Triple Brisbane premiership player Clark Keating enjoying new coaching role with Lions’ AFLW team

Ruckman Clark Keating won three premierships as a player with Brisbane and now he’s giving back to the club by taking on a full-time coaching role with the Lions’ AFLW side — and he’s loving every minute of it.

AFLW Lions Jesse Wardlaw and Jessy Keeffe have been learning ruck techniques from triple premiership player Clark Keating.

Old familiar feelings are flooding back for Clark Keating.

The buzz of game day, the shared sense of purpose, and even the satisfying post-training fatigue.

What started as a one night a week mentoring role to the young Lions AFLW rucks throughout the pre-season has morphed into a full-time position with the coaching and selection panel.

DOUBLE HEADER: LIONS PLAN FOR WOMEN TO SHARE GABBA STAGE

GUN MID: IN-FORM ANDERSON SETS EYES ON CATS

IN FORM: WUETSCHNER WANTS TO LEAD LIONS TO FINALS

On Saturday the triple premiership Lion will sit alongside coach Craig Starcevich at Burpengary as they plot to defeat Geelong and secure a top-two position in conference B.

Keating worked as a part-time ruck coach for Leigh Matthews in 2009 but this is the first time he has been so involved in all aspects of coaching.

He loved the training over summer and was surprised at the physicality of the young girls and their competitiveness in match-style drills.

Jesse Wardlaw battles in the ruck against former Lion Clark Keating.

“I’ve had to tell them to ease back a bit, they are like a bull at a gate,’’ he said.

“But they are really keen to learn, their attention to detail is very good and they ask a lot of questions, which shows they listen.’’

Keating was asked by his old mate Starcevich to spend some time over summer with the club’s rucks, in particular Jessy Keeffe, Jesse Wardlaw and Lauren Bella.

BIG WIN: LIONS GET REVENGE ON DOGS IN GRAND FINAL REMATCH

As the season approached Starcevich asked if he’d like to also be involved on game day, and then when senior assistant David Lake stood down on the eve of the Grand Final rematch with the Western Bulldogs because he had thrown his hat into the ring to be the Suns’ inaugural AFLW coach, Keating was thrust into the box as the new midfield coach.

He loved every minute of it.

“I got the goosebumps as the game drew closer and then there was the excitement when I was addressing the girls before the game and during the breaks,’’ he said.

Keating is a triple premiership player with Brisbane. Picture: David Kapernick

“I was pumped for them after the game when they won, I felt like I had contributed and that’s a feeling I haven’t had since I was playing.’’

The man labelled Mr September for his excellent Grand Final performances in Brisbane’s three-peat between 2001-03 said he had dual motivations for finding his way back to the Gabba in an official capacity after a 10-year absence.

“It was a decision that I could give back to the club and really help the women’s side but also knowing that my three girls might want to play,’’ he said.

“They came along after I retired, so this is the first time they’ve seen me back in the sport and they love being around it and going to games.

“They like me wearing the Lions’ gear, they are really enjoying the women’s football and the fact I have a role is really exciting for them.’’