Specialist State coach?

Submitted by NorthPort on
This was suggested over at [URL=http://www.searchingkangaroo.com/forum/upload/index.php?act=ST&f=6&t=16… Searching Kangaroo[/URL] and was also something I had given a little thought to. Gerard FitzGerald has had good success coaching the Big V to wins against both the SANFL and the WAFL. As he is no longer coaching a VFL Senior side, should the VFL appoint him or a Coach not involved in the VFL as a specialist state coach? Or should the job be given to a current coach in the VFL? Would a coach not aligned to a club be an advantage?
Forums
The Big V - Victorian State Side & Representative Football.
rico Thu, 11 Nov 2004 - 21:50
Just a personal view , but I've always believed an unaligned coach is the best option for representative sides , but time and exposure to VFL players is the obvious drawback. Gerard's involvement with the under 18s now would probably preclude him as he wouldn't have the same connection with the VFL he has enjoyed in the past. I dont know what his plans for this year are , but I wonder how someone like Anthony Allen would go ? He has a background with Sandy , Box Hill and now Port ; a truly personal faith in VFL footy per se ; a good knowledge of current VFL players and if he was appointed early enough he could perhaps look at getting a squad together for 6 weeks or so rather than just a quick 'run through' for a few days before the game.
NorthPort Topic starter Tue, 21 Dec 2004 - 20:41
Any news on whether the VFL have appointed a coach for the Big V? With the game being played in May, the coach will have to be shortlisting players as early as the pre-season.
Dolphin Tue, 21 Dec 2004 - 21:46
Time to throw up a smokey! Don't be surprised to see the VFL appoint Phil Partington as coach of the VFL side. He coached Frankston for the last half of 2002 with a pretty fair strike rate, and since then has been working with both the Tasmanians on the Victorian clubs forward scouting and done a lot of work with the VFL for last years State game. Has a lot of respect from the VFL heavies. If they want an unaligned couch with no other obligations, Parto culd be their man.
boroughboy Thu, 23 Dec 2004 - 17:45

In reply to do Dolphin Senior about Phil Partington coaching the State side, well you'd have to be kidding. Whiteanted Robbie Mace to get the gig at Frankston and sucks up to Stillman at the VFL to be a State selector. C'mon be serious!
Dolphin Thu, 23 Dec 2004 - 18:54
boroughboy wrote:...............and sucks up to Stillman at the VFL to be a State selector.
That is my point exactly. I didn't mean that he SHOULD, just that he possibly WOULD.
kaos Wed, 29 Dec 2004 - 13:10
Our coach Mark Williams would have to be a shoo in to coach the VFL team this year . Won the Flag this year and was involved in State Team this year. Dolphin, As a long time Dee supporter and curious onlooker why didn't Partington continue with the Dolphins. By memory he won many games when he coach. You beat us (Sandy) very easy when Graeme Yeats was coaching us. He has been around the VFL & VFA for along time. I remember him as a player for Melb & Dandy. Obvious he knows the Comp and not quite sure how you can suck up to be a State selector.
Dolphin Wed, 29 Dec 2004 - 18:31
Suck up wasn't my word, that was somebody else. There is no doubt that Parto has worked hard on building his relationship with the VFL heavies and that, in my opinion, might get him the nod if the VFL look to a coach without a club commitment. I tend to agree that this would be good move as any club coach would be compromised with there other responsibilities. In short, he didn't get the job and Frankston because Brett Lovett did.