You played under Brett Lovett and had some reasonable success in your time there, you are now coaching under him, you must have a fantastic relationship?
Without doubt he is the best coach I ever played footy under. I was very fortunate that “Lovie” played a similar role in his playing days as what I did during mine, therefore I was able to work closely with him and gain some invaluable experience from someone that played over 200 very successful and well respected games of league footy. Aside from football he is a guy that I have the utmost respect for mainly due to the values he lives by and the trust he has shown in me over a long period of time.
Your still only 31. Young in terms of a coach and some think you could still be playing! Why have you made the choice to coach this year?
I know I look like I’ve done it tough mate but I’m actually only 29! It has surprised a few people and to be honest probably even myself, however I have always wanted to go down the path of being involved in football post playing days so when the opportunity presented itself to work alongside as well as learn off “Lovie” it just felt like too good of an opportunity to pass up. It’s a great challenge to take on a role like this in the best competition outside of the AFL and I’m very excited about it. As for the playing I just felt that I had achieved everything I set out to in my career (other than playing league footy and winning a premiership) and therefore felt very comfortable in my decision to move on to the next phase.
Being the reserves coach at Sandringham what are you looking to achieve in 2011?
I really hope to be able to help develop such a young group and provide them with the opportunity to play senior VFL football. I want to earn the trust and respect of the group and I believe being young myself and only recently retired I will be able to relate to these boys and provide them with the knowledge and advice they need to continue improving. Obviously the other goal will be to take them deeper in to the finals than what they achieved in 2010.
After being at the club over a month now, how have you found the feeling and people around the club?
Being from Frankston I was obviously not a huge fan of Sandringham! However, they have always been a club I have had a great deal of respect for. The Sandringham Football Club has a great history and has endured some very successful years in this time, and in the short time I have been a part of the club it is very easy to see why. The people are very passionate and professional. I have enjoyed every night I have spent at the club thus far and have no doubt I will continue to do so in the future. I’m excited with the playing group we have and think that with some hard work, honesty and commitment the Sandringham Football Club can get back to assuming its rightful place among the leading VFL clubs.
Last Modified on 03/12/2010 10:43