June 26, 2025 • 14 mins
This week we're talking grand returns to grassroots footy by legends of the game. We'll hear from two of SA's favourites of the last 30 years, Tyson Edwards and Tom Jonas.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:03):
Hi, I'm Jackie Lynn with iHeart Essay. This week we
shine a light on a growing and inspiring trend, former
AFL players returning home to play your coach in local leagues.
Whether it's lacing up the boots again, taking the clipboard
to the boundary line, or mentoring young players on the rise,
these footy legends are doing more than just showing up
on game day. They're revitalizing communities, drawing crowds and injecting
(00:26):
decades of elite experience into grassroots clubs. First up, we
speak to a five time club champion and four time
Team of the Year nominee who played over one hundred
games in the sand Fall for North Adelaide, including in
two Grand finals, Crystal Brooks Campbell Comb spent six years
at the Roosters, but has returned to his home club
this year. Our reporter Sam Talbot caught up with Campbell,
(00:49):
taking us back to his first game with a sample
and how it was going from country footy to something
a bit more serious.
Speaker 2 (00:55):
Definitely a change. I think I was fortunate I went
through the North Adelaide Dunior pro so I sort of
had a taste of it playing under sixteens and under eighteens,
But yeah, it was definitely a change and a shots
of system, I guess is with our professional and the
standards they all set compared to country football was obviously
it's a lot higher standard and s obviously more trainings
(01:16):
and intensity at trainings and all that sort of thing.
But I sort of, like I said, very fortunate to
go through the junior programs at Northilta as well, so
sort of gives you a taste of what you're in for.
Speaker 3 (01:26):
And we always do you think you were always going
to play country footy again? Like you wouldn't just call
it totally quits after playing in the sample?
Speaker 2 (01:34):
Yeah, I think, Yeah, I definitely always knew i'd come
back to finish my career at christal Brooker. Like I said,
I absolutely love my time at North Alida, and then
maybe if I lived down there, I could have probably
kept playing another couple of years. But I'm also really
excited that, you know, to go back to my junior
club and finish off from my career back there, which
is really exciting.
Speaker 3 (01:54):
Going back to your junior footy days, do you have
any good memories about playing June your footy in the
Brook or or a game that sticks out.
Speaker 2 (02:04):
I think we're very fortunate to come through a successful
period there and playing in a few premierships. I think
they're the games that really really stick out. I can
still still think back and remember the days where we
won I think a couple of Junior Coult's Premierships and
I still, yeah, still look back on them very very fondly.
So I think that they're probably the games that remember
the most.
Speaker 3 (02:24):
Did you get any advice back in those days? Were
there other guys trying to make it in Adelaide?
Speaker 2 (02:30):
Yeah, it's definitely been Yeah, plenty of plenty of guys
who have been down Adelaide, you know, are very fortunate
to have some very talented footballers from from crystal Brook
throughout over the years. You know Nick Joyce, he got
drafted to Adelaide Crows. He was a couple of years
older than me, and then sort of you know like
Luke Capitole Is, Daniel Hills, Shane Arvins. You know, had
plenty of plenty of good players we've been down and
had a crack down in town. So yeah, they're also
(02:53):
very helpful growing up in handing plenty of advice.
Speaker 3 (02:56):
Crystal Brook came forth last year. I guess you might
be expecting the boys to go a bit better.
Speaker 2 (03:02):
Yeah. I think it was a pretty even competition last year.
I think the top four were really really close. And yeah,
I don't know. Hopefully we can put him for a
good year this year. Yeah, obviously won't be easy. It's
going to be a very even competition. Again.
Speaker 3 (03:16):
The opposition might see, oh, geez, team's here, we better
tag him.
Speaker 2 (03:21):
Yeah, I don't know about that. We'll can end it,
my Brotherager, you can have a tag ik over.
Speaker 1 (03:26):
In the Riverland, the Murray Valley Footy League enjoyed a
special appearance from a Port Adelaide great last weekend. Tom
Jonas played two hundred and sixteen games for the Power,
including ninety four as captain, before hanging up the boots
in twenty twenty three. Our journal in the Riverland Locky
win All spoke to Jonas just before he ran out
onto the field in the one car strip.
