Brendan Gale gave us the biggest hint when talking about what the club is now looking for in a coach.
Gifted, yes, skilled, of course. But an oracle of footy knowledge? Not immediately.
We want the head coach to grow with the players, like Hardwick did. Build relationships.
Discover together. This is the new meta, the secret sauce. Old Pagan? Stubborn Malthouse? Loopy Lyon? No.
Younger coaches who don’t know it all, who make mistakes and learn with the players. THIS forges the strongest bonds of all. There is no doubt in my mind. Gale is right.
You cannot do that with an older, decorated list. They’ve been there already. They’re Hardwick’s men.
Well-intentioned, absolutely. Look at Rioli this year.
But football is about waves these days. Waves of emotion, waves of cohesion, finding that lightning in the bottle and taking it all the way.
You need a common purpose for that. A shared, unbreakable resolve that is undeniable.
In practical terms, you need a core of players coming through with the coach, experiencing the journey with the coach.
We all know where the list is. A last vestige of a golden era, a ballroom of half-filled champagne glasses.
The cult of premiership still pervaded the club, even as Yze stepped through the door. In terms of progression, he is year zero. Still sweeping confetti into the corner.
The club knows what success looks like. How can they not? But there is a certain care, a certain duty to heroes that remain.
Several have retired. Gracefully, on their own terms. Culture upheld like a proud flag over the gates.
The rest of our heroes have been told the club is now cultivating new ground. The hardest conversations have been had and these heroes will continue elsewhere.
There are many in here who question the culture. I understand the point of view but the timelines tell us otherwise. Bolton was perfectly happy until he was not. Rioli also. The club has laid down a vision, a pathway. Coach and players on the same journey. We need draft currency to access the fast lane.
The club is firmly in control. I repeat, the club is in control. Hartley has successfully sold the vision, this is clear. Gale knows what is required more than anyone - he knows what is looming from Tassie.
Punt Road is letting go of the past.
It’s about discovery now. My advice is to relax and enjoy the coming years because I reckon the club has its eyes on the road and hands on the wheel for the first time in years.
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