Every sacked coach reacts differently. Some turn up in civvies and conduct what is essentially a job interview for their next role. Some know their fate 12 months out, grit their teeth and toe the company line. For some it’s a relief, a chance to take a deep breath for the first time in years. Some, like Michael Voss, are let go after months of bad losses. Others, like Simon Goodwin, are sacked 48 hours after an 83-point win.
Every sacking is different from the club’s perspective too. When Brad Scott and North Melbourne parted ways, his chairman said the coach was “nothing short of selfless and honourable, as befitting his character”. When David Noble exited in 2022, president Sonja Hood rejected suggestions he’d been sacked. “We came to an agreement that we would terminate the contract or that the contract would end,” she said.
