VAFA 2019: Therry Penola coach Damien Peverill outlines vision

DON’T expect to see Damien Peverill ranting or raving on the sidelines in the VAFA next year.

Damien Peverill played 144 games for Essendon.

DON’T expect to see Damien Peverill ranting or raving on the sidelines next year.

The new Therry Penola mentor plans on coaching in the manner he played throughout his AFL career at Essendon — unassuming but effective.

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Peverill, who featured in 144 games for the Bombers, said he would pride himself on building relationships with the Lions’ developing playing list.

“My best style for coaching and teaching guys is forming those individual relationships and working on those,” Peverill said.

“Talking to (president) Rod Moran and the other guys they think that will suit this group.

“I am not one of those guys that rants and raves. I’m not going to be one of those massive motivational speakers.

“I just want to teach, coach and get the best out of young guys that way.”

Peverill had spent several years away from football after featuring in the Essendon District league for Aberfeldie.

Damien Peverill shows off his new colours after signing as Therry Penola coach.

A chance phone call from one of Therry Penola’s coaching subcommittee whet the 39-year-old’s appetite and a chat with outgoing Lions coach Dean Rioli sealed the deal.

“The general theme of the conversations has just been about the playing group in general,” he said.

“They are quite young, eager to learn and really respectful.”

Peverill held his first pre-season training session on Monday and said a four-week block before Christmas would be pivotal to build trust with his players.

“The goal is to build on what Dean did last year,” he said.

“It’s getting in there, seeing where the group is at and trying to figure out a game plan and game style that best suits the group.”

Peverill has coaching experience with Collingwood’s VFL team and Aberfeldie as an assistant.

The former Essendon on-baller said he was “very much a non-playing coach”.

“I’ll try and do a fair bit of the pre-season with them but as a 39-year-old I don’t think I can add a lot to the group as a player,” he said.

“The plan at the moment is definitely to be on the boundary.”

The Lions finished fourth this year in Division 1 under Peverill’s former teammate Rioli, bowing out of the premiership race after a one-point semi-final loss to Oakleigh.

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