Johnson returns to coach at the Kennel

[bornadog]

Link (http://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/news/2012-12-19/johnson-returns-to-the-kennel)

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa198/mmsalih/478759_10151307466987487_311257370_o_zps081c52c7.jpg

The Western Bulldogs today announced that Bulldogs great, Brad Johnson, has joined the Club as a specialist coach.

This part-time mentor and skills role will see the six time All-Australian, former Bulldogs Captain and three-time best and fairest, work with the Clubs development group which is made up of the team’s emerging first to third year players.

“When presented with the opportunity to bring Brad on board – we wholeheartedly grabbed it,” Bulldogs, Manager of Football, James Fantasia said today.

“There is no question that Johnno will bring an incredible amount of experience, skills and knowledge to our younger players – who are just thrilled to have him on board.”

Johnson, the Bulldogs games record-holder, joins Geelong premiership duo Matthew Scarlett and Cameron Mooney who are also working one day a week with Brendan McCartney at the Club.

“Along with our current coaching staff, we are fortunate that people of this ilk want to come and help our Club get better,” Senior Coach Brendan McCartney said today.

[bornadog]

Great News, a welcome addition to the Kennel.

[angelopetraglia]

Super, super news.

How many coaches do we have down their now in some capacity? Surely a lot more than ever before.

[OLD SCRAGGer]

Welcome HOME Brad :) GREAT NEWS

[lemmon]

Can only be a good thing. Its nice to see that little group of Johnson, West, Bubba Smith, Grant and Darcy all still involved in the game in some capacity.

[The Underdog]

Yay, Jonno is like Grant in that I'd hate to see him involved at any club other than us.

[immortalmike]

Hang on when did Brad Johnson play for Geelong..?

[Eastdog]

Hang on when did Brad Johnson play for Geelong..?

I don't think he ever did. He was originally from Hoppers Crossing. It is great to have him back at the club to help with our development. He is another true Bulldog icon.

[Go_Dogs]

Great news, stoked to see him back in the fold.

[Greystache]

I'm surprised there's not more complaints from people about the abundance of Bulldogs people being brought into the club- Smith, Montgomery, now Johnson, and Chris Grant as director. There was great concern from some we were too Geelong centric and not drawing enough knowledge from the broader competition, yet we have added 2 more coaches who were former players with us.

[AndrewP6]

I'm surprised there's not more complaints from people about the abundance of Bulldogs people being brought into the club- Smith, Montgomery, now Johnson, and Chris Grant as director. There was great concern from some we were too Geelong centric and not drawing enough knowledge from the broader competition, yet we have added 2 more coaches who were former players with us.

I'm much happier having a club great back in the colours, than trying to clone another club.

[Greystache]

I'm much happier having a club great back in the colours, than trying to clone another club.

Why?

You're happy to have greats from our club but not greats from another club? That being despite the other club having enjoyed far greater success.

[AndrewP6]

Why?

You're happy to have greats from our club but not greats from another club? That being despite the other club having enjoyed far greater success.

Just seems to me that we're trying to create another whole identity, which I don't think is a good thing. Trying to make us "Geelong Mark II" won't work, IMO. It's like at work (school) - we try programs/ideas from other places, and it invariably doesn't work. I know teaching isn't footy, but it's that whole idea of trying to recreate a club.

[Eastdog]

As long as we being quality and experience into the club it shouldn't matter whether they were former Doggy players or from another club.

[Greystache]

Just seems to me that we're trying to create another whole identity, which I don't think is a good thing. Trying to make us "Geelong Mark II" won't work, IMO. It's like at work (school) - we try programs/ideas from other places, and it invariably doesn't work. I know teaching isn't footy, but it's that whole idea of trying to recreate a club.

My take is we're trying to bring people in who've come from a culture of success and who have set the bench mark in recent history. I don't think it's about trying to become Geelong Mk II but trying to be the club that others aspire to be, if some of the best people happen to come from that club then that's probably no surprise.

I don't agree that trying to create an new identity is the wrong thing, we've been Bulldog centric for far too long, celebrating individual champions above all else, and welcoming them back into official roles over people from outside that may well have more to offer. This desperately needs to change, and I'm excited that we're finally starting to see it happen.

