EVERYONE has an opinion on how junior football development can improve.

However, not everyone has the resume of ex-Swan Ryan O'Keefe, a dual premiership player, Norm Smith medallist, club best and fairest and All Australian. 

Ryan O'Keefe addresses his Western Jets players during a game. Picture: AFL Photos

O'Keefe has dedicated his life to coaching since retiring from the AFL at the end of 2014, firstly at Adelaide – where he coached the Crows' SANFL team – and now at NAB League club Western Jets. 

He joins this week's episode of Trends to discuss his transition from playing to the coaches' box, how he finds dealing with parents, and his vision for a football hub in the western suburbs of Melbourne.

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O'Keefe also has strong views on how the NAB League can attract higher-calibre coaches and what that would mean for prospective AFL talent. 

Trends is a podcast for the hardcore and average football fan who wants to learn more about what they're watching each weekend, plus what's going on behind the scenes.

Episode guide

1:42 – A dual NAB League and school coaching role

4:14 – "The football side is the easy part" as a coach

5:18 – Vision for a new footy hub in the western suburbs

7:14 – How recruiters' input can negatively impact players

10:12 – Helping future draftees understand the path

11:06 – The case for raising the draft age a year or two

14:33 – More money is required to attract good junior coaches

17:39 – Why more anti-density rules wouldn't work in the AFL

20:09 – Differences between coaching in and out of the AFL

22:37 – Expectations on an AFL assistant or development coach

25:06 – New skillset could lead to a different football job

27:00 – Sydney's success owed to much more than talent

29:13 – Western Jets' top AFL prospects for this year's draft

31:49 – Advice for prospective AFL draftees: "It's a journey"