Goodwood Saints coach Trent Mills reflects on six flags in a decade

TRENT Mills rarely reflects on his coaching record at Goodwood Saints – six premierships plus four preliminary final finishes in a decade. He is simply enjoying the ride.

TRENT Mills says he rarely reflects on his coaching record at Goodwood Saints – six premierships plus four preliminary final finishes in a decade.

He is simply enjoying the ride.

“When you’re in the day to day hustle and bustle of doing it every week you don’t sit back and look back,” Mills says.

“It’s only really this time of the year that you get a chance. All of them (flags) that I’ve been involved in are all special for different reasons.”

Goodwood had only one top-flight premiership when Mills joined the club in 2005, initially as a playing assistant, after 211 games at South Adelaide.

Trevor Hill led the Saints to a flag that season but then left to coach Norwood and Mills was promoted.

Under Mills, Goodwood has not finished lower than third – a run that includes flags from 2006-09 and the past two premierships.

In between the Saints lost four consecutive preliminary finals.

“For a small club in Millswood that doesn’t really have any huge funding opportunities other than the sponsors we have, it’s a phenomenal effort for the club to be at the top of division one for the length of time they have.

“We’re very lucky we have a lot of people that help in varying roles and that certainly helps to be able to have that sustained success.

“In addition to that, it’s about making sure we have players coming to the club for the right reasons.

“They’re not there for the financial reward – they’re there for success on field and to enjoy that with their mates.”

Mills plans to remain at the Saints once his coaching tenure ends.

“My boys play junior footy so even if I’m not the senior coach I’ll certainly be involved for some time.”