Anthony Koutoufides, Sav Rocca coaching Ivanhoe under 16s

What’s better than having a former AFL legend coach your junior footy team? Having two. Just ask Ivanhoe’s under 16s players.

Glen Iris under 16s coach Luke Darcy opposite Ivanhoe’s Anthony Koutoufides and Sav Rocca. Picture: Supplied

Carlton champion Anthony Koutoufides has turned his hand to footy coaching.

Koutoufides is coaching the Ivanhoe Junior football club Under 14s with former Collingwood superboot Sav Rocca as his assistant coach.

And recently, when Ivanhoe Juniors took on Glen Iris his opposition coach was former Bulldogs’ star Luke Darcy.

Koutoufides has a personal link to the team — his son Lucas is among the young players.

“Two years ago I became the runner of the team,” Koutoufides said.

Koutoufides in action for the Blues in 2005.

Rocca pulls down a hanger at the MCG in the ‘90s.

“I was busy, but I felt I had to give back a bit too. I felt like I had all this knowledge of footy, but was not utilising it enough and so I thought it would be good if I could coach the kids. I have done little snippets of coaching before, but I thought it would be nice to get out there and coach the kids.

“I coached them last year and we won the division two grand final by only one point, we were very lucky.”

Koutoufides said he loved the role.

“It is such a joy,” he said.

“To help the kids improve and to help those who have a dream to play AFL, it is very satisfying.

“I said last year when we won the grand final, no matter what level you never forget winning a premiership, even as young kids, it is etched into your memory forever.”