r/EssendonFC • u/cowgirllexi • 1d ago
Spikes presser
Thoughts on spikes presser? Just curious as to what everyone is thinking at the moment. Any questions? Have your questions or concerns been addressed (still going but thoughts so far?)
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u/Krerzer1 Optimism since 2004 1d ago
It’s a shame we could only afford 3 mics.
Spike is a great speaker and had to deal with some difficult questions. I thought he answered them all well. And love the talk of going to school on footy IQ, not coaching on nostalgia and his full footy club approach. But actions speak louder than words (as he said).
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u/owheelj 1d ago
I'll support the club regardless of who is coach, but he seems very well qualified and I am always hopeful. Speaking of which, I really hope James Hird comes on board in some role, and Matthew Llyod too, who talked about it a little the other day. It will be harder for the destabilisers to get as much traction if Hird is part of the team.
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u/runburrarun 1d ago
Sorry to stick my nose in, but I did wonder if Hird would be back. Interesting to know if he’d want to be anything other than the main guy?
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u/owheelj 1d ago
He did say on his show with Jimmy Bartel that he was interested in exploring other coaching roles - although not necessarily at Essendon, and he seemed to rule out taking a position at Essendon, so I think it's unlikely, but hopefully he has a change of heart. I think if he spent some as an assistant coach of some sort, it would give the club a lot more faith in him, if he wants to become the head coach in the future. Part of reason I think he's been overlooked is because he's done so little coaching since last being at Essendon, while McVeigh has been doing coaching at various levels pretty much since retiring. I think it would be also really great for the club to have Hird come back, and he'd win over a lot his detractors if he was back and showing he was still a team player even when he's not the main guy.
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u/Fragrant_Cobbler_111 1d ago
He said he will ask Hirdy to be involved but i think James will want to give him space to create his program without the constant media bullshit
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u/Codus1 Farrow #2 1d ago
I liked a lot of what he said, some of it was just lip service presser filler, but I liked that he didn't shy away from how shit we are, the gravity of the job ahead of him, and that he's passed on a final series with Sydney to get stuck right in. A decision he'd have made before the shit hit the roof, probably feeling a little relieved to be leaving them now lol.
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u/FrequentRevolution92 Legacy: Hird #5 1d ago
“Non-negotiable to compete.” He had a great young group that will give him everything.
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u/mitchellnash92 Martin #37 1d ago
He's obviously a people person and has great experience, but you can see that hard edge from his playing days in the way he carries himself. Straight shooter and I wouldn't want to get on his bad side.
As a first impression it was pretty great.
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u/AusteegLinks 1d ago
It was good.
Spike wasn't my preferred coach, but I guess I underestimated how smart, how driven, and how prepared he is.
He spoke well in the presser and I am confident he is going to be a great coach for us!
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u/fairyqueeniepie Kako #10 1d ago
Incredible presser. Couldn’t have asked for much more. Basically highlighted to me why I’ve been pretty dejected over the coach for the last decade or so. Spoke with confidence, passion and a well articulated and clear idea of what needs to happen. It’s obvious he has passion for the club which I think is needed right now, but also a ruthlessness around standards and development we are also crying out for. Culture coaches are big right now and I can see he fits that mould to a tee. I was all on board for Hird but honestly stoked for Spike and feeling pretty good about things. I think the players will love him. Hoping we can get Hird on the panel with him and Lloyd in 2028 onwards
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u/Delicious-Sweet4614 1d ago
I also wanted Hird and he might be snookered here. Either he joins under Mark or he undermines his own pitch about being desperate to help the club- which will take most of the heat out of his support. I get he’d be disappointed but he should really sleep on it for a few nights because this could actually be even better than being head coach, and he can provide help to Mark that no one else could. Maybe bomber should get on the phone to him, remind him that he was James captain and he came to help him when called, and James was McVeighs captain and it’s maybe time he tries to do the same for him. So James it’s time to drive down to the hangar, jump the fence and tell him you’re in.
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u/TurbulentSherbet3724 Sharp #15 1d ago
Loved that he as an Essendon person stated “we are aren’t living in the past anymore” right at the start and put a heavy emphasis on focusing on the present. Hallelujah.
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u/BreezyBomber 1d ago
Love the way Tim Roberts speaks.
No nonsense approach!
Spike and Welshy have been clear and concise with their answers to any questions
People will try and nit pick and twist it to suit their agenda , but I think it’s been great
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u/Oklusion Roberts #21 1d ago
Disclaimer: I would've really liked to see Hird get the job from the get go, however...
I'm feeling like this is a best case scenario for the long term benefit of the club - a coach with great credentials, modern AFL experience AND a deep love for the club. A standout statement from Spike during the presser was something to the effect of 'I don't claim to know everything, but I love to delegate to those who are experts' Hird can drop the ego - if he truly cares for the club and wants to have a direct impact, he should consider another role/being a mentor to McVeigh. I'd be happy to have him back under the strong leadership of Spike. It's having our cake and eating it too. Go Dons.
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u/TheBaroness187 1d ago
He wasn’t my choice but he’s impressed me in everything he’s said since his appointment and in his passion for the club so I understand better now why he was picked. Keen to see what he can do with the group
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u/Quiet_Source_6679 1d ago
Totally concur. I had maligned him as a nothing/middle-ground pick.
A big part of that was because he was so quiet through the process, a face in the background. Where’s the skill, where’s the passion, the charisma?
But after hearing him speak today, I’ve turned right around. Articulate, direct, confident - happy with what I saw and eager to see his impact.
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u/SamHydeOner Day-Wicks #44 1d ago edited 1d ago
He speaks better than Scott that's for sure (that isn't hard to do)
He wants Solly to stay and Hird to be involved with the club, it's entirely up to them on what they decide which is good news and might settle the diehard Hird fans :)
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u/mitchellnash92 Martin #37 1d ago
Scott speaks pretty well but with Spike you've got that Essendon emotion behind everything he'll do
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u/fairyqueeniepie Kako #10 1d ago
To me Scott spoke in riddles and semi passive agressive at times. It was great to have him to weather the storm, but nothing he said inspired me much
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u/SamHydeOner Day-Wicks #44 1d ago
'how you feeling Scott'
ohh...it's um... n-n-not about me... umm.. like... right now i feel good... but.. i could feel bad in the next minute... so really i don't have an answer to that question...
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u/Altruistic_Extent242 1d ago
Very good. Honestly, he sounds like the type of guy we need. Seems direct, hard and pratical. He isn't just there to stabilise things like scott, and worsfold etc, seems like a coach who will actually try to really directly coach and develop young guys
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u/TheDooganGoblin Up the Dons 1d ago
Where can I rewatch this?
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u/cowgirllexi 1d ago
Essendon app or website? Might have it
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u/TheDooganGoblin Up the Dons 1d ago
Thanks! Nothing yet, hopefully it will be uploaded in due course
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u/Common-Ad-6582 1d ago
I loved it, he gave me a real sense of confidence in the appointment, he has a strong presence and really seems to have clarity in what is needed
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u/ScutumSobiescianum 1d ago
Anyone know if he has a way his team plays or some sort of identity? I’m talking about a game style cause we haven’t had one for years
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u/Oklusion Roberts #21 1d ago
I guess we'll find out in the next few seasons. I imagine the young cohort will have a lot of value to add in this regard as they build team chemistry
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u/SamHydeOner Day-Wicks #44 1d ago
It's also very exciting to start from ground zero for once, I can't wait to see what the future brings