Mark Corrigan is unique placed to take over as Essendon VFL coach
An experienced development coach and VFL premiership winner, Mark Corrigan believes he can create a strong bond between the Bombers AFL-listed and VFL-listed players in 2020.
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While it is his first senior coaching job, new Essendon coach Mark Corrigan is uniquely placed to lead a VFL team.
An experienced development coach and qualified teacher, Corrigan has spent the last five years helping develop the Bombers’ AFL list.
A VFL premiership winner at Geelong and Cats’ best-and-fairest winner in 2013, Corrigan also has the experience to relate to his non-AFL players.
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“There’s a very different dynamic, depending on the players and what they want out of their football,” he said.
“It’s a challenge for any coach but it’s also an exciting opportunity, everyone’s there to play their best footy.
“Having been there myself, as an older VFL player, I’ve got a good grasp of how to create an environment where those (VFL-listed) guys feel invested in while also providing growth and development for our AFL-listed players.”
Corrigan takes the reins from Dan Jordan, who has been promoted to forwards coach under John Worsfold for 2020.
After standing in for three games in 2015, the first-time coach was thrilled to get an opportunity he didn’t necessarily see coming.
“My pathway since has been more focused on development but the opportunity presented last week and I’m really excited,” he said.
“I had a taste of it in 2015, I chopped out Hayden Skipworth and my brother, Paul, I got three games then and loved it.”
Essendon has reached the VFL finals for the past five seasons, reaching a preliminary final after finishing fourth this year.
However, the Bombers’ list has undergone a cleanout over the off-season, seeing several experienced players depart.
Corrigan said creating an environment where the VFL squad could play its best football was the priority.
“We’ve lost a lot of experience from our AFL list – David Myers, Ben McNeice, Matty Dea, Michael Hartley, Mark Baguley – and then Heath Hocking retiring from the VFL,” he said.
“We’ll be looking to replace those guys but some of them were irreplaceable.
“I’m certainly one for looking after the process rather than the outcome, so we’re not going to prioritise the win-loss ledger, hopefully that will take care of itself.”
For all the latest news from the VFL and other suburban competitions over the off-season, log on to localfooty.com.au