BFNL 2023: How Geelong Amateur landed VFL superstar Tom Gribble as playing assistant coach

One of the VFL’s best players has been picked up by a local club that missed the finals. How did they secure him, and why has he made the call to leave the state league? Find out here.

Tom Gribble is joining Geelong Amateur. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Geelong Amateur has landed Werribee VFL superstar Tom Gribble as a full-time playing assistant coach for the 2024 season in a major coup for the club.

The dual J.J. Liston Trophy winner has been a ball-magnet at VFL level for a decade, averaging 30.9 disposals, 6.4 clearances and 120 SuperCoach points this season on his way to a third-placed finish in the league best-and-fairest.

Gribble has played 140 VFL games across an illustrious career, winning the J.J. Liston Trophy in 2019 and 2022.

In what may be his final VFL game, the 28-year-old racked up 29 disposals, 15 contested possessions and eight clearances in Werribee’s grand final loss to Gold Coast, proving he is still at the top of his game.

During an incredible stretch midway through the season, Gribble amassed 34 disposals or more in seven consecutive weeks.

Tom Gribble has signed with Geelong Amateur. Picture: Getty Images

The bombshell signing will bolster the Ammos’ midfield group significantly as they look to make the leap into finals next season after narrowly missing out in 2023.

Gribble had been aligned with Geelong Amateur this season but had his full focus on Werribee’s VFL campaign.

Ammos co-coach Dan Holyroyd said the club had asked him the question about his plans for next season and he suggested he may want a change.

Holyroyd said the pull of playing with mates after a decade doing the hard yards at VFL level ultimately sealed the deal to return to local level.

Gribble’s connections with co-coaches Holyroyd and Kershaw as well as Ammos players like Riley Ferguson and Cam Lewis helped lure him to the club.

“What people don’t realise is we were his home club this year, even though he is not one of those guys who ever played local footy because he was one of (Werribee’s) first picked every week,” Holyroyd said.

“He was aligned with us this year and one of those things ‘what are you doing next year, are you doing Werribee again?’”

“Then when he sort of indicated he might want a change we were probably the only club he spoke with and he’s been in that system a long time and looking forward to playing some footy with mates while he still can, while he’s still playing and they’re still playing.”

“It is probably more exciting what he is going to bring in terms of culture and stuff coming from that program over at Werribee this year.”

Tom Gribble (left) with his J.J. Liston Trophy in 2022. Picture: Getty Images

FINALS AMMUNITION

The Ammos were disappointed to miss out on the finals this year, and making the top five will be the expectation in 2024.

With Gribble’s experience both on and off the field, Holyroyd believes he will set the standard at the club and bring techniques from the elite VFL pathway to the BFNL in his assistant coaching role.

Gribble will sit down with Holyroyd and Kershaw and help shape their gameplan, and work closely with the midfielders to assist their development – an opportunity that any local footballer would take with both hands.

While there is no pressure on Gribble to be “the difference” in 2024, Holyroyd said there are no excuses for the Ammos next year.

Dan Holroyd (left) will get help from Gribble to shape thier gameplan. Picture: Alan Barber

“We were probably disappointed not to make finals this year anyway. We felt like we underachieved so to pretty much re-sign our whole list,” Gribble said.

“I’m not going to beat around the bush or shy away, we are expecting to make finals next year – we were this year as well – so I’m not going to put pressure on him and say he is going to be the difference but having a better preparation this year we are not going to have any excuses that’s for sure.

“I know him well enough and I’ve seen enough of him. He’s got a pretty incredible footy IQ. In terms of the knowledge he will bring is probably the main thing for us in terms of the way we approach the season the way we role out our gameplan is going to be pretty important to that.”

NEW SIGNINGS?

One often brings two – or more - when a big fish joins a local club.

And while the Ammos are working hard behind the scenes to secure more signings, Holyroyd said there are no more recruits locked in just yet.

“It definitely helps if you get a big fish early it can create a bit of momentum but I can’t probably ‘count your chickens before they hatch’ kind of thing,” Holyroyd said.

“We’re working on it but time will tell on that one.”

Originally published as BFNL 2023: How Geelong Amateur landed VFL superstar Tom Gribble as playing assistant coach