Speaker 4 (03:46):
The lure of community country footy rings true for the
former Port Adelaide start, who recently played a game in
the Murray Valley Football Netball League for the Wonker Bulldogs.
The Bulldogs took on Ram and what was a big
day for the small farming community of Wonka, and we
were lucky enough to catch up with Tom just prior
(04:07):
to the game.
Speaker 5 (04:08):
Yeah, we're really fortunate that Cube Holding to have a
bit of a presence in the region, the supportive of
One Car. They got a relationship there, so it's sort
of their initiative and yeah, it's all about, like you said,
just a bit of a morale booth. I mean, had
a little bit of rain the last fortnight, but it's
been pretty lean for a fair while, so we can
(04:29):
get up there and they carry on a bit and
having a bit of fun with the locals, and yeah,
that's what it's all about. They're always incredibly welcoming and
there's nothing like a bit of country hospitality as well.
It was so nice to get back to the grassroots, Tim.
Speaker 4 (04:42):
I understand it's not your first time playing for the
Wonker Balldocks came up to One.
Speaker 5 (04:47):
Car last year and they rolled out the red carpet.
It was a ripping day and more just to come
up there and have a bit of fun and put
some smiles on faces hopefully, and yeah, get around the community.
Speaker 1 (05:02):
We also heard from the vice president for one FC,
Rodney Tonkin about what the exhibition match and Jonas's involvement
means to the community.
Speaker 6 (05:11):
Yeah, it does. It increase the crowd numbers by a
little bit. The pros are probably really like the actual
players themselves, you know, to have the chance to actually
play with XRFL player, you know, really uplifting and they
really get excited before the game coming leading up to it. Yeah,
and then on the day, you know, if you see
(05:31):
them really light up and take it on board and
the after game experience, you know, just when the guys
just having a chat after the game about how they
play it and you know and giving them some guidance.
Speaker 7 (05:41):
Yeah, that's awesome. I'm guessing the kids would have loved
it as well, seeing like an x power player like
Tommy Jonas run out.
Speaker 6 (05:48):
Yeah, yeh. Everyone really has a good day and it's
also good for spectators to see some high class football
win played.
Speaker 7 (05:55):
The qube logistics, Can you tell us a little bit
about that cube is.
Speaker 6 (05:59):
A come me that cut out the awe from the
middroom mine. So they jumped on board of this a
couple of years ago. And a black Ben Kennedy, he's
an ex AFL player as well. He's actually a lot
logistics manager and I got to know him through a
rental property and yeah, that's where it all basically started from.
Speaker 7 (06:17):
So and is that how Tommy Jonas he knows Tommy
Jonas and he gets him to come and play.
Speaker 6 (06:23):
Yeah, basically Tom went and worked for Cube for a
little a short bit of time. And yeah, and that's
when the first game started, with both Ben and Tom
playing for Wonka last year.
Speaker 7 (06:36):
And I'm guessing sort of in the future, you're sort
of hoping to keep this going.
Speaker 6 (06:40):
Yeah, it would really like to. Got a pretty good
relationship with Justin and Ben, which both worked for Cuban
And yeah, it's a great day. Everyone at WANKA really
loves Cube day and yeah, hopefully it continues on the future.
Speaker 1 (06:55):
Coming up after the break, we chat with a crows
great from the ninety and early two thousands, I.
Speaker 4 (07:03):
Hart Essie, I Hartesside.
Speaker 1 (07:08):
Welcome back, the boots are laced, the Banter's brewing, and
the weekend starts right now. Today we're talking grand returns
to grassroots footy by legends of the game. From dusty
country ovals to suburban clubhouses. Former AFL stars are breathing
new life into our local leagues. Some great examples include
Collingwood Star and Brownlow medalist Dane Swan running out with
(07:30):
south Wayala in twenty twenty two, and Adelaide Crow's Great
and Showdown medallist Graham Johncock, who's currently the president of
the Malley Park Footy Club. Over in Port Lincoln, crowds
are swelling, young players are learning from the best, and
communities are reaping the rewards. Tyson Edwards played over three
hundred and twenty games with the Crows, including in their
(07:50):
nineteen ninety seven and ninety eight premierships, before retiring in
twenty ten. He then tried his hand at coaching with
Port Adelaide between twenty twelve and twenty five, and this
year he's taken over as the head coach of Taylorm
Bend in the River Murray League. The Eagle was currently
sitting fifth on the ladder, compared to just a notch
above the Wooden Spoon last year, so already a bit
(08:11):
of a jump. Tysan's career has been labeled one of
the most consistent and durable in the history of the game.
