Prodigy takes his first tentative steps
The Age
Saturday February 19, 2011
THE state of Essendon's list is such that there is more love for the coaches at the moment than the players, with the possible exception of Dustin Fletcher.It isn't that those running around in red and black don't stir the heart of those who bleed red and black in the stands, it's just that there is a lot of love for the coach(es). And for that read the two premiership captains. The charmed golden (haired) boy and the man who had been to the summit with Essendon and elsewhere (best not mention the name) but had returned to help his club and his mate. This was the most significant of James Hird's summer of baby steps towards becoming a senior coach. They have been babysteps in the true manner of learning something new, for behind him has been Mark Thompson holding the toddler's hand. That is not to patronise for that was the club's intent Hird the unproven but promising, Thompson the proven who wished for a life of care without responsibility.The first time Hird appeared on the ground it was with Thompson at his side. They walked in lock-step to the 50 to observe the warm-up. Thompson stood an appropriate half step behind. At the first break Hird hovered over boards and sheets as Thompson walked through the group talking to players. Hird pulled Thompson aside, and Thompson only, to confer over the boards and plans at the first break. But instructively when the group finally came in to hear words from the coach it was from James' mouth the words came. Thompson did not stand at his shoulder but, appropriately, scouted around behind the team circling.This was a coaching double act, but it was one where the roles appeared to be well and cleverly defined. This was the truest of coaching baby steps for it was in a competition that by virtue of its own abbreviated format and altered rules is vastly different to what the side will confront in a month. It was also against an undermanned side.Much looked the same about Essendon in a personnel sense. Paddy Ryder began forward and Michael Hurley also occupied that territory. They still relied heavily on Jobe Watson to win the ball and ferret it to others.Essendon throttled the Brisbane Lions in that pseudo coaching debut but you had the sense that Hird and Thompson would have been quite as happy had they not. Afterall, attacking football was not Essendon's problem under Matthew Knights.
© 2011 The Age
