Northern Knights coach Leigh Clarke looking forward to new challenge
After four successful years as Oakleigh Chargers coach, Leigh Clarke will take the reins at the Northern Knights and is excited by the challenge and potential of his new role.
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After four success-filled years coaching Oakleigh Chargers, Leigh Clarke is hoping that continues at the Northern Knights.
The Chargers were one of the NAB League’s most successful clubs on and off the ground under Clarke, reaching the grand final in 2018 and winning the premiership in 2019.
An incredible 11 Oakleigh players were drafted in 2018 and another six in 2019, including top two picks Matt Rowell and Noah Anderson.
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Clarke said success was measured very differently in the talent pathway system.
“I expect really high standards of myself and encourage it in those around me,” he said.
“I look forward to making success a habit and how we define success is probably unique to what people read in the paper.
“(The NAB League) has never been about (win-loss).
“We were talented and lucky enough to win a premiership last year but, I can say hand on my heart, if I could swap that for one more kid getting drafted there’d be no discussion required.”
Clarke replaces Justin Wenke as boys coach, who will coach Southern league club Murrumbeena in 2021.
He’ll also take the reins of the girls program that won the premiership in 2019 and produced back-to-back No.1 draft picks under Marcus Abney-Hastings.
After 10 years at the Chargers, he was looking forward to a fresh start.
“It’s always been a part of my long-term plan to move to another program and experience it, the virus probably accelerated that a year or so ahead,” he said.
“We’ve got an awesome appointment in Nat Grindal as talent lead, she comes with significant passion and a strong personality.
“I also have a lot of respect for those that have come before in Rhy Gieschen, Justin and Marcus.
“I’ve got a good friend Mick Stinear, who coaches Melbourne in the AFLW, and I saw how quickly he fell in love with it and the passion he’s got for the women’s game.
“It’s the same game but the characters a very different, it’s a breath of fresh air working with the girls, because they’re a bit different to the boys – they’ll ask more questions and say more thank yous.”
With the 2020 season cancelled, the NAB League has undergone a significant restructure.
The head coaching role is now full-time across the league and, along with a single talent manager, has control of both the boys and girls programs.
The age limit has also been increased to under-19s for 2021 and beyond.
“Once the dust settles, the families and players associated should be grateful for the significant re-investment and further investment that the AFL has made in the development pathway,” Clarke said.
“The belts are getting tighter but they’re continuing to support a part of the game they’re passionate about.
“I’m sure once the programs commence they’ll realise there’s significantly more support and development in coaching and wellbeing and welfare.
For players that missed out this season that welfare and wellbeing support will be critical.
“Initially (for 19-year-olds), it’s going to be about caring for them after the last six months,” Clarke said.
“Then we’re also going to have to be pretty honest with them about what the plan is for their footy, whether that’s with us or not, it’s about managing expectations.
“It’s been hard on everyone but for those boys and girls especially, missing out Year 12 finishing, getting their licences and just celebrating those normal milestones.”