Michael Godden takes on Crows job to test his coaching at the highest level, while Paul Stewart retires
MICHAEL Godden’s season with Woodville-West Torrens ended on a sour note thanks to the SANFL 19th man fiasco, but he is now looking forward to make his mark at the AFL level as another Eagle announces his retirement.
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- System has failed us: Godden
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WHETHER Woodville-West Torrens’ controversial exit from the premiership race influenced Michael Godden to accept the Adelaide midfield coaching job is a question he cannot answer.
He admits the 19-man drama from the preliminary final when eventual premier North Adelaide beat the Eagles by five points certainly left a sour taste in his mouth.
But no matter how the Eagles finished the season, a huge motivation for Godden to quit as coach after nine years to join the Crows was the chance to test his coaching at a higher level.
“No one has offered me a job like this before, so I cannot answer that,” Godden said.
“It is a great opportunity to work in an environment like the Crows, it is such a professional environment. I’m leaving a job I love and players I love, but the opportunity to work with a highly motivated group is exciting.
“A lot of time as an SANFL coach is on your own for the majority of your day. To be able to work in a team will be different, but I’m looking forward to that.”
Godden’s move comes as the Eagles on Thursday also announced 2006 premiership player Paul Stewart’s retirement.
The Crows moved quickly to secure Godden after the Eagles dropped out of the race for the premiership, pouncing with an offer after the preliminary final.
Godden told the Eagles of his decision on Wednesday, and while chief executive Luke Powell said the club was disappointed to be losing the coach who had taken it to the finals every year he was at the helm as well as the 2011 flag, he acknowledged it was a fantastic opportunity he deserved.
While proud of his time at Woodville Oval, Godden said he was disappointed he was not able to deliver the Eagles another premiership.
“I’m proud and privileged to have won one premiership, many people haven’t,” he said. “To have had a couple in those years with the chances we had would have topped it off.
“I loved my time doing reserves, then the opportunity to do league. I want to go to the highest level I can.
“I’ve been immersed in the Eagles this year and not connected with what has happened at the Crows. It is a fresh beginning and I’m walking into a footy club full of motivated players and coaches and amazing talent.”
Godden’s announcement follows the appointment of Marty Mattner to their coaching panel. Both are from the South Australian Mallee and had playing stints at the Crows.
“I was drafted in 1992 at No. 116, I don’t think that number exists anymore,” Godden said laughing.
“I will always be proud to be drafted, but I don’t profess to having an AFL career in any way.”
Eagles chief executive Luke Powell also on Thursday thanked Paul Stewart for his outstanding service to the club after 106 SANFL games, including the club’s 2006 premiership in just his second league match, and 101 AFL games for Port Adelaide.
“Since coming back from the AFL system to his beloved Eagles Paul has been exceptional for the club both on and off the field,” Powell said.
“Paul has shown exceptional leadership within the playing group and his performances have been full of class and his character off field has set a great example to the playing group.”
Stewart was drafted to Port Adelaide with the 23rd pick in the 2006 AFL draft where he spent 10 seasons playing 101 games before returning to Woodville for the past two seasons.