Ex-Richmond, North Adelaide midfielder Matt McDonough set to co-coach Lockleys in 2021
He’s played under Damien Hardwick’s reign at Richmond and SANFL premiership mentor Josh Carr. Now this footballer is destined for his own coaching career.
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Former Richmond and North Adelaide midfielder Matt McDonough says playing under top level footy mentors will help him as he embarks on his own coaching career.
McDonough will be a player/co-coach at Adelaide Footy League club Lockleys in 2021.
The 26-year-old played 10 AFL games for the Tigers in three seasons, before lining up with the Roosters (2016-2018) and then Keith in the Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara Football League.
He moved to the Demons this season and, with co-coach Tom Clark, will take over the reins from Stephen Zweck, who led the Demons to the fifth tier flag this season.
McDonough said he hoped to be a mentor “with a specific game plan” but would also allow players’ natural flares to shine through.
“I’m lucky I’ve been exposed to some high-level coaches,” McDonough said.
“Three of them that I’ve had have coached AFL premierships.
“While you’re in the AFL and SANFL system, there’s a lot of classroom chat and a lot of time to learn things – five days a week in the AFL.
“Hopefully something I can bring to Lockleys is what the higher levels do (and) simplify it slightly.
“The best coach I had was in Melbourne, (Richmond) VFL coach Tim Clarke … the way he approached the games, his positive attitude and how he showed he cared, that got the best out of me.
“I want to get to know the players so they want to play for me and respect me and want to get the best out of themselves as well.”
McDonough said coaching had always been a career path he wanted to take and this was the perfect opportunity to kick it off.
“I’ve always said since leaving the SANFL that one day I want to be a coach,” he said.
“It’s a dream of mine to coach so to be able to coach and play at the same time is a real positive for me too.
“Once I finish playing footy I still want to stay involved so if I can get the opportunity to coach … and experience it before I retire completely.
“I’m not sure where that looks in five-10 years, whether that be still locally, in the country, or if something popped up in the SANFL or somewhere else in Australia, I’m not sure.
“But it’s more about keeping opportunities open for when I finish playing footy.”
McDonough, who featured in the Demons’ one-point grand final victory over Kenilworth this season, said ex-coach Zweck had put good systems in place to help the club continue to be successful.
“The previous coach has done an exceptional job building them up to what they are, so I’m hoping to build on that,” McDonough said.
“But with the list he’s produced and that we’ve got at the moment, there’s no reason why we can’t repeat what we’ve done (this year).”