I spoke to him about how much of that he's
been able to bring to taylorm since taking the.
Speaker 8 (08:22):
Reins early days at the Crows, I wasn't that consistent.
I was pretty inconsistent, sort of in an avid team
for the first two or three years. So that was
sort of a goal of mine to become more consistent,
become a regular member of the team. And then once
that took place, it was that member that performing, you know,
at a really consistent level for as long as I could.
And obviously I didn't have too many injuries that helped
(08:45):
me back and was able to obviously play with some
of them as well. So it's all the management side
of things, so obviously gives you a lot of experience
that you can help with no matter what level you're coaching,
will involved with it. It can help with that level.
And obviously my time at Ada was fantastic for the
coaching side of it, and you know, being at one
club for so long at the Crows, it was nice
(09:06):
to see a different environment, different coaching philosophies, so that
can certainly. Obviously in the country it's a lot less
I guess pressure and the demands aren't as high and
you know you're going got the guys a couple times
a week and you know, they're all playing for fun
rather than for money, so there's that side of it,
but you know, they still want to win, and there's
certain things where we can certainly sort of help them
(09:28):
get to where they want to get to, and we've
sort of started that already. There's been a bit more
consistent effort from our guys. We're trying to add to
the group as little bit as well, to make them
give us a bit more depth, which will help obviously
the results on the weekend. But it's a really good
young group necessarily integrating a few things as we go
once they get the hang of it each each one
that we're throwing at them. So it's been good so far.
Speaker 1 (09:45):
You're currently sitting fifth on the ladder with four wins.
That's compared to two wins last year for Tailor Ben,
so a bit of a jump already jump up the
ladder and a jump in wins. So obviously what you're
bringing is paying off for the boys.
Speaker 8 (09:58):
Yeah, it looks so far, so good. Yeah. Yeah, we've
lost a few of that sort of key taller targets
to one in the preseason haven't even played yet. He
may play a couple either one of our key forwards
that may play a couple of games towards the end
of the season. Obviously, we've lost their captain and ruckman
in the first game of the year for the whole
year he's had his knee, and a key back is
only played a couple of games as well. So it's
(10:21):
never perfect. But you know, if we had those guys,
things might have looked a little bit different as well.
But yeah, there's been some improvement. There's a bit more
structure to it. The players are sort of understanding their
roles and what helps us win, and also incorporating some
younger players into that as well, be as the fun
of bend. For whatever reason, they had some really good
juniors for a long time and it's about sort of
(10:43):
giving them opportunity, exposing them to the higher levels and
obviously when he just started. But it's been a promleting
start and hopefully hopefully there's a few more wins for
us yet before the end of the season.
Speaker 1 (10:52):
Yeah, what about a shift in morale? Has there been
much of that? We're talking to a few people around
the place. Spoke to Tom Jonas as well. He just
played a game in Wonka up in the Riverland it
does boost morale for players and supporters. I would imagine
having someone of your sort of standing out there on
the field.
Speaker 8 (11:12):
Yeah, I think I think that helps a little bit
for sure, having some sort of profile, and I think
you know, with that, you get sort of whether you
deserve it or or you get sort of the respect
straight up, and then you need to sort of prove
that you know, what you're trying to do is working.
And I think a big philosophy of my coaching is
sort of building relationships with the players and actually getting
known them a little bit, having a bit of fun
(11:33):
as well. And you know, obviously winning is the best
form to keep the morale up. And the big part
of that is trying to keep the young players there
for a little bit longer, and trying to get the
supporters and people have been there a long time, trying
to get them encouraged and excited to come along and
watch us play. It's hopefully a better brand of footy,
And you know, that's the feedback we've been getting at
the moment that you can see the guys have had.
(11:55):
You know, there's more structure there, They're more they know
what they're they're doing, and I think a few more
results is obviously helping that as well, so having a
few wins and had a good win win on the weekend,
and as I said earlier, hopefully a few more to come.
