Local footy stalwart Gary Cutler brings up 600 games as coach

Local footy wouldn’t survive without blokes like Gary Cutler taking on difficult jobs. He reflects on the good times, bad times and mates made in 600 games in charge.

Gary Cutler reaches game 600 as coach.

Gary Cutler is the type of bloke local footy can’t survive without.

If there’s a difficult or unglamorous job to be done that some coaches wouldn’t touch, he puts his hand up.

On Saturday, his life-long commitment to the game reaches a special milestone, 600 games coached.

He reckons with about 400 senior games also under his belt since debuting as a 16-year-old, he’d be close to 1000 all told.

“I’m pretty proud, it means you’ve stuck around for long enough,” Cutler said.

Gary Cutler during his time at Lalor. Picture: Andy Brownbill

“I’m still learning every week, I tell people I know what I’m talking about.

“It’s been good, I’ve enjoyed 99 per cent of it.”

It all began in 1992 when he was appointed player-coach at now defunct club Thornbury.

Cutler has served as senior coach of Coburg Districts, Yea, Heidelberg West, Lalor and Watsonia.

He’s led the reserves at North Brunswick, Coburg Districts, Northcote Park, North Heidelberg, Kilmore and Watsonia.

As if that’s not enough, he’s added senior coach at Northern Socials Cricket Club for the coming summer.

There’s been two premierships, 2003 at North Brunswick and 2014 with North Heidelberg.

It’s the tough jobs that have been just as rewarding.

“They’re pretty hard to come by, premierships, as people can see,” he said.

“I’ve coached at a lot of clubs where I’ve taken a role where the club needs to rebuild.

“Heidelberg West was one, Lalor was another and Yea hadn’t won a game in four or five years.

Gary Cutler during his time at Heidelberg West. Picture: Stuart Milligan

“I’ve taken on some jobs that weren’t necessarily great jobs for win-loss ratio but I think I learnt more about myself than going to a club that wins every game.

“That’s put me in good stead for years like this year, it’s been a tough year.”

Cutler is currently in his second year as reserve grade coach at Watsonia.

He helped the Saints survive relegation and stay in NFNL Division 2 last season when he took over as interim coach for the final two games of the season, stepping in for old friend George Lattouf.

“I was pretty proud of that, keeping the club up,” he said.

“And hopefully Mac (Anthony McGregor) can get us over the line this year.”

Flags are what you play for but that’s not been the enduring impact of his time in footy.

In more than 30 years of coaching Cutler has had some incredible talents in his huddle.

Some have even become family.

“My five best mates are from football,” he said.

“That’s the greatest thing more than anything else.

“I’ve got to coach my son the last two years as well, which is a bit of a buzz.

“Just the friendships, we’ve had great weekends away and over a 30-year period, they’re still my closest mates now.

“Footy clubs are full of great people, no matter where you are.”

Asked to name some of the best talents he’s seen.

“I coached Leigh Irons when he was 17 and won his first best-and-fairest at Coburg Districts,” he said.

“Sammy Rexhepi and Paz Saccuzzo, there’s been some really good players, too many to mention over 30 years.

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“I’ve had a few boys follow me around, big Luke (Anderson) who’s helping me (at Watsonia) has played at five or six clubs and my captain at Thornbury.”

Watsonia faces Panton Hill at Binnak Park on Saturday, the reserves looking to salute Cutler with a second win of the season.

The senior team’s survival goes on the line with a win desperately needed if it is to avoid relegation again.

A host of former players are set to turn out and support Cutler, and the Saints, in a mark of the man’s legacy within in the community.