Glen AtwellSouth Dragons (Mark) Priceless!
October 24th 2006 05:53
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What a tumultuous (wow, big word) it has been in Australian sport. Such an observation is too general in nature, considering just how much has happened in the past week, so let’s narrow it down.
“South Dragon’s Priceless”
The cut-price Dragons (OK, enough price puns) was without doubt the story of the week. It is usually the norm to attack the new club for firing the all-star coach after only five games in the top job, but I think the South Dragons got this one spot on.
Mark Price looked dedicated, and probably was, but moving your entire family from America to Australia is a big move in the grand scheme of life.
We all know the story, everything is all sweet for a few months, then kids start to grumble about missing home, the wife starts to complain about ‘the way things are’ and the whole word starts to collapse on its tissue-paper foundations.
Price didn’t have the amount of time required by the South Dragons to commit to building the new franchise. Sure the Dragons are zero wins and five losses thus far into the NBL season, but they are not far off the mark.
I wonder, if South had of beaten the Melbourne Tigers, whether or not Mark Cowan would have held off pulling the pin on Price for another week or two. Of course, the decision had already been made by Sunday night, Shane Heal had already accepted the coaching role, but to sack Price after beating the reigning premiers would have been, well priceless.
From the official press release:
“Mark Price offered his resignation to the Dragons board this morning and the club understands, respects and accepts the reasons for his decision,” club chairman Mark Cowan said.
Why do sporting organisations offer this airy-fairy explanation? Do they still believe we interpret such rubbish as “We sacked Mark, but we still like each other.”
Reminds me of Grant Thomas offering his resignation to St Kilda. Just a coincidence that the CEO had already been interviewing potential candidates.
More from the official South presser:
“Price said a number of factors had contributed to his decision, including a desire to return to the United States with his family.”
If the Dragons had of won five consecutive games and were atop the NBL ladder, would family problems have still forced Price to walk away?
Doesn’t take a sporting mastermind to work that one out.
Expect the South Dragons to hit rock-bottom this weekend. They’ll fall, hard. Hammer Heal is a legend, but a coach? South needs some experience on the sidelines ASAP.
This is the NBL, not the Big V.
What a tumultuous (wow, big word) it has been in Australian sport. Such an observation is too general in nature, considering just how much has happened in the past week, so let’s narrow it down.
Dragons' coach Mark Price can't excite Kavossy Franklin at a recent post-game media conference. Picture: Glen Atwell
“South Dragon’s Priceless”
The cut-price Dragons (OK, enough price puns) was without doubt the story of the week. It is usually the norm to attack the new club for firing the all-star coach after only five games in the top job, but I think the South Dragons got this one spot on.
Mark Price looked dedicated, and probably was, but moving your entire family from America to Australia is a big move in the grand scheme of life.
We all know the story, everything is all sweet for a few months, then kids start to grumble about missing home, the wife starts to complain about ‘the way things are’ and the whole word starts to collapse on its tissue-paper foundations.
Price didn’t have the amount of time required by the South Dragons to commit to building the new franchise. Sure the Dragons are zero wins and five losses thus far into the NBL season, but they are not far off the mark.
I wonder, if South had of beaten the Melbourne Tigers, whether or not Mark Cowan would have held off pulling the pin on Price for another week or two. Of course, the decision had already been made by Sunday night, Shane Heal had already accepted the coaching role, but to sack Price after beating the reigning premiers would have been, well priceless.
From the official press release:
“Mark Price offered his resignation to the Dragons board this morning and the club understands, respects and accepts the reasons for his decision,” club chairman Mark Cowan said.
Why do sporting organisations offer this airy-fairy explanation? Do they still believe we interpret such rubbish as “We sacked Mark, but we still like each other.”
Reminds me of Grant Thomas offering his resignation to St Kilda. Just a coincidence that the CEO had already been interviewing potential candidates.
More from the official South presser:
“Price said a number of factors had contributed to his decision, including a desire to return to the United States with his family.”
If the Dragons had of won five consecutive games and were atop the NBL ladder, would family problems have still forced Price to walk away?
Doesn’t take a sporting mastermind to work that one out.
Expect the South Dragons to hit rock-bottom this weekend. They’ll fall, hard. Hammer Heal is a legend, but a coach? South needs some experience on the sidelines ASAP.
This is the NBL, not the Big V.
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Comment by Sports Insider
AFL Insider
But it is good to see the idea of player/coach has been brought back.
Comment by Glen Atwell
Computer Game
Sport Talk
Gamer Herald
I attended the first ever media introduction night, when Price was flown into Melbourne for two days - hind sight is easy, but I did say to colleague that night "he doesn't seem comfortable".
it was like a culture thing, he didn't seem to fit in with the aussie way.
his family probably was the same.
it's a sad situation, but he would have made his $$$. the worst thing is South losing Todd Fuller, who I earmarked as their no1 player this season.
seems heal and fuller didn't get on. hammer cited his 'work ethic' as the reason for his dismissal!