Sturt coach Martin Mattner says it will be business as usual as AFL clubs come knocking
AFL coach-in-waiting Martin Mattner says he expects to ramp up serious discussions with several AFL clubs during Sturt’s finals campaign but vowed he won't be distracted from trying to lead the Double Blues to a third consecutive premiership.
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AFL coach-in-waiting Martin Mattner says he expects to ramp up serious discussions with several AFL clubs during Sturt’s finals campaign but vowed he won't be distracted from trying to lead the Double Blues to a third consecutive premiership.
Mattner is on the assistant coaching radar of both SA AFL clubs, Port Adelaide and Adelaide, and also has drawn interest from interstate suitors.
The former Crow and Swan, who won a flag with Sydney in 2012, says Sturt is aware that he is ready to return to the AFL after last being a development coach with the Swans in 2015.
“Sturt has been really good,’’ said Mattner, whose coaching resume is outstanding after leading the Double Blues to flags in his first two years in charge and having them in strong contention again this year.
“I’ve been really open and honest with them and they’ve been open and honest with me and as long as we keep that dialogue going I think everything will be fine.
“Now that they (the Power and Crows) have finished I guess they will start moving into overdrive with all their decisions about next year and players and coaches and stuff like that.
“I am sort of dictated to by their decisions. I can't control that, so I will just keep doing my stuff at Sturt and hopefully something will happen.
“If it happens, it happens, but if it doesn't I am really happy and loving it at Sturt because we’ve got a great bunch of blokes and the club is in a really good spot on and off the field.’’
Mattner told The Advertiser after the Double Blues ended their minor round campaign in third spot after a last-kick, five-point loss to Glenelg at the Bay on Sunday, that he is weighing up his options and is happy to move interstate to pursue his coaching career.
“I’ve been at Sturt for three years and I’ve learnt a lot, it’s been a really good experience,’’ he said.
“I’m just weighing up all the available options and seeing what’s best for me and the family (wife Chelsea and two young boys Oscar and Jimmy).
“We lived in Sydney for eight years so we are open to moving again, so now it's just about waiting to see what’s out there.
“Now that some clubs have finished their seasons I’m sure there will be a bit more movement from them.’’
Mattner, who started his league football career at Sturt and played 98 games for Adelaide from 2002-07 and 124 with Sydney from 2008-13, passed up a job as a development coach at Port last year.
He coached the SA State team against WA this season and appears destined to coach an AFL club in his own right once he adds to his coaching portfolio.
The Power has three assistant coaching vacancies, with senior assistant Matthew Nicks moving to Greater Western Sydney, Brendon Lade joining St Kilda and development coach Aaron Greaves returning to Victoria.
Port is in the hunt for its 2004 premiership midfielder Jarrad Schofield, who has coached WAFL club Subiaco to four consecutive grand finals, winning two, and to this year becoming the first WAFL side since East Fremantle in 1946 to go through a home-and-away season undefeated.
The Crows have so far parted way with one assistant, development and SANFL coach Ryan O’’Keefe.
andrew.capel@news.com.au