By Travis Parnaby
North Melbourne premiership player Shannon Grant says he cannot wait to mould Frankston’s exciting crop of youngsters and reliable veterans for season 2009.
The freshly-appointed Frankston coach told 3AW he was "feeling pretty good" about his first senior coaching role.
"To be honest it's happened pretty quickly but I'm just glad to get a great opportunity like this," Grant, who ruled-out playing, said.
"Hopefully we can do quite well and i'm looking forward to getting into pre-season next month.
"I've been learning as much as I can about the players and the list was there last year. I've basically been making contact with them and making sure they're keen to stay on board and contribute to playing some good footy next year.”
Grant said he was yet to devise Frankston’s playing style and it would be based on the players at his disposal.
"At the moment, it's about learning about my list and from there on in deciding what brand of footy we'll play,” Grant said.
"It really depends on the players you have, the list you have.
"You're basic game plan, your set-up and your structures are based around the players you have. I don't think you can go in and say 'this is the way we're playing footy'. It depends on the players you have.
"Once I get my head around that, I'll work all that out."
Grant, who played under four coaches in his 301-game AFL career, said he would take different aspects of each when formulating his own coaching approach.
"All of the coaches I've had have been pretty different," Grant said.
"Denis (Pagan) was very good at getting inside players minds and their head and twisitng and turning them a little bit...a very good motivator.
"Then you've got Dean Laidley who's tactically-minded and knowledge of the game is very good.
"Being able to have a good mix of expertise, stands in good stead going forward."
Grant takes over a solid foundation of players, who finished fifth under outgoing coach Brett Lovett last season.
"I've been lucky enough to meet a few people at the football club, we've reviewed the list and trying to get a bit of a gauge on the under-18s that are coming through,” Grant said.
"There's a lot of good young talent in the side and you mix that with the experienced, older guys that you have in the side, they are certainly very good footballers and they are very capable on their own day.
“Certainly looking forward to getting to know them and gelling them together."
Pagan, his former coach, praised Grant for his ability to always give 100 per cent on the ground.
"That 1999 Grand Final, the North Smith Medal winner and four goals, terrific stuff,” Pagan said on 3AW.
Pagan said Grant had an amazing ability to "turn nothing into something pretty special".
"It was his ability to win the ball when no-one else could win it," Pagan reflected.
"He wasn't a super quick player Shannon but gee he won so many games off his own boot."
Last Modified on 13/01/2009 17:58