Speaker 1 (12:08):
You mentioned that, you know, getting people that have been
coming out for years coming out more regularly perhaps, or
what have you? Have you noticed more community interest or
involvement since your appointment.
Speaker 8 (12:18):
From my perspective, we've sort of you know, I guess
the thing you look at is people that are there
after the game and come back to the rooms, you know,
for the presentations and those sorts of things, and we've
had really good numbers in there, so you know, from
my point of view, that's positive. We value the past.
We had a pass player a day early in the
year which which we had good representation from had all
(12:40):
those guys that wanted to come in the rooms, you know,
for the pre match and after the game, and I'm
there for the presentations afterwards, and that's super important to
keep all those engaged because they stay at the club. Really,
you know, they have been part of history and we
want them as much as we can. And I know
the players enjoy seeing them there and seeing more people
(13:00):
not all.
Speaker 1 (13:00):
About the past players as well, though, it's very much
about the future for you and you're nurturing that young talent.
So what's the what's the goal with your players, Got
anyone that's planning on moving up to you know, become
the next Tyson Edwards.
Speaker 8 (13:15):
I'm sure a lot of these kids have got those
goals and dreams, and there's there's certainly a good crop
of young kids coming through. You know, it's not easy,
you know, it is a it's a hard journey. It's
there's plenty of young kids across the country now that
you see a future in you AFL footy, and it's
fantastic to be involved if you can so. But yeah,
(13:35):
we're trying to, I guess, manage them as best as possible.
Most of the young, the real talented ones are in
the West Delay program already and we see them, you know,
every so often, and as much as we can, we'll
have them. But obviously it's most important for me, I think,
is pushing kids up to always higher level. And I
think with our group that like our Aiden's group, are
(13:58):
really strong and most weeks win by win by a lot,
which is which is great, but you know, you want
them to be challenged as well, and that's that's sort
of the aim as far as pushing them up and
exposing them to higher levels. So definitely, can you keep
coming through and you want to see them keep coming
through for sure.
Speaker 1 (14:13):
That's it for this week. Don't forget You can hear
iHeart Essay in the iHeart app or wherever you get
your podcasts. I'm Jackie Limb. Join us again next week
for more of the stories you want to hear. I
Heart Essay The Voice of South Australia I Heart Essay
Hi, I'm Jackie Lynn with iHeart Essay. This week we
shine a light on a growing and inspiring trend, former
AFL players returning home to play your coach in local leagues.
Whether it's lacing up the boots again, taking the clipboard
to the boundary line, or mentoring young players on the rise,
these footy legends are doing more than just showing up
on game day. They're revitalizing communities, drawing crowds and injecting
(00:26):
decades of elite experience into grassroots clubs. First up, we
speak to a five time club champion and four time
Team of the Year nominee who played over one hundred
games in the sand Fall for North Adelaide, including in
two Grand finals, Crystal Brooks Campbell Comb spent six years
at the Roosters, but has returned to his home club
this year. Our reporter Sam Talbot caught up with Campbell,
(00:49):
taking us back to his first game with a sample
and how it was going from country footy to something
a bit more serious.
Speaker 2 (00:55):
Definitely a change. I think I was fortunate I went
through the North Adelaide Dunior pro so I sort of
had a taste of it playing under sixteens and under eighteens,
But yeah, it was definitely a change and a shots
of system, I guess is with our professional and the
standards they all set compared to country football was obviously
it's a lot higher standard and s obviously more trainings
(01:16):
and intensity at trainings and all that sort of thing.
But I sort of, like I said, very fortunate to
go through the junior programs at Northilta as well, so
sort of gives you a taste of what you're in for.
Speaker 3 (01:26):
And we always do you think you were always going
to play country footy again? Like you wouldn't just call
it totally quits after playing in the sample?
Speaker 2 (01:34):
Yeah, I think, Yeah, I definitely always knew i'd come
back to finish my career at christal Brooker. Like I said,
I absolutely love my time at North Alida, and then
maybe if I lived down there, I could have probably
kept playing another couple of years. But I'm also really
excited that, you know, to go back to my junior
club and finish off from my career back there, which
is really exciting.
Speaker 3 (01:54):
Going back to your junior footy days, do you have
any good memories about playing June your footy in the
Brook or or a game that sticks out.