I wouldn't poo poo a club champion continuing to play a role within the club, but personally I would've been more excited if it was announced we had appointed another resource from outside the club, even if that were another Geelong person.

[LostDoggy]

As long as we being quality and experience into the club it shouldn't matter whether they were former Doggy players or from another club.

I agree Eastdog. The methods of the past 50 years haven't worked so hopefully MacCartneys new culture will.

[Ghost Dog]

My take is we're trying to bring people in who've come from a culture of success and who have set the bench mark in recent history. I don't think it's about trying to become Geelong Mk II but trying to be the club that others aspire to be, if some of the best people happen to come from that club then that's probably no surprise.

I don't agree that trying to create an new identity is the wrong thing, we've been Bulldog centric for far too long, celebrating individual champions above all else, and welcoming them back into official roles over people from outside that may well have more to offer. This desperately needs to change, and I'm excited that we're finally starting to see it happen.

I wouldn't poo poo a club champion continuing to play a role within the club, but personally I would've been more excited if it was announced we had appointed another resource from outside the club, even if that were another Geelong person.

Brad will surely be taking the boys for ' diving 101', and how to keep smiling when your're absolutely stuffed.

[FrediKanoute]

I think JOhnno coming back is great. Even if it is 1 day a week.

On the topic of changing culture and building from the ground up, this article in the Telegraph in the UK on Sir Alex Ferguson is interesting - http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/manchester-united/9754827/Manchester-United-manager-Sir-Alex-Ferguson-reveals-secrets-of-his-success-in-Harvard-University-study.html

He talks about building a culture from the ground up, the benefits of longievity in managers and the concept of putting team above all else.

I guess its interesting because much of the things he suggests resonate with what Macca is trying to do.

[Bulldog Revolution]

Brilliant to have Johnno back, and nice article Fredi

[EasternWest]

Just seems to me that we're trying to create another whole identity, which I don't think is a good thing. Trying to make us "Geelong Mark II" won't work, IMO. It's like at work (school) - we try programs/ideas from other places, and it invariably doesn't work. I know teaching isn't footy, but it's that whole idea of trying to recreate a club.

I'm ok with it. Something needs to change.

I know you're still lamenting the Eade transtition (I'm not having a pot at you, I just know you're a big Eade fan), but what we've been trying for fifty years hasn't worked, despite getting close a few times.

I'm willing to accept all facets of the change McCartney is bringing in and ride it out. Last year was a disaster, but he stuck to his guns and continues to do so and I like it. If he's acting with a long term vision, then let's stick with it.

[AndrewP6]

I'm ok with it. Something needs to change.

I know you're still lamenting the Eade transtition (I'm not having a pot at you, I just know you're a big Eade fan), but what we've been trying for fifty years hasn't worked, despite getting close a few times.

I am, and I'm still not sold on McCartney as a coach, but lets not go there.;)


I'm willing to accept all facets of the change McCartney is bringing in and ride it out. Last year was a disaster, but he stuck to his guns and continues to do so and I like it. If he's acting with a long term vision, then let's stick with it.

If I see some improvements, I might come round.

[GVGjr]

Just seems to me that we're trying to create another whole identity, which I don't think is a good thing. Trying to make us "Geelong Mark II" won't work, IMO. It's like at work (school) - we try programs/ideas from other places, and it invariably doesn't work. I know teaching isn't footy, but it's that whole idea of trying to recreate a club.

I don't get the Geelong references as the whole approach is doing things the Bulldogs way.
Sure there are aspects of some things the Cats did but a mate of mine who sat in the coaches box with McCartney for 12 months believes a lot of what he is trying to implement are certainly his views and are probably more in line with what Essendon are doing than the Cats.

We are trying to rebuild and recreate a Bulldogs vision not specifically copying what the Cats did.

[GVGjr]

If I see some improvements, I might come round.

I'm not so sure about that :)

[AndrewP6]

I don't get the Geelong references as the whole approach is doing things the Bulldogs way.
Sure there are aspects of some things the Cats did but a mate of mine who sat in the coaches box with McCartney for 12 months believes a lot of what he is trying to implement are certainly his views and are probably more in line with what Essendon are doing than the Cats.

