The favourites for the Richmond coaching job have been dropping like flies leaving the betting markets up in the air on who will get the top job.
First it was hot favourite Kevin Sheedy who on July 2nd declared he was the man to turn the Tigers around and had the backing of SEN radio broadcaster and long time Tiger great Kevin Bartlett. Then nine days later he put his hand down after long meetings with club officials saying that the club was bigger than an individual.
I think there was mixed emotions in the Richmond camp about the potential of Sheedy taking the helm. Richmond president Gary March said on the Footy Show that Sheedy wouldn’t get the job as long as he is President. Not much encouragement for other coaches looking for the job. Kevin goes down as one of the most decorated player/coaches around.
Richmond club captain and now assistant coach Wayne Campbell set his intentions to coach as soon as Terry Wallace announced that he wouldn’t go on.
It was only three days later after Kevin dropped out of the picture that Campbell also followed suit. He said that he just wasn’t ready for the job.
“I reckon I’m about 80 per cent, and that’s nowhere near enough. It’s just such a full on job.”
“In the last few weeks, I just got a feeling I wasn’t 100 per cent prepared,” he said.
For someone that has been in a coaching position since 2007 you would think you would know what was needed before announcing that you wanted the job.
How I see it is both Sheedy and Campbell were knocked back from the club early and rather than tarnish their coaching reputations they spin up a story in positive light.
I think the Richmond board have made a decision and have two names in mind, Nathan Buckley and current stand in coach Jade Rawlings.
Buckley ($3 favourite at Sportsbet) continues to state that he is ready to coach and is in talks with both Richmond and North Melbourne. Maybe he is waiting to see if Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse resigns with the club which he looks more likely to do every day.
Rawlings on the other hand has had the initial support from the club as a stand in coach but hasn’t had much early success.
“I’m going for it” he said
“I’m in it head deep, and I want to come out the other side as Richmond senior coach.”
Sportsbet has drifted him out on the last couple of weeks to $14. If you feel Rawlings has a chance I’d get in early, the odds can tumble very quickly when any word gets out.
If you join Sportsbet through Sportsbet Blog today they will give you a $50 free bet to place on any market including the Richmond job. Checkout the latest odds here.
What’s you opinion? Do you think Bucks or Rawlings will get the job or will Ken Hinkley or even Mick Malthouse get the nod?
The finals are here and this is where the experts really earn their money.
