New coach Garry Hocking will keep Panthers in flag hunt, says predecessor Bradley Gotch

FORMER South Adelaide coach Bradley Gotch has vehemently backed his replacement Garry Hocking to maintain the club’s status as a serious premiership contender.

Good relationship ... former South Adelaide coach Brad Gotch with the man who would eventually be his successor at Noarlunga, then Port Adelaide SANFL coach Garry Hocking in 2014. Picture: Matt Turner

FORMER South Adelaide coach Bradley Gotch has vehemently backed his replacement Garry Hocking to maintain the club’s status as a serious premiership contender.

Gotch has built a strong association with the former Geelong champion since they worked as assistant coaches at Port Adelaide and he is adamant the Panthers have made the right call in appointing Hocking.

“I’m completely confident in Garry, that is not an issue,” Gotch said. “He will up the ante from when I was there and he will be able to add technical and AFL-type work.

“I’m already hearing good feedback and he has been there only a week or so.”

The Panthers appointed Hocking as coach for the next two years after Gotch ended his three-year tenure to return to Melbourne to be close to family, as well as take on a development role with Collingwood.

Gotch first crossed paths with Hocking when they were coaching in Melbourne. But they established a solid relationship at the Power when Gotch was in charge of the defence and Hocking worked with the forwards.

Gotch was impressed by Hocking’s knowledge and he admits his respect for the four-time All Australian grew after the Geelong legend was named caretaker coach for the final four AFL games of the 2012 season, following the sacking of Matthew Primus.

“I remember thinking he was really good, knew his stuff,” Gotch said. “Maybe he had a few rough edges he could iron out.

“He was good tactically and technically as well as development wise. I learnt a lot from just talking to him, chewing the fat.

“He was outstanding for those four games when he took over and it was a joy to be part of after a stressful year. I was surprised he did not have a senior AFL job — he was calm, composed and read the game well.”

Gotch said it was sensational to be back with his family, while he thanked the Panthers for enabling him to get back into the AFL system.