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Mission Impossible for Knights

10.16AM 30-8-2010

By Kevin Bartlett

At least Essendon was swift in cutting off Matthew Knights' head.

He was always going to be sacked at season's end, so no point in dragging it out.

The board at least showed him compassion and respect: to leave him dangling into the finals would have been cruel.

Although, it was mischievous to suggest he'd be a part of the Essendon end-of-season review.

Matthew Knights never really had a chance. No honeymoon for the man who took over from Kevin Sheedy.

How do you replace a legend when fans and Sheedy's devotees are still sulking about the way he was shown the door?

Knights from Day One had no good-will.

What was the board thinking when giving a two year contract extension, yet did not have the confidence or courage to see it through.

Voss was earmarked for Sheedy's job but pulled out. Damien Hardwick had a computer malfunction, and a line went through his name.

Whether it was good luck, or good management, Voss and Hardwick can thank their lucky stars they didn't get the job, for after Sheeds, it was mission impossible.

Comments

Posted by WR at 12.46PM 2-9-2010

A club that does not settle for mediocrity should be applauded. Look where it left St.Kilda for so long. The dons are not re-building. They have shown ability. They just need direction and commitment.

Posted by Matthew at 9.41AM 2-9-2010

Tough gig that Knights stepped into, agreed, but didnt do enough. was given a contract extension under false pretences. Serves the club right. Now chase Malthouse!!!

Posted by Brad at 5.28PM 31-8-2010

bommers are a rabble, fair dinkum, they are inploding big time Matty your to good for them come back to the tigers as a specialist coach. Bommers your list is bad real bad thinking its better than you think is hurting you big time .I love the fact they are fighting soooooooooo Gooooooooooooood

Posted by Sam at 12.31PM 31-8-2010

The position the club is in now and the predicament that Knights had was having such a poor list as a result of dismal recruiting in the final years of Sheedy's tenure, Knights is hardly to blame for the situation. Proof being that if the clubs best player is Dustin Fletcher who is still great despite his age, but doesn't have long to go and we have no clear stars or game breakers.

Posted by Paul at 5.30PM 30-8-2010

The Essendon board seems to be getting off a little too lightly. Firstly, why was Matthew Knights appointed in the first place, why did they extend the contract, when no-one was about to poach him and finally, how can they pay an untried coach so much money.

Posted by colin at 2.08PM 30-8-2010

interesting considering his win loss recored over his leangth of service not just the last 6 months was better than sheedys from late 2000 seems they could not get over the richmond factor I really feel for the next coach it can take 3/4 years for a strong finish let alone a flag it will take along time for them to move up the ladder they have avery weak back line and with flectcher leaving and mcveigh getting older they are going to be really under the pump but as they say in coaching you are as a good as your last win.