Time flies, just ask dual Essendon premiership player Darren Bewick, new coach of Eastern Ranges.
It just seems like a couple of years ago that Bewick cut his coaching teeth with Gippsland Power.
But, on closer inspection it’s eight years since Bewick ended his two-year stint with the Power.
Interestingly, during Bewick’s last year in Gippsland he coached a gifted youngster named Brendon Goodard taken by St Kilda with the No 1 selection in the 2002 AFL National Draft.
Another player who came through the Power program under Bewick was Goddard’s St Kilda teammate Jason Gram who played alongside him in last year’s Grand Final.
And, Essendon midfielder Jason Wunderlich earned a spot in the 2002 TAC Cup Team Of The Year under Bewick’s tutelage.
After the 2002 season Bewick headed north to accept a coaching post in the Northern Territory for a couple of years before being appointed to the Kangaroos’ coaching staff in 2005.
Bewick spent five seasons with Dean Laidley at the Roos but that ended with the appointment of new coach Brett Scott who brought in his own team of assistants.
He accepted the job with the Ranges in late December, ironically when incumbent coach Shane Watson joined North Melbourne’s coaching staff.
While a sea of new faces confronts him at the Ranges, some things don’t change. Just like when he was with Gippsland, Bewick finds the players just as willing and eager to learn and improve themselves.
“It’s still the same competition,” Bewick said.
“It’s still a great breeding ground for the players to come through. They’re virtually playing AFL as 18-year-olds.
“I’m really pleased to again be involved with such a great competition. After five years as being an assistant (coach), I just wanted to get out and coach again under my own right.
“I had a look interstate, but when the opportunity to get involved again with the TAC Cup, I grabbed it.”
While Bewick was a late starter to the Ranges – he didn’t take the job until late December – he’s already impressed with the playing group.
“The longer they player together and learn what we are trying to implement the better they will be,” he said.
During his earlier stint, Bewick took Gippsland to a second-placing in his first season with the club. He’s unsure of what season 2010 holds.
But, he’s confident of one thing. “I think we will be competitive and really give their all every week,” he predicted.