Suns AFLW coach David Lake details why he headhunted each of his Gold Coast assistants

Gold Coast Suns head AFLW coach David Lake has detailed the reasons behind the club’s decision to headhunt each of his assistants for the 2020 season.

GOLD Coast Suns head AFLW coach David Lake has detailed the reasons behind the club’s decision to headhunt each of his assistants for the 2020 season.

ANDREW SWALLOW:

“He works in the men’s program and works around stoppages and tackling. He is working with the first-year players and connects the two programs. Andrew understands what is going on and I’d say he is my technician, the one who pulls together everything and helps me execute the program. He will be our midfield coach.

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If a bloke can play as many games (224) as he has and been in the system as long and played in the midfield then he is more than equipped to do the job. That is a critical area of women’s footy, winning the footy in tight. When I got to know him it was about his manner and how he delivers his message, you can hear his information.

Gold Coast Suns AFLW coach Andrew Swallow and Bruce Coulson (founder of Kool Kids Early Education Centres). Picture: Supplied.

That is an area of strength for him. It’s not just all information but it’s easy to hear in layman’s terms. He understands the different learning styles of different people.”

DARRYL WHITE:

“Another one who had a great AFL career. We have quite a strong indigenous component of our side, there are half-a-dozen girls on the list. That really helps in that regard and there is a real natural connect with him. He teaches a lot, he has good stories and his manner, the girls love to listen and every time they come out of one of our meetings and go to his they want to go back to his and play for him.

Gold Coast Suns AFLW coach Darryl White. Picture: Supplied.

He has eight kids of his own and they play elite sport so he has a clear understanding of what is required from the athlete because he has done it himself and can educated his young kids. He will take our defence and rucks. He played his whole AFL career as an undersized ruckman and undersized tall. He played specific roles and learnt how to play that little bit short off the front shoulder. That is the player type we have recruited. It suits the coaching type we have brought in. That is exciting for the girls playing in those roles.”

JOHN TAYLOR:

Johnny has been around Queensland footy for a long time. He played at Windsor-Zillmere back in the day and played a lot of state footy. He had a few knee reconstructions then found himself coaching and in the boys player pathway at state level and then in the girls programs. He has been working in the (Brisbane) Lions academy and coaching some of the under-17 girls who make up the state side.

Gold Coast Suns AFLW coach John Taylor. Picture: Supplied.

He is quite experienced in that area already. He has great footy information. His focus points are the one percenters. He has a likeable nature and the girls tend to gravitate towards him when they want to go for a kick and learn little specifics of the game. He is a father figure to the players and they get a real comfort from him. He has become a bit of a confidant with the girls. He will drive for an hour to go and have a kick with them. As soon as I got the job you jump on to the phone of people you trust and he was one of them.

MATT BEDFORD:

(Suns football manager) Fiona McLarty spoke to me about Matt and felt he would be a good fit to our team. I had never met him and then Leah Kaslar, who was still at the Lions, recommended I ring Matt and that I’d really like him as a person and his values.

Gold Coast Suns AFLW assistant coach Matt Bedford. Picture: Supplied.

She ended up on our team and he ended up on our coaching staff. Originally when we grabbed Matt it was more of a development decision but what we worked out really quickly is that he learns really quickly and he has moved very fast. He has also taken on the running so we know the messaging that is getting out to the girls is spot on. He has a really good understanding of the local content and is a teacher. We have ended up with four really top shelf people who are great communicators and who bring different things.”