Alarms bells were ringing at Metricon Stadium on Friday but Gold Coast Suns coach Guy McKenna vowed to stick with a gameplan that has placed his job under scrutiny.
Twice an emergency evacuation test interrupted McKenna as he pleaded his case ahead of Saturday night’s AFL clash with Essendon as speculation swirled around his position.
McKenna tried to make light of the untimely drills but he didn’t have to be told his current situation is no laughing matter.
The club board is reviewing off-contract McKenna’s position after the Suns began the 2012 season with two heavy losses, sparking talk that ex-Sydney premiership coach Paul Roos may be in line for his job.
Results of the review will be known mid-season – but McKenna insisted his young side would fire before then.
And McKenna said success would be achieved with the new defensive structures that have placed him under such enormous pressure.
“I am going to back myself … that once the players buy into it things will turn, and with our young list it should happen sooner rather than later,” McKenna said.
“But I am not going to shy away from it just to save my own skin.
“It’s about teaching these boys.
“It’s going to look ugly, it’s going to look bad at times.
“It probably looks bad now because we just don’t have that effort.”
McKenna said he was “comfortable” with the board’s decision to launch a review.
But he pleaded for patience as his second-year team found its feet with a new defensive structure.
“Look at Ross Lyon who instigated the massive frontal press (at St Kilda) – with an older squad it took him a year,” McKenna said.
“Look at John Worsfold. He implemented something that almost cost him his job (at West Coast) – let’s be honest – (because it took) two years.
“We have been teaching this to the boys for about six weeks.”
McKenna said there was simple solution to their woes – but getting his youngsters to execute it was another thing.
“It’s about owning the ball in contested situations, trench warfare, call it what you like,” he said.
“All I can do is make sure we have that effort, win a bit of contested footy and we can play the type of footy we want to play – the rest will take care of itself.
“The end result (of the job review) will be determined by that. I am comfortable with the process.”
Life for the Gold Coast – who boast a percentage of just 41.7 – does not look like getting any easier against an unbeaten Essendon.
The Bombers put on a record 15.4 in the first term in their corresponding clash last year before easing to a 139-point win over the Suns.
Asked if he had touched on last year’s first quarter against Essendon, McKenna said: “I have been talking about the first quarter since we started in the competition – none of our first quarters look great.”
