Moving to Perth...deals done with the NRL....WINCORP pulled the pin...there's some doozies in here.
Coast, do you not think that an aspiring JD was told he will not be given the 1st grade gig in 2018 and therefore went looking for opportunities elsewhere? I do.
His manager called his bluff with us, wanting us to appoint another rookie coach for the NRL squad for 2018 and possibly part of 2017.
JD had a contract with us in place. He could've stayed and seen what develops but for his job security and development, opted for a 3 year deal under the best in the business.
Good luck to him. I'm not getting caught up in all of this as those that are screaming blue murder obviously wanted another rookie coach in charge when McGregor is finally cut loose.
We need an overhaul and someone that will come in and turn the football operations upside down. A strong willed, experienced operator - not another rookie that won't stand up to our factional board.
JD's decision may well be supporting of this theory and my gut feeling says we will have a new coach in less than a year.
For me, the concern is interim and our form in appointing coaches.
Let's say McMoron is sacked halfway through mid-2017 (not unlikely). We need an interim coach; JD would have been head and shoulders above all other contenders for that option, even if it was just to see out 2017. Best case is that he hangs around, takes the reigns for half and year and THEN we bring in our 2018 coach with his staff (whether or not that includes JD).
Now, let's say that whoever the interim coach is, they have a 'honeymoon period' of a few wins, much like McDrinker did when he took over from Price. Our board, and presumably a portion of the wider fan base, will see this and push hard for that interim coach to be handed an extended contract (again, based on form this is highly likely). This is, of course, a silly decision for them to make, but if it did happen then Demetriou is by far the most qualified person to take this on and not completely fail.
Now everyone is hoping for a new Knight-in-shining-armour to take the reigns of the team in 2018, bring in a whole new football operation and bring us back to glory. However, based on history, the above scenario is equally likely and we could be stuck with the likes of Hornby or Young for an extended period. And given this likelihood, it would be far more preferable for someone with a background of success like JD take over.
In conclusion, I did not want Demetriou taking over as a long term coach. HOwever, given the history of poor decisions by our management, he was very useful to have as a contingency - a silver lining to the inevitable stupidity of our board! Worst case, he may have provided some highlights in 2017 before making way for our real coach in 2018.
There is no good reason to let him go. 'Twas a massive f**k up, whichever way you look at it.
