John Mitchell won't extend contract with Force

[brokendown gunfighter]

Methinks Mitch won't be around next year. I think he'll be paid out.

I think you are correct,he will be paid out at the end of the season(depending on finding a suitable replcement)

[shasta]

Thats a very short sighted emotive comment Slomo...

Pretty strange to praise two opposing posts in a row. But while I agree with most of Zim's post, I can't agree with the short sighted comment. Slomo has had his opinion for a long time and stated it fairly often. I've disagreed with it nearly as often.

[MI5_Dog]

Force players not told about Mitchell's exit
http://www.watoday.com.au/rugby-unio...0325-qx1q.html

"Western Force players had no idea their coach John Mitchell intended to announce he would leave the club at the end of his contract – and will only be told officially today."

[shasta]

We will discuss with John the possibility of an ongoing role as we move towards the end of his formal association. - CEO Vern Reid

That part of Mr Reid's statement would seem to indicate RWA are not thinking of paying the coach out any time soon. It might indicate a "passing of the baton" ??

[BeeJay]

Methinks Mitch won't be around next year. I think he'll be paid out.

I have to agree.

Richard graham to step into the breach?

[.X.]

My opinion of Coach Mitchell has been clearly stated here - tho not quite as often as Slomo's.

I thank Coach Mitchell for his efforts and wish him well in the future.

Very interested to see who RugbyWA replace him with - and if its done sooner rather than later.

Also - as a side issue. What are our thoughts on Mitch Hardy as Manager. Our Recruitment efforts of late have left a little to be desired.

Failed to Recruit an experienced hooker.

Recruiting a marquee player who needed personal sponsorship from Elastoplast and Orthopaedic Surgeons 'R US.

[zimeric]

Cynical but understandable Exile

I should elaborate on my "short sighted" comment.

"and still never got us to where we the supporters and the man himself expected us to be in the competition standings........."

is the comment i was referring to by slomo

We the supporters or you the supporter? My expectation was for us to be competitive and being happy that we had a Super14 team we could support and be able to watch them live in my home town..
Yes I wouldve like for them to have been in the finals but seriously lets be realistic.
It is a very competitive comp with established powerhouses.. upsetting the status quo was a optimistic ideal.

there are teams playing in the Super 10 - 12 and now 14 that have rarely if ever been in the top 4, and thats over 15 years!


Chiefs have been in 1 final 1 semi final
Highlanders have been in 1 final 1 semi final
Cheetahs (1 semi final as the Cats)
Lions 0 (1 semi final as the Cats)
Stormers 2 semi- finals



Team Wins Runner-up
Crusaders 7 2
Blues 3 1
Brumbies 2 3
Bulls 2 0
Sharks 0 3
Waratahs 0 2
Highlanders 0 1
Hurricanes 0 1
Chiefs 0 1


it is not easy and when you are an emerging team using "discarded players" and trying to develop a culture to match already existing franchises it is a tall order.
I think he has done very well in getting the triple crown last year and getting oh so close in 07 and 08..

I still have Faith!

i guess im a lot more patient than most ...

[PerthGirl]

Would like to see Tai McIssac come back in a coaching role. He would have had 2 years as a head coach in Japan by 2011, maybe as an assistant coach if not head coach

[scum09]

John Mitchell has done a great job with setting up the team there has been problems in the team which have been well documented.

We need another established coach to come in and take over and no one would suit that better than Jake White. Love or hate the Springbok he tranformed that team and made it is what is today. Im sure that he was approached before this year but the force were threatened with legal action if they got rid of Mitchell.

We should get all the support we can to get the force to get Jake White!

I know he wants to stay until the end of the contract but surely that is just going to make things harder for everyone and wont help recruiting next season knowing that he is going. We need Jake White for next season!

[GIGS20]

Is Link free in 2012?

I'd be happy with that!, but as stated previously, I reckon it'll be a long transition to Richard Graham..........going from Wallaby Skills coach to Force Assistant coach just seems screwy if there's not an extra carrot! particularly when he retains the Wallaby position currently

[James]

Jake "The Springboks don't need a specialist open-side flanker" White?!!?!?!?!?

Why people? Why?!?!??!?!?

Anyone noticed our primary backrow stocks are Pocock, Brown, Hodgson and McCalman. Recipe for disaster.

[kelv]

He is trying to save himself by saying he will go. But it is so far away i say go now.

[The InnFORCEr]

Good on you John making everything crystal clear for all

[Morry]

Mitchell's initial appeal was great to get the top grade players through the door. "the side that produced the MOST wallabies in 2008 and 2009" yet still couldn't make the finals. If he can’t make the finals with the players we’ve had he never will.

[hertryk]

Spoke to Mitch today at the Captain's Run..Fully committed to the task for next 15 months or so..would really love to leave on a high...to finsih what he came to do...His son who is 19 is settled in Perth, and by 2012 his daughter will be ready for Uni...He believes the time is right, and he has no plans ..he doesn't favour the Northern Hemisphere and putting up with the horrible weather..