Not even the influence of favourite son Robbie Taylor could prevent internal squabbling at Beaconsfield last year. 33299
LAST week I suggested in Footy Shorts there had been some tension in the camp between players and coaching staff at Berwick.
While one or two at Edwin Flack Reserve were not overly impressed with that piece of dirty laundry being aired, the Wickers are most certainly not on their lonesome when it comes to internal bickering (mind you, Berwick has made an artform of it over the years).
There would not be a club in the district who has not had its big-ticket egos upset once in a while over comments from within – generally the coach or his assistants- and sometimes it causes more damage than can be repaired in a season.
Occasionally, players will walk but more often than not, it is settled in house and the simmering tension remains.
How well squabbles are subdued, together with how many people are made aware of them, is the key.
Invariably, team mates will take one side or the other, something which can cause a divide which may not be repairable. Last year’s episode at Doveton is a prime example.
The support of a number of players for coaching staff and club was lost due to in-house tension late in the season and, despite going through the year as undefeated minor premiers, it probably cost the Doves a flag.
Beaconsfield was little more than a disjointed rabble on the field last year, despite having favourite son Robbie Taylor at the helm and some of the best talent in the league at its disposal.
It was not a happy place and neither was Keysborough, which went from grand finalists to near last in 2009 because several key players decided they didn’t like now ex-coach Greg Siwes any more.
The list goes on and the good ‘country folk’ in the EDFL are far from immune too.
Last year coach Chris Toner and a senior player had a very public confrontation after a loss at Cora Lynn, while straight-shooting Bunyip coach Steve Henwood lost the services of enigmatic spearhead Danny Casset after only two games this season due to a verbal stoush during a game.
Football, at any level, is an emotion-charged game at the best of times and it is generally the stars who are the most temperamental.
The rule is the bigger the name, the bigger the money you pay and the bigger the ego you get.
The best coaches are the best man-managers and the best clubs are the ones who keep their arguments private. Remember-the football world is watching.
