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August 01, 2007
Thompson to stay, King to play?
News on Geelongblog.com?...Who'd have thunk it?
Geelong fans worried about Bomber Thompson, who is out of contract at the end of year, possibly going back 'home' to Windy Hill can rest easier as the top of the ladder coach ruled it out yesterday.
Mark Thompson has effectively ruled himself out of the Essendon coaching race, reaffirming yesterday that he will not discuss his future until the end of Geelong's finals campaign.With the premiership favourite guaranteed to go at least into the second week of the finals series, Thompson's stance of not talking to anyone - including the Cats - about next year means the former Essendon premiership captain is not an option to replace Kevin Sheedy.
The Cats coach confirmed yesterday that his manager, Michael Quinlan, had been contacted by the Bombers, but Thompson said he wasn't interested in hearing anything they had to say.
Essendon chief executive Peter Jackson has already said his club would not wait until the end of September to appoint its new coach.
Thompson spoke to the Cats leadership group on Monday about whether his contract situation was causing a distraction and was told it was not a problem.
In the strongest indication yet that he would remain at Skilled Stadium next year, Thompson said he would have brought forward talks with the Cats if the issue were affecting his players.
"I have spoken to some of the players because I thought if it was a distraction to them, then something would have to be done," he said.
"They don't see it as a distraction. They are fine with sticking to the plan. We made a stance at the start of the year and we are going to stick to it and I think the players are happy with that.
"We don't want any distractions in this footy club. We just want to remain focused and our focus is on this week's game against the Tigers. I am not thinking about next year.
"I can't tell you what Essendon should do. I can just tell you what I am doing and that is coaching Geelong this week.
"I don't think this club has been in a better position at this time of the year (before), so why would I do anything to upset any part, deliberately upset any part of that? It is just stupid."
Geelong chief executive Brian Cook said last night that he was confident Thompson's eight-year reign as coach would continue next year.
"I'm sure that Mark has no intention of coaching anywhere else," Cook said.
"It is obvious at the moment that he is so determined to ensure that nothing gets in the way of his mission this year."
Thompson, who captained Essendon's 1993 premiership team, said he was surprised by Sheedy's axing last week.
"He has done an enormous job for Essendon and I am a bit surprised it has happened so quickly," Thompson said.
"He is just an unbelievable person. He's still young at 59, he has got a young mind and a lot of energy, so there is no doubt he could (keep coaching)."
I am glad to see Thompson has stuck by his word of not talking contracts until the end of the season with any club. It would have been a devious act to talk to Essendon but not to Geelong after the faith Cook & Costa have put in him over the past 8 seasons.
Why would he consider leaving now anyways? He seems to have finally put together a squad capable of winning the premiership & the culture of the club seems to be changing for the good, why bail when the fruits of his work are so close to being realised. It doesn't make much sense but it is reassuring to have it publicly ruled out.
Now, to something not so reassuring...
Steven King is back. Geelong's former captain will return to the senior side for the first time since round five when the Cats host Richmond at Skilled Stadium on Saturday.Coach Mark Thompson yesterday confirmed King, who has spent three games in the VFL since returning from knee surgery, would form a three-pronged ruck combination with in-form big men Brad Ottens and Mark Blake.
``I think it is perfect timing,'' Thompson said.
``I think it was more about him (King) getting right before bringing him back. He is in a really good headspace, he is in terrific form and we've always rushed him (back in the past).
``This time we wanted to get him fit, football fit and match fit, and then get some (VFL) games into him (and) get him in really reasonable form.''
Thompson said he was unsure at this stage how the three big men would be used on Saturday, although he expected Ottens to spend more time forward, allowing Blake and King to predominantly share the ruck duties.
``Otto hasn't played in the forward line for a long time so it might be just a little reminder to get him back into some forward line form,'' Thompson said.
King, 28, had a delayed start to the season after a calf injury sidelined him for the first three matches.
He was brought into the senior team in round four against Hawthorn, but struggled with just seven hitouts and eight disposals for the match.
He was then dumped after his round five performance, where he was clearly beaten by Kangaroos young gun Hamish McIntosh in what was Geelong's last loss this season.
King suffered cartilage damage to his right knee while playing in the VFL against Bendigo Bombers two weeks later and was rushed in for arthroscopic surgery on May 18.
He returned to the VFL team after a six-week break and had a massive 42 hitouts in his last match a fortnight ago, before the VFL team had the bye last week.
The Richmond game presents King with an ideal opportunity to rediscover form at a senior level given that the Tigers' ruck stocks have been depleted this season.
Geelong will be at close to full strength for the match, although doubt still remains over the fitness of Paul Chapman and Andrew Mackie.
Chapman, who was left out of last week's team due to an adductor injury, ran yesterday and will be assessed today, while Mackie, who went off the ground with a sore calf last Saturday, will also be tested today.
``We're pretty confident he will be right,'' Thompson said of Mackie.
Why oh why? I agree if you are going to give King a shot it is going to be against Richmond at home, but why play 3 ruckman? Otto has been great in the ruck all year while Blake has really come on but he could be rested for a week or two. There is no need to go in top heavy and play all 3.
They are possibly trying to take advantage of Richmond's short & not yet developed backmen but I just don't think it is worth the risk. Otto as a permanent forward hasn't paid off too often in the past, so why try and mix it up now?
King of course has only played twice this season, both in losing sides & made a crucial & possibly game costing error in one of those games.
The club has been brilliant thus far this season, so I will put my faith in whatever decision they make, but expect a backlash if this goes tits up, regardless of 12 straight wins.
Posted by Sammy D at August 1, 2007 04:10 PM
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