We are trying to rebuild and recreate a Bulldogs vision not specifically copying what the Cats did.

Fair enough if so, I just haven't seen it that way.

[Dogs 24/7]

Fair enough if so, I just haven't seen it that way.

Have you wanted to? You've been dirty on the club since Eade's departure and I think BMac is being judged harder than he should be.
BMac didn't make the decision not to give Eade another contract.

[AndrewP6]

Have you wanted to? You've been dirty on the club since Eade's departure and I think BMac is being judged harder than he should be.
BMac didn't make the decision not to give Eade another contract.

Have i wanted to? I haven't wanted us to fail, if thats what you're getting at. As for judging him too harshly, I don't believe so, but that's probably for others to decide. I don't want to rehash old threads, I just think McCartney's the wrong man for the top job. A good (very good, even) 2IC, but that's all.

Anyhoo, this thread is about Johnno and his return.

[PedroArvy]

I understand pride but I have to agree with some of the comments above. You want ex premIeship players coaching us. They are the guys who know what it takes to win and can see most clearly what's lacking.

[Nuggety Back Pocket]

I don't get the Geelong references as the whole approach is doing things the Bulldogs way.
Sure there are aspects of some things the Cats did but a mate of mine who sat in the coaches box with McCartney for 12 months believes a lot of what he is trying to implement are certainly his views and are probably more in line with what Essendon are doing than the Cats.

We are trying to rebuild and recreate a Bulldogs vision not specifically copying what the Cats did.

I would have thought that with the recruitment of King, Scarlett and Mooney that after 10 years himself at Geelong that BMcC's approach is closer to the Cats than Essendon.
The image of McCartney suffers through not having coached at a senior League level.
He also suffers from having probably the weakest list since Malthouse left at the end of 1989.
We need to show some marked improvement in 2013 after last year's disaster. Personally I like McCartney having met him on a number of occasions.
The jury is still out as to whether he has the talent at his disposal to improve.

[GVGjr]

I would have thought that with the recruitment of King, Scarlett and Mooney that after 10 years himself at Geelong that BMcC's approach is closer to the Cats than Essendon.
The image of McCartney suffers through not having coached at a senior League level.
He also suffers from having probably the weakest list since Malthouse left at the end of 1989.
We need to show some marked improvement in 2013 after last year's disaster. Personally I like McCartney having met him on a number of occasions.
The jury is still out as to whether he has the talent at his disposal to improve.

He may have secured some assistants from the Cats (and the Dogs for that matter) but I believe that a lot of his views on how football should be played and they type of players needed to win flags are very much in line with what the Bombers are trying to assemble.

Just on the coach, a couple of comments in what was a great article by Matthew Scarlett in Inside Football this month speaks volumes for our coach.
Scarlett said, "My old coach Brendan McCartney rang to ask me if I'd help out and he was basically the only coach I would do that for"
"Macca played such a huge part in shaping me as a player so it's good to be able to help him out"

[bulldogtragic]

He may have secured some assistants from the Cats (and the Dogs for that matter) but I believe that a lot of his views on how football should be played and they type of players needed to win flags are very much in line with what the Bombers are trying to assemble.

Just on the coach, a couple of comments in what was a great article by Matthew Scarlett in Inside Football this month speaks volumes for our coach.
Scarlett said, "My old coach Brendan McCartney rang to ask me if I'd help out and he was basically the only coach I would do that for"
"Macca played such a huge part in shaping me as a player so it's good to be able to help him out"
What's that say about Thompson? Maybe it's more than Kent Kingsley who don't rate him???

[Topdog]

I understand pride but I have to agree with some of the comments above. You want ex premIeship players coaching us. They are the guys who know what it takes to win and can see most clearly what's lacking.

Im happy to have more coaches but this idea that sports fans have that being a premiership winner means you are fit to coach and can see the game more clearly than others really irritates me.

[EasternWest]

Im happy to have more coaches but this idea that sports fans have that being a premiership winner means you are fit to coach and can see the game more clearly than others really irritates me.

But McCartney never played at the top level. No way could he coach it ;).