Al has been on the coast on and off since 1993, when the crime rate increased significantly. He came from Melbourne where he played junior footy at South Melbourne Districts (Percy Baker's club), kicked around with the Tiger's U/19s (Percy mositens up at the thought of it), and finished up in the Amateurs at Beaumauris and Hampton Rovers.
Joined Broady in 1996 and walked straight into a premiership. And was voted best player in the finals. Ask him, he'll tell you. That's what a manager of GoTalk is expected to say. Al returned to Melbourne in 1998 to further his career and took over as Vice Captain and assistant coach at Spotswood, a former swannies territory. Returned to the coast in 2003 and stupidly and successfully applied for assistant senior coach at Labrador for 2005. In 2006 Al was overheard to say "a good coach is one who would lay down his life for the good of the team. Am I prepared to do that for Labrador? No."
In 2007 he returned to Broady as assistant to the senior coach but if you count time put in at the Old Boys then he returned in 2005 where he played at CHF until 2008.
Al is the father of two children - one of each variety, is a sad supporter of Richmond, who were well beaten by the Bloods for the flag in 1933. He fancies a bottle of red with a good steak and hates losing games of footy. His guiding principle in life is a conclusion reached after supporting the Tigers for so long. "Some people are destined never to experience joy, satisfaction and fulfilment in their lives. For these people the Richmond Football Club was created."
Al beat an impressive list of candidates for the U/18s position and we wish him and the players the best of luck for 2010.
Last Modified on 12/12/2010 22:10
