It seems so; since 1966 anyway.

I've done a bit of research on this and it's by no means conclusive or set in concrete but....it's at least interesting to ponder.

As far as I can see in the last 100 seasons; 31 have been won by defenders; to which you will all cry ..."thats only a third!"

That's true; as the Flags won in the the first 50/60 odd years were won by sides predominately coached by inspiring ruckmen and in a few cases rovers E.G. (Jock McHale;with 8 Flags)


A list of Flags coached by defenders 1954 onwards..........................23 Flags.

Charlie Sutton..Foots...Back Pocket....1954.

Allan Jeans...St.K. Haw...Back Pocket Ruckman....1966-1983-1986-1989.

Tom Hafey..Richmond....Back Pocket....1967-1969-1973-1974.

David Parkin..Haw.Carl...Back Pocket....1978-1981-1982-1995.

Kevin Sheedy.Essendon*..Back Pocket....1984-1985-1993-2000.

Mick Malthouse..WCoast..Back Pocket....1992-1994.

Denis Pagan..NorthMelb..Back Pocket....1996-1999.

Tony Jewell..Richmond...HBFlanker....1980.

Paul Roos..Sydney....CHB....2005.


So....theres definitely an upward graph line for Premiership wins on

Coaches who have mainly played in defence isn't there?

It makes sense to me as they see more of the game from their vantage point on the ground; and they spend more time looking at the game if you like than onballers and forwards who are "in the game" more.

It doesn't mean all defenders will make good coaches does it?

Now that Paul Roos; a great attacking CHB who got his side up to win the Flag last year with what some experts say was negative football; will the trend continue?

Or will a "new breed" of young non defender Coaches emerge?

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No ones listening till you make a mistake.

I think the trend you noted will continue for some time, Warbs. Defenders often have not quite as much talent as the forwards or onballers, but have the self belief and drive to push themselves as far as they can go. This sort of thing is good coaching material.
Even SOS, one of the greatest defenders ever, did not have all the talent that some other guys had (just a lot more than most of our present list) - just look at his kicking! But he had great self belief and he was never beaten. He may be coach material.

interesting observation - you could take it further and suggest BPs make the best coaches!

whatever happened to our very own Jack O'connell or Des English?

cheers

Or taking it to its logical conclusion Ron Deulio who can thank his back pocket role in his final year to taking him over the 100 game mark.

Nice to see your around London Blue - you happy little vegemite you.

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"Hence you will not say that Greeks fight like heroes but that heroes fight like Greeks"?

Winston Churchill

It is interesting when you consider that John Coleman; arguably the greatest Full Forward ever; coached Essendon* to 2 Flags in 1962-65.

What/who makes a great coach?

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No ones listening till you make a mistake.

Dont forget "The Bombers" were derisively called "The Gliders" during the latter days of Dick Reynolds tenure as coach of The Scum, Coleman was able to add a bit of mongrel to their culture, but was greatly helped by tough men such as Bluey SHelton, Ken Fraser.

Notice how I never mentioned Ron Evans, who is just a gormless, gutless, rip off merchant who sells overpriced beer and pies at numerous AFL venues around Australia.

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"Hence you will not say that Greeks fight like heroes but that heroes fight like Greeks"?

Winston Churchill

Worsfold is doing a good job at the Eagles.

Karl Norman would make the step very easily

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Love Cricket? Love me

Don't forget Ratts started in the back pocket

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The most terrifying words in the English language are: I'm from the government and I'm here to help.

Ronald Reagan

Mark Harvey will probably become a very good coach when he finishes his apprenticeship in 2018.

or midway through '06 if the dockers get off to a bad start

Thats if he's lucky. I think he'll be the first ever coach to make changes via seonce.

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Love Cricket? Love me

Agro, agro, agro - you could never knock ronnie for his courage

what about Mario Bortlotto - perhaps our most famous BP and GF specialist.......did he ever go on to coach?

I agree that defenders are generally good coaches because they are often a few kicks behind the play therefore they are able to get a good view of the game and then can generally read the play better....................

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"Dont count the games, make the games count"

You can also see now forwards who generally have a higher profile favoring lucrative jobs in the media instead of coaching.

Dermott
Lyon
Carey

That's a good point....but why would they give up the good life for all the crap that goes with coaching?

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No ones listening till you make a mistake.