Speaker 2 (02:04):
I think we're very fortunate to come through a successful
period there and playing in a few premierships. I think
they're the games that really really stick out. I can
still still think back and remember the days where we
won I think a couple of Junior Coult's Premierships and
I still, yeah, still look back on them very very fondly.
So I think that they're probably the games that remember
the most.
Speaker 3 (02:24):
Did you get any advice back in those days? Were
there other guys trying to make it in Adelaide?
Speaker 2 (02:30):
Yeah, it's definitely been Yeah, plenty of plenty of guys
who have been down Adelaide, you know, are very fortunate
to have some very talented footballers from from crystal Brook
throughout over the years. You know Nick Joyce, he got
drafted to Adelaide Crows. He was a couple of years
older than me, and then sort of you know like
Luke Capitole Is, Daniel Hills, Shane Arvins. You know, had
plenty of plenty of good players we've been down and
had a crack down in town. So yeah, they're also
(02:53):
very helpful growing up in handing plenty of advice.
Speaker 3 (02:56):
Crystal Brook came forth last year. I guess you might
be expecting the boys to go a bit better.
Speaker 2 (03:02):
Yeah. I think it was a pretty even competition last year.
I think the top four were really really close. And yeah,
I don't know. Hopefully we can put him for a
good year this year. Yeah, obviously won't be easy. It's
going to be a very even competition. Again.
Speaker 3 (03:16):
The opposition might see, oh, geez, team's here, we better
tag him.
Speaker 2 (03:21):
Yeah, I don't know about that. We'll can end it,
my Brotherager, you can have a tag ik over.
Speaker 1 (03:26):
In the Riverland, the Murray Valley Footy League enjoyed a
special appearance from a Port Adelaide great last weekend. Tom
Jonas played two hundred and sixteen games for the Power,
including ninety four as captain, before hanging up the boots
in twenty twenty three. Our journal in the Riverland Locky
win All spoke to Jonas just before he ran out
onto the field in the one car strip.
Speaker 4 (03:46):
The lure of community country footy rings true for the
former Port Adelaide start, who recently played a game in
the Murray Valley Football Netball League for the Wonker Bulldogs.
The Bulldogs took on Ram and what was a big
day for the small farming community of Wonka, and we
were lucky enough to catch up with Tom just prior
(04:07):
to the game.
Speaker 5 (04:08):
Yeah, we're really fortunate that Cube Holding to have a
bit of a presence in the region, the supportive of
One Car. They got a relationship there, so it's sort
of their initiative and yeah, it's all about, like you said,
just a bit of a morale booth. I mean, had
a little bit of rain the last fortnight, but it's
been pretty lean for a fair while, so we can
(04:29):
get up there and they carry on a bit and
having a bit of fun with the locals, and yeah,
that's what it's all about. They're always incredibly welcoming and
there's nothing like a bit of country hospitality as well.
It was so nice to get back to the grassroots, Tim.
Speaker 4 (04:42):
I understand it's not your first time playing for the
Wonker Balldocks came up to One.
Speaker 5 (04:47):
Car last year and they rolled out the red carpet.
It was a ripping day and more just to come
up there and have a bit of fun and put
some smiles on faces hopefully, and yeah, get around the community.
Speaker 1 (05:02):
We also heard from the vice president for one FC,
Rodney Tonkin about what the exhibition match and Jonas's involvement
means to the community.
Speaker 6 (05:11):
Yeah, it does. It increase the crowd numbers by a
little bit. The pros are probably really like the actual
players themselves, you know, to have the chance to actually
play with XRFL player, you know, really uplifting and they
really get excited before the game coming leading up to it. Yeah,
and then on the day, you know, if you see
(05:31):
them really light up and take it on board and
the after game experience, you know, just when the guys
just having a chat after the game about how they
play it and you know and giving them some guidance.
Speaker 7 (05:41):
Yeah, that's awesome. I'm guessing the kids would have loved
it as well, seeing like an x power player like
Tommy Jonas run out.
Speaker 6 (05:48):
Yeah, yeh. Everyone really has a good day and it's
also good for spectators to see some high class football
win played.
Speaker 7 (05:55):
The qube logistics, Can you tell us a little bit
about that cube is.
