Torquay coach Dom Gleeson is excited at the prospect of coaching from the boundary line in 2023

He did not get the fairy tale ending to his playing days, but Torquay coach Dom Gleeson is already preparing himself for the transition to working from the bench.

Torquay coach Dom Gleeson at three quarter time. BFL: Barwon Heads v Torquay. Picture: Alan Barber

TORQUAY coach Dom Gleeson says he is excited to develop his role from the sidelines in 2023.

The former VFL star and long-time Torquay coach announced at the end of the 2022 season that he would step away from a playing role and focus on the development of the squad’s younger players.

Gleeson said it was not a hard decision to make.

“I’ve never been one to succumb to my birthday, but that certainly is slowing me down,” he said.

“At times last year I was running around with guys that I could be a father to, which wasn’t embarrassing but I just thought it was time to hang them up.

“Missing two years with Covid, I thought we’d go really close to success and we just missed out unfortunately, there are not many fairy tales in footy, but the beauty of it is I get to stay involved as a coach.

Torquay made the grand final in 2022 but suffered a 55-point loss to Barwon Heads, but despite the loss the Tigers are set to focus on retention over recruitment ahead of next season. Picture: Alan Barber

“I feel I’ve still got a lot to offer as a coach, and not worrying about getting myself up for training and game days but instead focusing on developing our kids and focusing on the tactical side of things a bit more.”

Torquay made the grand final in 2022 but suffered a 55-point loss to Barwon Heads, but despite the loss the Tigers are set to focus on retention over recruitment ahead of next season.

Gleeson said he wanted to focus on tweaking the style of football Torquay would play next year, and take steps in his progression as a coach.

“I see it as another pathway for me, I’ve always been playing so I feel like it’s another string to my bow that I can develop and put more time into the playing group and have more of a one-on-one impact with each of the players,” he said.

“Not playing is going to be a challenge for me because it’s all I’ve ever known, as it is for all retirees, I bet there are players that have been retired for many years and still think they could play or want to play still, but the time is right for me.

Gleeson said he wanted to focus on tweaking the style of football Torquay would play next year, and take steps in his progression as a coach. Picture: Alan Barber

“I’m keen to see that development side of things and come at it all from a different perspective than I have for the last seven or eight years.

“We always try to be as fluid as we can and go off trends, we see a lot of different things at GFL level, at AFL level, and we try to mirror things that work and fit our players too.

“We try to implement some strategies that you learn along the journey, I encourage the guys to reach out to mentors or guys at other clubs and learn as much as possible on other improvements or things we can add to our program.”

Originally published as Torquay coach Dom Gleeson is excited at the prospect of coaching from the boundary line in 2023