It is quite bizarre watching a team you have coached the previous season in the early part of the following year. All the strange emotions that existed in early 1996 after finishing at Collingwood at the end of 1995 have suddenly re-emerged.
The involvement goes from total to nil in a matter of days. From being the centre of your existence you very quickly become just another external observer.
It is a bit like someone borrowing your house, embarking on a big renovation, and even adopting your kids.
Once the new coach is appointed the role that dominates your thoughts, and in fact your whole persona, ceases to exist.
It is amazing how history repeats itself.
At Collingwood I was fortunate to have Tony Shaw as a great player leader. Without him the 1990 premiership would likely not have eventuated.
After that year’s second semi-final when we qualified for the grand final, I will always remember Shaw’s resolve.
With his sock red from a badly bleeding blister he got up in front of his team, looked them in the eye, and stated emphatically that he had played in two losing grand finals and he was not going to play in a third!
The determination in his voice set the tone for the premiership that followed a fortnight later.
It was no coincidence that Shawy won the Norm Smith medal.
In my latter years at the Magpies it was always apparent that he would be the next coach.
It was the same with Michael Voss. He too was a magnificent playing leader and providing he was available it was obvious that he would be my coaching successor.
When it looked likely that Vossy might take on the Gold Coast coaching job steps were taken to make sure that he knew of the club’s succession plans.
When 2008 finished and I decided that the time was right for the club to go forward under a new coach, Michael’s appointment was a fait accompli.
The ground work had already been done.
Coaching success is always difficult to predict with any certainty. What I would say is that no matter what Vossy gives the Lions during his coaching tenure, it will not exceed his massive contribution as a player.
I spent an uncomfortable night as a passive observer at the Lions round one game against the Eagles. This week I will be part of the Seven commentary team with the task of being as unbiased and even-handed as possible.
There will be one significant difference this Friday, I will be able to eat something on the afternoon of the game.
Game day nerves and a churning stomach prevented any possibility of eating anything after lunch during my coaching years.
Not much puts me off my food but while my coaching box colleagues had to put up with my dry retching at times they were at least spared the next step.
The rare Friday night game is a big deal for the Lions, when it is against Collingwood, the club’s marketing team does cart wheels and hand stands most of the week.
A big crowd and a big pay day are assured.
On the field the Brisbane Lions players seemed to relish these big Collingwood games and have a great record against the Magpies.
Both teams have shown good early season form but the Lions are fielding a very competitive team and against an under-manned opposition and at home, I think they will win.
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