Speaker 6 (05:59):
A come me that cut out the awe from the
middroom mine. So they jumped on board of this a
couple of years ago. And a black Ben Kennedy, he's
an ex AFL player as well. He's actually a lot
logistics manager and I got to know him through a
rental property and yeah, that's where it all basically started from.
Speaker 7 (06:17):
So and is that how Tommy Jonas he knows Tommy
Jonas and he gets him to come and play.
Speaker 6 (06:23):
Yeah, basically Tom went and worked for Cube for a
little a short bit of time. And yeah, and that's
when the first game started, with both Ben and Tom
playing for Wonka last year.
Speaker 7 (06:36):
And I'm guessing sort of in the future, you're sort
of hoping to keep this going.
Speaker 6 (06:40):
Yeah, it would really like to. Got a pretty good
relationship with Justin and Ben, which both worked for Cuban
And yeah, it's a great day. Everyone at WANKA really
loves Cube day and yeah, hopefully it continues on the future.
Speaker 1 (06:55):
Coming up after the break, we chat with a crows
great from the ninety and early two thousands, I.
Speaker 4 (07:03):
Hart Essie, I Hartesside.
Speaker 1 (07:08):
Welcome back, the boots are laced, the Banter's brewing, and
the weekend starts right now. Today we're talking grand returns
to grassroots footy by legends of the game. From dusty
country ovals to suburban clubhouses. Former AFL stars are breathing
new life into our local leagues. Some great examples include
Collingwood Star and Brownlow medalist Dane Swan running out with
(07:30):
south Wayala in twenty twenty two, and Adelaide Crow's Great
and Showdown medallist Graham Johncock, who's currently the president of
the Malley Park Footy Club. Over in Port Lincoln, crowds
are swelling, young players are learning from the best, and
communities are reaping the rewards. Tyson Edwards played over three
hundred and twenty games with the Crows, including in their
(07:50):
nineteen ninety seven and ninety eight premierships, before retiring in
twenty ten. He then tried his hand at coaching with
Port Adelaide between twenty twelve and twenty five, and this
year he's taken over as the head coach of Taylorm
Bend in the River Murray League. The Eagle was currently
sitting fifth on the ladder, compared to just a notch
above the Wooden Spoon last year, so already a bit
(08:11):
of a jump. Tysan's career has been labeled one of
the most consistent and durable in the history of the game.
I spoke to him about how much of that he's
been able to bring to taylorm since taking the.
Speaker 8 (08:22):
Reins early days at the Crows, I wasn't that consistent.
I was pretty inconsistent, sort of in an avid team
for the first two or three years. So that was
sort of a goal of mine to become more consistent,
become a regular member of the team. And then once
that took place, it was that member that performing, you know,
at a really consistent level for as long as I could.
And obviously I didn't have too many injuries that helped
(08:45):
me back and was able to obviously play with some
of them as well. So it's all the management side
of things, so obviously gives you a lot of experience
that you can help with no matter what level you're coaching,
will involved with it. It can help with that level.
And obviously my time at Ada was fantastic for the
coaching side of it, and you know, being at one
club for so long at the Crows, it was nice
(09:06):
to see a different environment, different coaching philosophies, so that
can certainly. Obviously in the country it's a lot less
I guess pressure and the demands aren't as high and
you know you're going got the guys a couple times
a week and you know, they're all playing for fun
rather than for money, so there's that side of it,
but you know, they still want to win, and there's
certain things where we can certainly sort of help them
(09:28):
get to where they want to get to, and we've
sort of started that already. There's been a bit more
consistent effort from our guys. We're trying to add to
the group as little bit as well, to make them
give us a bit more depth, which will help obviously
the results on the weekend. But it's a really good
young group necessarily integrating a few things as we go
once they get the hang of it each each one
that we're throwing at them. So it's been good so far.
Speaker 1 (09:45):
You're currently sitting fifth on the ladder with four wins.
That's compared to two wins last year for Tailor Ben,
so a bit of a jump already jump up the
ladder and a jump in wins. So obviously what you're
bringing is paying off for the boys.
