Six assistants locked in for AFL’s Level 4 coaching course as they eye senior gig

The latest batch of assistant coaches to be included in the AFL’s level four coaching program has been announced, but there’s one notable omission.

Melbourne’s Craig Jennings. Pic: AFL Media

Melbourne strategy co-ordinator Craig Jennings is among the latest batch of assistant coaches to be included in the AFL’s level four coaching program.

The AFL has made some tweaks to the program, which is designed to help bolster the education and skills of the next wave of prospective senior coaches.

But Hawthorn’s Sam Mitchell, who is widely seen as the man most likely to take over from Alastair Clarkson at Waverley down the track, was not included.

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The six participants are Jennings, Ashley Hansen and Daniel Giansiracusa (Western Bulldogs), David Teague (Carlton), Ashley Prescott (Gold Coast) and Henry Playfair (St Kilda).

Craig Jennings is Melbourne’s strategy co-ordinator. Pic: AFL Media

David Teague could one day be a senior coach. Pic: AFL Media

As part of the program, the participants have access to some of the most highly-respected coaching minds in the country, across various sports.

Jennings has been widely acclaimed for his impact at Melbourne, helping catapult the young Demons into last year’s preliminary final.

Melbourne co-captain Nathan Jones strongly endorsed Jennings last year.

“He is the best, or certainly one of the best, minds in footy I’ve seen,” Jones said.

“He is quite quirky in the way he teaches and educates players.

“It is quite refreshing the way he formulates meetings with different anecdotes and I was a huge fan of the way he approached AFLX.

Hawks assistant coach Sam Mitchell is still some time away from stepping up. Pic: Getty Images

“The way he sees the game tactically, in particular, and the way he reads trends (is fantastic).

“I’ve had some exposure to it sitting in the box, and his calmness and coolness under pressure, he just sees what’s happening out there — whether that’s in the initial play or off the ball.

“He is able to assist in making (positional) moves and he 100 per cent has the temperament (to be a senior coach) and is very valuable contributor to our coaching group.”

David Rath has been put in charge of the program since moving from Hawthorn to the AFL last year.

Originally published as Six assistants locked in for AFL’s Level 4 coaching course as they eye senior gig