Josh Caddy will embark on his debut coaching journey with one goal in mind

Two-time Richmond premiership player Josh Caddy has outlined what he will bring to Port Melbourne Colts as coach this season. Here’s what to expect.

Josh Caddy will bring an aspect of what delivered Richmond its premiership success when he steers Port Melbourne Colts in 2023.

It won’t be Dustin Martin nor will it be 100,000 dedicated fans, instead it will be a focus on enjoying footy and using the game as a release from everyday life.

“Blokes play local footy to just have a good time,” he said.

“You don’t have the time to train and coach things too heavily, you have to keep it simple, the game plan I played with at Richmond – although it changed year to year and evolved – it was based on effort and pressure but also having a good time.

“Blokes work all week, go to uni, they play footy to have a release from life, so I think the main thing I want to be known for as a coach is that blokes actually enjoy coming to training and are having a good time.

“That’s something I am really trying to bring to the club because from my experiences, that’s when blokes play their best.”

And while 2023 is Caddy’s maiden coaching experience, he feels it is a positive and is confident his good time mantra will reflect on his sides performance.

“The beauty of it is that I don’t have any scars from coaching, I am going into it a little bit blind,” he said.

“Footy has been a part of my life forever but in terms of coaching, I haven’t done a whole lot of it.

“I suppose as you get older as a player you naturally coach young players, but to be honest it’s probably a promising thing that there’s no real challenges just yet.

“I guess playing still, I have got some support around me but playing (while coaching) will be a challenge, but I thought while I am still young and able to play, why not.

“I haven’t put a ceiling on us, I am confident we will definitely improve, how much I don’t know, as long as the guys are having a good time – winning helps that – but I think winning is a byproduct of blokes being happy and having a good time.”

Josh Caddy finished 2022 with NFL club Greensborough . Picture: Hamish Blair

Port – which managed seven wins from 18 appearances last season – will front up a little differently.

But although Caddy lands alongside much-needed recruits Billie Smedts, Zak McGubbin, Dean Giles and Eren Soylemez, he says a strong foundation was already in place.

“It’s always good to get good players,” he said.

“I know the club struggled a bit last year, but I think there were a lot of injuries and the best players the club had weren’t playing all the time.

“Even just the players we already had were good, but it’s good to get good players in.

“We’ve got some good new players, but we have got some good ones already on the list, so hopefully with some fresh ideas we can turn things around from a disappointing year last year.”

Port Melbourne Colts begin its season with St Kilda City at the Peanut Farm on April 15.