I was thinking about our development coaches this week.
I was thinking back to Brendan McCartney at Geelong. Most of the Geelong Premiership team from 2007-2011 credit McCartney for pushing them when they were young players.
For us we seem to employ ex-AFL footballers, who specialise in technical skills, and it seems to be more about their pathway into coaching.
McCartney was a high school teacher. He challenged the player’s attitude, character and energy. This is exactly what young players need.
Does showing a young player how to position themselves in a 1-1 contest really make a difference, compared to constantly challenging their attitude and work dedication?