MARK Thompson's relationship with Jake Carlisle is fine, but the Essendon coach will not be swayed by external pressure when deciding whether to play the talented tall forward or in defence this season.
Carlisle was one of the Bombers' key contributors in his more accomplished defensive post, playing a leading role in his side's 50-point belting of Richmond in the Dreamtime game at the MCG on Saturday night.
Earlier this year, the pair were reportedly at loggerheads about Carlisle's desire to play permanently in defence but Thompson said that assumption could not be further from the truth.
"The relationship's fine. It's a beat up by you guys (the media), let's be honest," Thompson said after the game.
"He comes into my office more than anyone, desperate to stay in the side. And I like him.
"I do. There's no problems."
Forced to play in defence against the Tigers, after Michael Hurley was ruled out of the side with a back complaint on Saturday afternoon, Carlisle thrived with 20 disposals and 10 marks.
Carlisle, along with Dustin Fletcher and Cale Hooker, kept the Tigers to just three goals by three-quarter time, before Jack Riewoldt kicked three in the final term to boost his side's figures late in the game.
But when asked whether Carlisle would be played as a full-time defender, Thompson would not be moved on his future plans for the talented 198cm swingman.
"I knew his form would come around – he's a good player, we all know that," Thompson said.
"What I am not going to do is get influenced by public perception. I'm going to do what I think is right and what the coaching group thinks is right. And we know better than most."
Thompson also indicated he wanted the 39-year-old Fletcher to extend his career into a 23rd season in 2015.
"Who knows? If he keeps playing like that, there's no reason for him to finish, is there?” Thompson said.
"And you shouldn't cut people's careers short. Whose career gets cut short when they're playing well? Hardly anyone."
The Bombers coach was in a particularly jovial mood in his post-match press conference, but he turned serious when asked about his coaching future.
He was keen to hose down a slip of the tongue where he hinted in a Channel 7 interview, immediately after the game, he would not be there in any capacity at Essendon next season.
"I won't be here - I won't be coaching," Thompson said.
"James is coming back, we all know that.
"I meant I wouldn't be ... senior coach, because we know Hirdy is coming back."
But when pushed on that matter, Thompson was less definitive.
"I don't know, to be honest - all I know is I'm coach this year and I'm doing my best," he said.
