The Penrith Rams are delighted to announce the appointment of Phil McGuinness as senior coach for the 2012 Sydney AFL season. McGuinness comes to the Rams highly credentialed after a stellar playing career in the SANFL, where he played 88 games and kicked 91 goals for Glenelg between 1991-95, before crossing to Port Adelaide where he played 134 games and kicked 177 goals between 1996 and 2002. He played in premierships with the Magpies in 1996 and 1999, as well as being their leading goalkicker in 1997 and taking out their Best & Fairest award in 2000.
As a coach, McGuinness took Newcastle City to the Black Diamond AFL (BDAFL) premiership in 2010, before coaching the BDAFL Representative side in 2011. He brings a wealth of experience to the Rams, having played under current GWS Giants assistant coach and former Port Adelaide AFL premiership coach Mark Williams, as well as other luminaries such as 10 time Port Adelaide premiership winning coach in the SANFL and former Collingwood mentor John Cahill.
Penrith Chairman Kevin Tate was thrilled with the appointment, describing it as “significant not only for the Rams but for football overall within the Western Sydney region. Phil’s experience and football pedigree in playing over 200 SANFL games further enhances our desire to compete and be successful at the highest level in Sydney.”
For his part, McGuinness outlined his reasons for coming to Penrith. “I am a strong believer that the off-field team in a football club are a good indicator of the club’s cultural standards in general, and that those standards resonate with the players and are transferred onto the field.” said McGuinness. “So before I had even seen a game or a training session, I knew that the Rams had a passion to succeed. Together with the recent success of the club and a demand for continued success from all concerned, I knew that taking the role as coach was a challenge that I wanted to take on, and I believe that what I can bring to the club can build on last year’s success.”
When pressed on this point, McGuinness expands “It sounds obvious, but I like to call it as I see it as a coach. I see myself as approachable and love talking footy with anyone.” Whilst not wanting to reveal too much about the game plan he will bring to the Rams, he was clear on his basic philosophies. “I expect the game to be played in close quarters, not at arms-length, and that the style of game that is played all year is the one that will win finals. My basic philosophy is that you play to make your team mate best on ground, don’t make excuses, and that you enjoy the moment as you are a long time out of the game.”
Understandably, he has a number of coaching mentors that he looks up to. ”I have to say that Stephen Williams was my greatest coaching influence, he is a very strong character and his passion for the success of the club was as great as anyone’s, and that’s a tough thing to achieve at Port. John Cahill had a massive influence on me in a short space of time. Jack had an aura about him, he would walk amongst the players pre-match and calmly but forcefully speak of the things that he wanted from you, and it would get you to a state where you were jumping out of your skin. Mark Williams was the most positive, energetic person I have ever met. It’s no exaggeration to say that you could hear his voice from the other side of the ground with a crowd of 30,000 people at the game. That’s not to say that only Port Adelaide people have a license on success, Steve and Mark’s father Fos was originally from West Adelaide before he came to Port and won a record six premierships in a row in the 60’s. While I never met the great man, I still have a five page paper of his that was given to me by Stephen on how to play as a rover, so you could say that Fos has had an indirect influence on me as well.” said McGuinness.
Given his extensive playing experience, it’s tempting to ask McGuinness about this part of his career. He nominates his old Port Adelaide captain, Tim Ginever, and tough backman Paul Northeast as two of his favourites, whilst prolific full-forward Scott Hodges was the best player that he played alongside. “These blokes aren’t necessarily household names throughout the country, but they are in South Australia, and they’re the equal of any AFL names that I’ve played with, not to mention that they have won 21 premierships between them.”
In other coaching appointments, Michael Bottrill will look after the reserves after assisting Kevin Tate in taking the side to the Division 4 grand final in 2011, whilst last year’s victorious senior coach, Geoff Payne, will take charge of the U/18’s. The Rams also welcome John Rix, President of the Emu Plains junior club for many years, as he takes charge of the inaugural Division 5 outfit. The club are also very confident of being able to field a womans team for the first time in the SWAFL, with over 20 prospective players expressing interest, and excellent numbers at their early training sessions.
Last Modified on 17/03/2012 19:49