From the Ballarat Courier
Reported by Melanie Whelan
Full article - Click here
LEGENDARY VFL coach Gerard FitzGerald will not be reappointed at the Roosters’ helm.
North Ballarat Roosters tonight released a statement via social media that the board would not extend FitzGerald’s contract, which ends this season.
“This decision sends a message of change within the club for its next stage of development as it enters the VFL as a standalone team in 2016,” the statement read.
“The board continues to review the organisation's football structure to ensure that the club is well positioned for sustained success in the VFL. The board believes that these changes will be necessary to ensure that the club can be competitive in the ever evolving VFL landscape.”
Fitzgerald has agreed to coach out the season.
In reply to That's right Jimbob, Digs is by Due North
Over the past four years the Roosters have been 41 wins and 34 losses, and even if you include this season they are still above 50% win-loss, which is no mean feat in the VFL.
Yet it is ok for 'Digs' to personally attack the board as individuals and as a whole in private and VERY public forums.
Just because a group of old timers do not agree with change or the decisions being made does not make the decisions wrong.
The issue is no reasoning for the decisions has been given when strong reasoning for retaining Fitzgerald exists. Again, some key questions that remain unanswered:
Why did the board ignore the recommendation of the football department review to reappoint Fitzgerald?
Why did the new board's review not include consultation with players?
And why a decision was made before the board had met with Footy Victoria to 'get an understanding' of what's required as a stand alone club?
Without all those things, how could the board know that Fitzgerald isn't the best candidate?
In reply to Due North wrote:The Clubs by paul
2015 - 3 wins from 10 games (currently 13th of 15 on ladder)
2014- 10 wins from 18 games (7th of 16)
2013 - 8 wins from 18 games (10th of 14)
2012 - 9 wins from 18 games (9th of 13)
46% win loss ratio over this period - with one finals experience - scraping into the 8 in 2014. Also given that North Melbourne have had a relatively strong list recently = Pretty average in my book. But don't let the facts get in the way of a good story hey
As for Digs, he's the one making personal attacks through the local media.
The past four years would include 2011. Regardless, 46% win-loss since 2012 is hardly a poor result, especially with limited North Melbourne contribution and several experienced premiership players moving on.
Once again though, what benchmarking was done to establish whether this performance was good, bad or in between?
Why did the board ignore the recommendation of the football department review to reappoint Fitzgerald?
Why did the new board's review not include consultation with players?
And why was a decision made before the board had met with Footy Victoria to 'get an understanding' of what's required as a stand alone club?
Without all those things, how could the board know that Fitzgerald isn't the best candidate?
Paul, you have asked those same questions three times now with no response from the two recently-joined posters from up the Western Hwy, makes you wonder why, they were quick enough to respond to digs posts .......
Speaking of digs, is he one of the 'doyens' pictured in the Courier article listed in News from the Web opposite?
Fitzy's 'sacking' discussed during the half-time break of the TV game, seems the Ch7 blokes are puzzled about the Roosters decision also.
Hey folks I don't wanna buy too much into the internal machinations of the North Ballarat footy club, but they last won a premiership in 2010. Someone mentioned Mick Malthouse on here. He was the AFL premiership coach that year and he's been "sacked" twice since... Sometimes a new voice is needed. Not saying I agree with the decision, I've got no idea. But things do have to change to stay fresh. Tough game footy.
In reply to Digs, what is it that you are by Jimbob
I think you will find the vast majority of the footy club including players, supporters & the general vfl public are shocked at the move of the club.
What budget and Fitzy had to work with the past 3-5 seasons?
Why would it be fitzys problem the club currently has 20 players on its injury list?
How can fitzy be accountable for that?
The questions I'd like to ask is this.
1 You have decided to no renew fitzys contract. Are players happy with this decision?
2 why do I get the sense the club seems to want to be more focused on North City in the BFL?
3 why is there only four board members?