Victorian clubs boxed out at AAMI Stadium

[The Coon Dog]

Michael Warner - Herald Sun - 8 April

THE AFL has approved a controversial coach's box behind the goals at AAMI Stadium for the exclusive use of Adelaide and Port Adelaide.

The glass-enclosed facility - complete with down-field views and direct phone lines to the main coach's box on the members' wing - is designed to help the Crows and Power counter opposition tactics including zones, clusters and floods.

But rather than provide a second box, the AFL yesterday said opposition coaching staff wanting the same view would have to sit in the grandstands alongside feral South Australian supporters.

Article in full... (http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/victorian-clubs-boxed-out-at-aami-stadium/story-e6frf9ix-1225851124141)

[Throughandthrough]

Michael Warner - Herald Sun - 8 April


But rather than provide a second box, the AFL yesterday said opposition coaching staff wanting the same view would have to sit in the grandstands alongside feral South Australian supporters.






Hooray!

and Lol!


Am SO emailling that to a lot of feral South Australian supporters today :)

[chef]

alongside feral South Australian supporters.


:D:D:D

In an seriousness they really should have a box it either end.

[Go_Dogs]

Hahaha.


I must say, being an opposition supporter at a packed Crows game at AAMI Stadium, has to be about the worst going around as far as bias goes. I've never had any altercations though.

[The Underdog]

:D:D:D

In an seriousness they really should have a box it either end.

Or, around AAMI

[AndrewP6]

Why don't they just give them extra players on the bench, another runner, and 3 goals head-start. And let them bring the stretcher on for players who aren't really hurt. Oh, hang on, they already did that....

[alwaysadog]

Now, now guys let's see it from their perspective; all these interlopers head over hell bent on denying the city of churches it's rightful place at the head of the competition and they are just trying to even up the odds.

Who ever said the AFL was some socialist equal opportunity game?

After all it's their ground and they can do what they like, and besides the opposition sides can have seats in the crowd at the other end and all the local bruisers in the crowd will be told to leave their knuckledusters at home. It's just a pity that they don't hear too well.

[chef]

Coaching glass box to get the chop
Yesterday's Herald Sun revealed the AFL had allowed the use of a glass-enclosed box for the exclusive use of Port Power and Adelaide staff.

And if opposition coaches wanted the same down-field view, they would be offered seats next to feral locals.

Collingwood president Eddie McGuire led the chorus of protest yesterday, threatening to "personally go over and gelignite it out of AAMI stadium".

AFL Coaches' Association chief executive Danny Frawley revealed he had contacted the league's 14 rival clubs seeking their views on the innovation, which aims to help the home teams counter opposition zones, clusters and floods.

"If all the coaches and footy managers see that as a distinct advantage to Adelaide and Port, well, maybe they won't be able to use it," Frawley said yesterday.

"But there's no doubt that you wouldn't want your coaches sitting in the crowd with the throngs."

Frawley said the two South Australian clubs had shared the costs for the box fit-out, complete with a direct line to the main coach's box and boundary line.

The AFL has ordered the removal of the phone lines, but concedes it cannot stop coaches using mobile phones or walkie-talkies.

A seething McGuire said if the league did not change its ruling on the box, he would burn it down himself. "You've got to be kidding me," he said.

"It's supposed to be a neutral venue. But the AFL at the moment, fair dinkum, they're going to give them an advantage and its just ridiculous."

McGuire repeated claims that urine had been tipped on staff on the Pies' bench there.

North Melbourne chairman James Brayshaw said his side had "no idea" the box was used by Port during its narrow first-round loss.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/coaching-glass-box-to-get-the-chop/story-e6frf9jf-1225851615677

[mjp]

I would love to know what the perceived advantage is.

Yep - they will be able to 'see' the setups. But what are they actually going to DO about it? If you are going to try and tell me that a team can redo its structures at a break to combat some new opposition strategy that can only be spotted from behind the goals at one end...A 'seething McGuire'? I mean, so what?

[Rocco Jones]

I would love to know what the perceived advantage is.

Yep - they will be able to 'see' the setups. But what are they actually going to DO about it? If you are going to try and tell me that a team can redo its structures at a break to combat some new opposition strategy that can only be spotted from behind the goals at one end...A 'seething McGuire'? I mean, so what?

Yep and they will only be able to see a defensive or forward set up each quarter. I think it would be a decent advantage if you had access to both ends, with a forward line coach at one end and a defensive coach at the other.

[mjp]

I love the behind goals vision for coaching...but I struggle to see how you could use it effectively on game day. To me it is just one more bit of information that makes decisions hard to make.

It is funny - sometimes watching a game things are far more obvious to you than they are when coaching the game...all the data thrust upon you + emotional engagement makes it very difficult to remain calm and detached. The box behind the goals? Well, it is another phone to talk on, another person to discuss things with...I dont see this being all that effective.

Now, if the whole coaching team just moved there, I could see some merit...but the TAC Cup rule would have to be enforced - visiting team gets to pick the box.

[Go_Dogs]

I love the behind goals vision for coaching...but I struggle to see how you could use it effectively on game day. To me it is just one more bit of information that makes decisions hard to make.

Without knowing anything about the coaching caper, I can see the merits in your take on it.

I think it would be a useful tool for opposition analysis, perhaps if you were playing them in a week or a few weeks time, but as you say, during the match, I'm not sure it's going to help identify significant issues that hadn't already been thought of and planned for.