Bradley Gotch takes up key role at De La Salle in the VAFA
After almost three decades in high-level football coaching ranks, Bradley Gotch has accepted a position in the amateur scene, at a club where his family has strong ties.
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Bradley Gotch’s long-time attachment to De La Salle has turned into an official role with the leading VAFA club.
Coming off a four-year stint with Collingwood in the AFL, Gotch has been appointed head of football at De La.
His ties to the club are strong.
Gotch’s eldest son, Jacob, came out of the Under 19s to play a lot of senior football for De La Salle.
His youngest son, Seb, the Victorian cricket star, had a run with the seniors too while on the Oakleigh Chargers’ books.
And his wife, Michelle, helped with the Thursday meals at the club.
Gotch supported from the sidelines when he wasn’t fulfilling his AFL coaching duties.
Now his involvement takes in an official capacity. His role will cover recruiting and the retention of players across all grades, coaching the coaches, operating player development and leadership programs, and helping with the women’s teams.
“I’m actually really excited about it; it’s exciting to do something that you’re passionate about and can help a club you’ve got a connection with,’’ Gotch said this morning.
“They’re a great club, De La Salle. Really community-minded, a proper grassroots footy club with a lot of good people. There’s so much potential there.’’
Gotch sees the position as a combination of the roles he’s had in football.
He’s had quite a journey since finishing his career as a crafty left-footer with St Kilda and Fitzroy at the end of 1990.
His first coaching role was as an assistant to Tony Elshaug at Dandenong in the VFA in 1991. He took over as senior coach in 1994, Dandy’s last year in the competition.
Gotch took a break in 1995, but for the past 25 years he’s had coaching positions in the Under 18s (Prahran Dragons), the VFL (Springvale, Williamstown, Casey Scorpions), the AFL (two stints at Collingwood, the Western Bulldogs, Port Adelaide) and the SANFL (South Adelaide).
He was a premiership coach with the Dragons, Springy and Williamstown, and gained life membership of the VFL.
Nathan Buckley brought him back to Collingwood in 2017, where his most recent title was “coach development and engagement manager’’. Like many AFL support coaches, COVID-19 claimed his position.
Gotch is on good terms with De La coach Dave Madigan, who had coached Jacob in the Under 19s.
One way or another he also knows the assistant coaches.
“He’s a good coach. Very impressed with him; he knows his stuff and he’ll be great for the club,’’ Gotch said of Madigan.
He said he was enthused that De La Salle had three Under 19 teams.
De La Salle president Matt O’Callaghan said the club was chuffed to bring in someone of Gotch’s calibre.
“I’m excited about the enthusiasm and passion ‘Gotchy’ has already displayed in the past couple of weeks,’’ he said.
“The coaching group is equally excited about their development and learning opportunity under ‘Gotchy’s programs.’’
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