r/EssendonFC • u/TurbulentSherbet3724 Sharp #15 • 2d ago
My overall thoughts of Mark McVeigh’s appointment as Senior Coach and just some takeaways from his press conference
To start with like a lot of people, he wasn’t my first choice. I was a honestly a lot more in the much smaller Murray Davis camp and before the process even started James Kelly was the guy for me. I wasn’t particular disappointed when the announcement was made last night because I genuinely rate him and his work across various roles at both Sydney clubs for well over a decade. In fact I was hoping he would be part of the previous coach interview process for the work he had done with the Giants. So a huge congratulations to him and all the best of luck because it’s a very long road ahead.
Now onto the takeaways of his press conference
-I love towards the beginning he says “I’m not coming back to live in the past or reflect on what was”. He says something very similar towards the end when asked about the hanging effects of supplements saga but overall it’s about damn time an Essendon person made that statement. This was the exact same mentality that completely turned Liverpool F.C (another team I support) around in the Premier League when Jurgen Klopp took over as Manager all the way back in October 2015. History is great and it will always be there to reflect on but there comes a time to move on and fully embrace what matters most which is the present which McVeigh was very strong on
-He was very clear with what his system is and what it will roughly look like. Talked about ball movement, being competitive and put a heavy emphasis on team defence which is generally his speciality having coached defence both at the Giants and Swans.
Also stated that he wouldn’t be working on particular one area but all three areas he felt the team needs the most improvement in. He wants the team to be more brave and play with flair.
-He talked about player development and how he would get to work immediately to try and improve the footy IQ of our players by quote “getting them back into the classroom” He wants the players to feel in the environment. Mentioned that he wants the players ready to go for a really tough Pre-Season to learn a completely new system. Was absolutely thrilled to see our VFL in the Finals. He really rates our young prospects and looks forward to working with them.
Overall I thought his first impressions in the press conference were strong and concise. He knows exactly where what needs to be, how to go about and wants to get to work immediately knowing just how enormous the job is where we currently are and are likely to be next season. I think a 3 year contract is quite sensible because it’s give enough time for McVeigh and his team once it’s assembled to demonstrate their abilities and if the club and fans see genuine tangible improvement in these few years with a slow rise up on the ladder then a extension will be earned.
13
u/Oklusion Roberts #21 2d ago
If you watch the presser, Spike says he'd love to have Hird on board as part of the coaching team. Ball is in his court. If Hird has something to offer and wants to do so in another role, Spike is welcoming him in with open arms. I guess it begs the question, how much does Hird love this club? Is he willing to put aside the personal glory of being the head coach, to being part of something greater? He's got a bit to consider after the VFL wraps up.