#GUILTY

Ratts for Coach. Our young players look like they can actually play the game now

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Mjonc signing off at 8888

Where have all those Vossy's the man people gone?

If we're competitive for the next four weeks, then I'd give Ratts the job. No blow outs please.

Where Voss has gone.....back to the safety of Channel 10 and Queensland.

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No ones listening till you make a mistake.

Obviously there's no more Voss camp because he has ruled himself out of contention

The imagination of some of Ratt's moves and matchups:

- Betts into the midfield (particularly at centre bounces) with his ability to read the opposition tap and bounce of the ball

- Russell to the forward line

- Jackson on Harvey last week

- Murph tagging Montagna

just to name a few

Pagan - your unimaginative, transparent gameplan coupled with your inability to embrace a bit of positive reinforcement for those who need it. You are a bully and a blight on this great club. What have you done to these kids? Watching the likes of Bower, Russell today, I'm just glad they appear to not be permanently damaged. Hopefully Grigg comes out the other end in tact.

Enjoy retirement you dud cause you certainly won't be coaching again.

oh yeah,

forgot to mention,

can't wait to see JK operating under a decent coach

honestly, how bad was pagan