DARREN MONCRIEFF
Monday 9 April 2012
FORMER AFL players are calling the shots as coaches at this week's National Indigenous Under-15 KickStart Championships on the Gold Coast.
It points to what's often said of those as 'puttng back into the game'. The State and Territory team's one-time AFL players are certainly doing that.
However, that core practice is not totally confined to former AFL players, with several legendary State league and country representative footballers on board at the championships in a variety of key roles.
Last year's winners, Western Australia, again have former Fremantle and Brisbane Lions premiership player Des Headland in charge of the clipboard.
Joining him as assistant coach is South Fremantle legend Cliff Collard.
South Australia, which finished last year's championships in third place, have a core group of players from the first tournament running around again.
Calling the shots from the sidelines for the young Nungas are former AFL players Eddie Hocking (Adelaide) and Daniel Motlop (North Melbourne, Port Adelaide).
Like Headland, this will be Hocking's second time as State coach.
Former St Kilda and Brisbane Bears full-back Russell Jeffrey (pictured), who coaches NTFL Premier League club Palmerston, is leading the Northern Territory team in his first time at the championships.
Alongside Jeffrey as assistant coach is another former AFL player, Shannon Rusca.
Former Tiwi Bombers coach, and the man who played a large role in that team's ultimate success, Brenton Toy, is also inside the coaches box for the NT.
Anthony Corrie, who played for Collingwood and Brisbane Lions, is leading last year's runners-up Queensland, taking over the role vacated by triple AFL premiership player, Darryl White.
With Corrie helping with the young Murris is AFL Queensland's Indigenous programs co-ordinator, and Labrador Football Club utility, Jesse Green.
AboriginalFootball@westnet.com.au
Last Modified on 09/04/2012 20:31