Oakleigh Chargers unbeaten start to the season, the club’s best ever beginning comes on the back of many factors.
While the Chargers have capitalised on the availability of its private school players and a greater depth, what can’t be under scored is the coaching staff.
And, it extends beyond senior coach Steve Grace.
In fact, Grace has called in a marker or two from his AFL contacts and the results have been nothing short of stunning.
The Chargers have enjoyed a host of AFL players – St Kilda teammates Lenny Hayes and Steven King, Western Bulldogs Daniel Giansiracusa and Melbourne’s Michael Newton - helping out on the training track once a week.
Grace explained four players take a group of players for specialised training: King with the rucks; Hayes with the midfielders; Giansiracusa with kicking, skills and decision making and Newton with the forwards
“It’s something that I’ve been keen to do. Steven King was involved in a low capacity a couple of years ago when I first became involved with the club,” Grace said.
“I was keen to get him back involved again, he was a fantastic role model. I was able to initiate that again and through Steven we were able to get Lenny Hayes.
“We think we have the best ruckman in the competition in Jason Castricum and Steve has worked with him.
“We put a lot of emphasis on our midfield and to have Lenny Hayes working with our midfielders, especially in pressured, contested situations are great.
“Daniel Giansiracusa has been involved in the national Under 16 program before. We just followed up a lead and he came on board and I’ve got some contacts at Melbourne and they wanted young Michael to get involved in another area to improve his mindset.
“There is a mix of on-ground, technical and drill work, game vision and mentoring. It’s invaluable having them there with their presence, but they are quality people and great role models.”
Grace said the players had worked extremely hard over pre-season on contested areas and game set plays.
Oakleigh has 26 players either involved with the Vic Metro Under 18 Championship squad or the Under 17 Academy program.
While that in itself is a great achievement what it has also allowed the Chargers to do is put extra time in with the rest of the squad.
“We have a fantastic coaching program where we have all these AFL players coming down to help out,” Grace said.
Last Modified on 05/05/2010 15:41