Blue Vain wrote:
Ratts has improved enormously as a match day coach since his appointment. In fact, strategically I'd place him in the top half dozen.
The problem as I see it is being a senior coach now requires so much more. The senior coaching role in its current form places the coach as the club figurehead. He represents the club to its members, its supporters, the corporate world and potential partners.
His decisions and behaviours determine the clubs image of inclusiveness or exclusion. Footy clubs are about selling hope to the supporters and often that is determined by the messages presented by the coach.
Ratts is poor in this area. I have no doubt his lack of marketing and communication skills impact upon the clubs mediocre membership numbers.
To be blunt, we are still a bogan club trying to compete in a highly competitive environment that requires a multitude of skills to reach the top.
What is the answer? As I've stated previously, I'm not interested in compromising any areas required to achieve. The days of allowing a coach another 5 years to develop his deficiencies because he has strengths in other areas are for amateurs.
Yes Ratts could lead us to on field success but does that mean we should wear the rest of his deficiencies because thats the package? Not for me.
The club has 2 viable options in my opinion.
Get a person who will adequately meet the majority of criteria required. (Personally, I dont think theres anyone available)
Or, make a decision on what expectations are required in the role and get several people in to perform those roles well.
Obviously I prefer option 2 and if the club is fair dinkum, they should as well.
As I said Saturday, I'd give Ratten the senior match day role. I'd put him on equal footing with the development/recruiting department and put a program manager in above both areas to manage the football department. The program manager is required to balance the expectations of the football department, the clubs corporate and membership role and the long term viability of the list.
He would be the clubs face to the media, members and potential corporate partners. If we could get the right person to perform this role with universal respect, I'd expect a large amount of our current issues could be addressed.
BV, I've really enjoyed your posts on this. Much to ponder.
Could it really work?
It would take some advanced communication skills between the parties involved.
I have to disagree with the part about Ratts in the media.
He seems to have won the respect of journos, other players, and coaches. everyone likes him and admires his dogged tenacity in the face of fire, injuries, and the anti Ratts brigade at his own club.
You've got a lot of well respected AFL people sticking up for him. He does blither sometimes, and his verbal skills aren't as polished as many others, but...it's working because everyone now see him as the little battler, who can actually coach, and deserves a go.
That is not an image that all Carltonians will like..and learly they don't.
If we can keep him, magnify, and support his strengths, then I'm for it. If that means compromise..via the ways you suggest, then that might be a way forward.
Have someone polished for the Corporate stuff.
Look, surely there's enough talent in the coaching pool we have right now?
I see Ratts as growing, and improving all the time, and I can't see why, with some tweaking, he couldn't get us a flag. He has enough support staff around him. I reckon he's the Seabiscuit of the AFL. Tough, nuggety, doesn't look like a thoroughbred. You wouldn't pick him out in the crowd, and has been rejected by many.
Responds well to loyalty, and gives back in spades. That's Ratts to me.
I want him there next year if possible..even if in a shared role. no problem.
I like your ideas a lot.
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