John Eales takes a look at the difficult situation developing at the Western Force following John Mitchell's decision to leave the franchise in 2011 in The Sydney Morning Herald.
"Life is more like a Ferris Wheel than a merry-go-round: when the music stops not everyone steps off equally.
"When Western Force coach John Mitchell's management announced he would not be continuing as the coach of the Force beyond the completion of his current contract, their man stepped off comfortably at ground level whereas the club was stuck awkwardly somewhere in the air. Mitchell's decision, about 1½ seasons before his contract expires, couldn't be more tactical or couldn't be worse, depending on from whose perspective you see it.
"From Mitchell's perspective, the announcement could be looked at as tactical, but arguably it is also self-serving and does the Force, which stood by him through an enquiry at the beginning of last season, no favours. His management has taken control of their client's situation, which of course is their prerogative. After all, they need to sell Mitchell into his next role and this might now be easier than it would have been were it the Force that announced that they would not renew his deal."
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