Let’s put the cards on the table very early on.  Before the suspension of the 34 players I didn’t think John Worsfold was the right man to Coach Essendon.  I based this on the fact things changed very quickly for John from ‘no interest in coaching’ to ‘I’m available’.  My thoughts were you had to really want to coach 'Essendon', not just be ‘a coach’ again. 

I also thought the modern developments on the field would really test his tactical ability and game reading during games, remembering at West Coast he had the smarts to place the late Phil Walsh as his key strategist.  My preference was also for Essendon to follow a proven track and introduce an experienced apprentice like Brendon Bolton, Alan Richardson or Luke Beveridge or look ahead to emerging coaches such as Simon Goodwin, Brent Montgomery or Stuart Dew.  Go out and find the next Clarkson would have been my message.

So to me it was circumstantial and the minute the suspensions came down it was clear that Essendon was no place for a new or developing coach.  Worsfold was indeed the right man and character to lead the club in this unparalleled time.  It’s a little ironic that Kevin Sheedy brought a 17-year-old Worsfold into our change rooms in 1986 (30 years ago) and introduced him to the players.  Essendon’s doyen recruiter Noel Judkins was onto another one.  I reckon we were weeks if not hours away from signing him.

However, in October 1986, Worsfold was named as a member of the West Coast Eagles' inaugural 32-man squad.  He made his senior debut for the club in round four of the 1987 season, against Carlton at Princes Park.  He played a total of 11 games in the club's inaugural season.  His Coach was Ron Alexander, his Captain Ross Glendinning, Steve Malaxos won the Best and Fairest and interestingly the Best Clubman was won by current Melbourne Chairman Glen Bartlett.  And as they say, ‘the rest is history’.

Worsfold’s first foray into coaching was interesting in that he was initially offered full time positions at his local clubs, Fremantle and West Coast.  Instead he chose to move to Carlton and gain experience out of the comfort of his own town.  Carlton President John Elliott appointed him Assistant Coach to David Parkin in 1999.  Good appointment by Big Jack but just one problem – the Coach, David Parkin, knew nothing about it.  The good thing for Worsfold is that he was about to gain coaching experience away from his comfort areas of Perth and Freo.  At the end of the 2001 season he applied for the senior coaching roles at both West Coast and Fremantle.  Naturally there were suggestions he used the Fremantle job to gain leverage for the Eagles position, despite the fact his home club is South Fremantle.

Between 2005 to 2010, West Coast went on a rollercoaster with a 2^nd, 1^st and 3^rd before plummeting rapidly to 15^th, 11^th and 16^th.  Worsfold finished with 281 games coached with a 53% winning ratio. And of course amidst this is the name Ben Cousins and the rumoured drug culture of several Eagles players.  There is no need to dig up the past but in light of senior coaching roles in the modern era, John would have found himself right in the middle of the drama.  James Hird’s suspension has confirmed a very basic expectation that a senior coach must be there for all players regardless of wins and losses and that they’re accountable for the personal welfare and wellbeing of all players.  Not even ‘a win at all costs’ attitude should ever get in the way of that and the role of the coach.  

In 2016, Worsfold leads a mix youth, players looking for a second chance and hardened AFL stars.

Worsfold said he has wrestled with his performance as a coach and mentor during that difficult period.  He was once quoted as saying; "Was I a good coach in those turbulent times?  On the one hand, I kept the team together and working hard towards winning a premiership.  On the other hand, was it possible I let some players down by not being able to halt a small group going down a particular pathway?"  Probably all of the above John.

There is no doubt a senior coach must bear significant responsibility.  Which probably explains how good he has been with the current and also suspended Essendon players.  The welfare of these players in pursing their careers and reigniting others, regaining confidence in the Club values and respect for the Club are a priority for the new man.  The players are in great hands because Worsfold will see the value of the person first and the value of four points 2^nd.  Ok, so he should’ve read Pendlebury going into the centre and Sidebottom running around ‘without a man’ as well.

There was a school of thought the Eagles' only weakness was Worsfold's ability to deal with tactical adjustments on match days.  As mentioned, John acknowledged this and Phil Walsh complemented Worsfold’s man management skills.  Should he have won another premiership with that outstanding group?  The answer is yes, but also they are really hard to win.  Just ask Essendon’s 1996-2002 teams.

Of far more importance is Worsfold’s ability in man management.  His ability to balance his role as Senior Coach and still stay in contact with a large number of suspended players is no doubt a special part of their re-signing.  Extended contracts and revised dollars play a part of course but if you didn’t want to play under Worsfold and for Essendon, then there are 17 other options out there.  Whether it’s five, eight, ten or 12 returning players I will welcome 2017 from the point of view of seeing Worsfold coach with the pressure of normal win/loss, tactical and game plan scrutiny.  There will be no ‘understanding of circumstances’ theme and there will be pressure.  That can only be good for the Club, players and Worsfold.   

In January 2016 Worsfold lost half a team.  From there he has been able to reset a game plan, get to know new players, find roles to match underdone fitness levels and finally encourage young Essendon players to take up the challenge of serious midfield roles.  He should’ve pinched three games actually.  He has been tough enough to drop 'name' players.  Standards won’t be compromised.  Welfare of players remains high on Worsfold’s agenda, as deep down he would still reflect on his time at West Coast.  This is the important bit.  What part ‘tactician’ plays in all that I have no idea, but what I do know is that in the toughest of years it’s been a good club decision in so many areas of the coaching role.

Just next time Woosh, please run with Sidebottom.