aboynamedsue wrote:
I have an irrational dislike of Alan Richardson for some reason.
Just thought I would share that.
Your completely valid feelings aside,
I think he is a great coach and the primary reason why the Saints are doing so well at the moment compared to, say, the Demons who I think have a much better list of players.
And this highlights the reason why a bunch of high draft picks does not guarantee success (e.g. Carlton, Melbourne, Brisbane, Gold Coast) and teams can achieve/maintain great success without many high picks (e.g. Hawthorn, Sydney, Geelong, Adelaide).
I think that the most important member of Hawthorn's dynasty was/is Clarkson who has adapted a game plan to suit his players and the times, and motivated the group to execute it and maintain the right winning intensity.
Similarly, Bolton is the most essential driver of our rebuild including teaching the players and developing a successful culture. SOS is playing a great role getting the right kids in the door. But who's to say that we'd have been able to debut 6 new players this season with a different coach in charge (think Malthouse, Pagan?). Who's to say that some of those high draft pick duds we've taken over the past 10 years couldn't have become great players with a better coach and club culture?
Yes, it looks like now we are placing more of a premium on mental application in our draftees rather than pure talent (Yarran, Menzel come to mind...). But I suspect that Bolton is playing an important role there as well.
Only one great coach in the system at the minute and as much as I hate him that's A Clarkson.
A Richardson has a fair way to go to being labelled "great".