Four-time premiership coach Leigh Matthews has named his biggest pet hate in football – the idea that the coaches are not responsible for the way the game is being played.
Richmond coach Damien Hardwick spoke on Tuesday, saying he gets “upset about how everyone says the coaches are the guys that are always talking down the game or ruining the game”.
“The reality is we love the game, we’re always up for improving it as best we can and we’re happy to be part of that consultation process.
“The 23rd man was an initiative of the coaches, Alastair Clarkson in particular, so we love the game and we want it to be a great spectacle. We’re open to anything the AFL suggests.”
Matthews however believes coaches are entirely responsible for the way the game is being played, for good or bad.
“In one of his utterings he said something about ‘why do they blame the coaches for the way the game is being played?’ Well who the hell else are we going to blame?” Matthews told Sportsday.
“I mean, who is responsible for the way game is being played is pretty simple. It’s not the rule-makers, I hate that the fans fall this one too.
“There’s 200-odd coaches around the 18 clubs who are all analysts, who are all looking at the game to find a way to win.
“It’s pretty simple, if you love the spectacle, laud the coaches, if you dislike the spectacle, blame the coaches.
“Simple as that. It’s my pet hate this feeling that the rule-makers, who are trying to catch up with the coaches, let’s face it the coaches are a mile in front of the rule-makers, but the rule-makers are trying to moderate the games.
“That was something that Damien popped up with last night and that is my number one pet hate, that coaches aren’t responsible for the way the game is being played, good or bad.”
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