Tim McGibney lands senior coaching job in West Gippy league
Sacked by Traralgon over comments he made on a podcast about a rival club, Tim McGibney has taken over from Aussie Jones and Ricky Clark as coach of Bunyip.
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Tim McGibney is back in the game in Gippsland.
The former VFL assistant has been appointed senior coach of Bunyip, a few months after he was axed by Traralgon over comments he made in a podcast.
And the Bulldogs have also locked in Narre Warren premiership players Dylan and Ryan Quirk as key recruits.
Dylan, Narre’s captain, will serve as assistant coach.
In a podcast called “The Low Footy IQ’’, McGibney, 32, questioned what he regarded as the rough-house tactics of Gippsland league opponent Wonthaggi.
The podcast was taken down when Wonthaggi officials complained to Traralgon and the league.
McGibney apologised for what he regarded as an “error of judgment’’ but not a sackable offence.
Even Wonthaggi admitted it was surprised when the Maroons let go their second-year coach.
But McGibney has landed the top job with the Bulldogs, who missed the finals only on percentage in the West Gippsland league last year.
He went to school with Bunyip president Brad Walker and the Bulldogs sounded him out as they cast around for candidates to replace former St Kilda star and Bendigo Gold VFL coach Austinn Jones and Ricky Clark.
“I went to Frankston (after departing Traralgon) with Danny Ryan to be midfield coach if 2020 went ahead and I was planning to stay there but when ‘Tex’ rang I thought it sounded interesting,’’ McGibney said.
“I knew a few of the boys at Bunyip and it’s 10 minutes from home — I’ve never had a coaching job that’s close to home.
“Tex (Walker) and I had a couple of phone conversations, and he hooked me up with Aussie and Ricky Clark. I had a chat with them and they’re staying on the committee. We all jumped in a zoom chat and it all played out from there. I’m really excited about it, taking over a side that’s pushing for finals.’’
He said it said something about the club that Jones and Clark were keen to remain involved.
“You talk about culture and all that, it must be a pretty good environment for that to ever happen.’’
As for the podcast blow-up, McGibney said he was initially concerned that his reputation would suffer and he would struggle to pursue his coaching.
But in the weeks after it he received a lot of support and it helped him through.
“It was actually incredible. I had strangers hunting me down on Facebook, I had parents of Traralgon kids, I had the playing group, other clubs messaging me, phone calls from other presidents, people I worked with at Casey VFL and the players who played under me … it really lifted me, because after the first week I thought it was dire straits, like, I’m screwed here and I’m not going to come back from this,’’ McGibney said.
“But the support came in thick and fast. I’m really thankful to everyone who jumped in for me.’’
He said his family gave him unstinting support too and was pleased to be joining a family-friendly club.
Dylan Quirk played in three senior premierships for Narre Warren, won a best and fairest, captained the club, and was an interleague representative and multiple team-of-the-year member.
He also played for Sandringham Dragons in the TAC Cup.
Ryan figured in Narre’s 2019 grand final win over Berwick and was a team-of-the-year selection in 2018.
McGibney said the Quirks were fine players and Bunyip was lucky to land them.
He said that while Dylan made his reputation a long time ago, Ryan had also emerged into a top-liner.
“I think he’s a star in the making, if he’s not already there,’’ he said.
“Pretty excited about him. I think a few people will tout him as the ‘steak knives’ coming across with Dylan but I’m bullish about him.’’
The brothers are the sons of south-east plastering king Jason Quirk.
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