Speaker 8 (09:58):
Yeah, it looks so far, so good. Yeah. Yeah, we've
lost a few of that sort of key taller targets
to one in the preseason haven't even played yet. He
may play a couple either one of our key forwards
that may play a couple of games towards the end
of the season. Obviously, we've lost their captain and ruckman
in the first game of the year for the whole
year he's had his knee, and a key back is
only played a couple of games as well. So it's
(10:21):
never perfect. But you know, if we had those guys,
things might have looked a little bit different as well.
But yeah, there's been some improvement. There's a bit more
structure to it. The players are sort of understanding their
roles and what helps us win, and also incorporating some
younger players into that as well, be as the fun
of bend. For whatever reason, they had some really good
juniors for a long time and it's about sort of
(10:43):
giving them opportunity, exposing them to the higher levels and
obviously when he just started. But it's been a promleting
start and hopefully hopefully there's a few more wins for
us yet before the end of the season.
Speaker 1 (10:52):
Yeah, what about a shift in morale? Has there been
much of that? We're talking to a few people around
the place. Spoke to Tom Jonas as well. He just
played a game in Wonka up in the Riverland it
does boost morale for players and supporters. I would imagine
having someone of your sort of standing out there on
the field.
Speaker 8 (11:12):
Yeah, I think I think that helps a little bit
for sure, having some sort of profile, and I think
you know, with that, you get sort of whether you
deserve it or or you get sort of the respect
straight up, and then you need to sort of prove
that you know, what you're trying to do is working.
And I think a big philosophy of my coaching is
sort of building relationships with the players and actually getting
known them a little bit, having a bit of fun
(11:33):
as well. And you know, obviously winning is the best
form to keep the morale up. And the big part
of that is trying to keep the young players there
for a little bit longer, and trying to get the
supporters and people have been there a long time, trying
to get them encouraged and excited to come along and
watch us play. It's hopefully a better brand of footy,
And you know, that's the feedback we've been getting at
the moment that you can see the guys have had.
(11:55):
You know, there's more structure there, They're more they know
what they're they're doing, and I think a few more
results is obviously helping that as well, so having a
few wins and had a good win win on the weekend,
and as I said earlier, hopefully a few more to come.
Speaker 1 (12:08):
You mentioned that, you know, getting people that have been
coming out for years coming out more regularly perhaps, or
what have you? Have you noticed more community interest or
involvement since your appointment.
Speaker 8 (12:18):
From my perspective, we've sort of you know, I guess
the thing you look at is people that are there
after the game and come back to the rooms, you know,
for the presentations and those sorts of things, and we've
had really good numbers in there, so you know, from
my point of view, that's positive. We value the past.
We had a pass player a day early in the
year which which we had good representation from had all
(12:40):
those guys that wanted to come in the rooms, you know,
for the pre match and after the game, and I'm
there for the presentations afterwards, and that's super important to
keep all those engaged because they stay at the club. Really,
you know, they have been part of history and we
want them as much as we can. And I know
the players enjoy seeing them there and seeing more people
(13:00):
not all.
Speaker 1 (13:00):
About the past players as well, though, it's very much
about the future for you and you're nurturing that young talent.
So what's the what's the goal with your players, Got
anyone that's planning on moving up to you know, become
the next Tyson Edwards.
Speaker 8 (13:15):
I'm sure a lot of these kids have got those
goals and dreams, and there's there's certainly a good crop
of young kids coming through. You know, it's not easy,
you know, it is a it's a hard journey. It's
there's plenty of young kids across the country now that
you see a future in you AFL footy, and it's
fantastic to be involved if you can so. But yeah,
(13:35):
we're trying to, I guess, manage them as best as possible.
Most of the young, the real talented ones are in
the West Delay program already and we see them, you know,
every so often, and as much as we can, we'll
have them. But obviously it's most important for me, I think,
is pushing kids up to always higher level. And I
think with our group that like our Aiden's group, are
(13:58):
really strong and most weeks win by win by a lot,
which is which is great, but you know, you want
them to be challenged as well, and that's that's sort
of the aim as far as pushing them up and
exposing them to higher levels. So definitely, can you keep
coming through and you want to see them keep coming
through for sure.
Speaker 1 (14:13):
That's it for this week. Don't forget You can hear
iHeart Essay in the iHeart app or wherever you get
your podcasts. I'm Jackie Limb. Join us again next week
for more of the stories you want to hear. I
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