IT would not have been a Western Force season if there had not been controversy to kick it off. And this year it was a cracker: a player and staff revolt.
A revolt that led to the independent investigation into John Mitchell's coaching style.

There had been warning signs of disquiet at the end of last season, but too many in power seemingly chose to ignore them or tried to gloss over what was becoming a glaringly obvious problem.

When it publicly erupted it cast long and unwanted shadows and, despite continual denials to the contrary, took too much focus away from the season's preparation.

But those shadows served to hide another simmering problem - disquiet by some leading players with some off-field hierarchy and, in particular, the matter of trying to keep star playmaker Matt Giteau.

That all came to a head when rugby's worst-kept secret was confirmed - Giteau was going home to the Brumbies.

His loss could have been avoided if a second sponsorship deal, worth about $1.6million, had been offered earlier and Giteau had been assured that changes were on the way.

When he made his announcement, a leading member of that second syndicate claimed Giteau had lost trust in the hierarchy.

Maybe that strong message sunk in and was the catalyst that started necessary changes.

One insider said: "The club is now determined to ensure there are no more controversies.

"The culture is changing. It has been too free in the past. We are moving towards a committed group.

"The type of people we are getting are those who want to be at the Force, who want to work for the Force."

There is one new face on the board. Tony Howarth is expected to be groomed to take over the chairmanship from the long-standing Geoff Stooke.

Another new member will be needed when Vern Reid officially becomes chief executive and moves from the board.

Mitchell seemingly re-invented himself in his relationship with his players and is expected to be at the helm until 2011.

However, there was still a fragile coaching structure and it was no surprise when assistant John Mulvihill resigned.

On-field, there was a sense of underachievement.

What if the Force had won - as it should have - the opening game against the Blues?

What if the try by Stormers fullback Joe Pietersen had (correctly) been ruled out?

If only the Force had not given up the win against the Hurricanes after the siren.

If only it could have produced more of the type of the try-scoring feast that it did against the Lions.

At times it was hard to pick which Force would turn up to play.

Would it be the one that did not turn up at the opening whistle against the Chiefs and Crusaders, or the one that comprehensively beat the Brumbies and Reds?

Would it be the one that blew its season in the heartbreaking loss to the Hurricanes or the one that flogged the Lions?

Highlights included the unprecedented hat-trick of derby wins against the Brumbies, Reds and Waratahs.

Mitchell has developed an attacking, entertaining brand of rugby, although his team has at times struggled to put it on show.

Departing chief executive Greg Harris said the club would be chasing players who want to play for the Force and not just because of lucrative offers.

He has re-signed Wallaby No.8 Richard Brown and snared New Zealand prop Tim Fairbrother and Wallabies halfback Brett Sheehan.

Now, his biggest task before leaving is to get teenage sensation James O'Connor to recommit and keep the Force in the hunt for Stormers five-eighth Peter Grant.

Whether the Force can cover the departure of players such as Giteau, Drew Mitchell, Scott Staniforth, Tai McIsaac and Junior Pelesasa is questionable.

Only time will tell, but at least the Force has kicked Subiaco Oval into touch once and for all.

http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/stor...005403,00.html