New coach ready to help Magpies soar

Willowburn women's coach hopes to continue team's winning form

IN CHARGE: Matt Gatty will coach the Willowburn Magpies Premier Women's team this season. Picture: Jason Gibbs

FOOTBALL: Matt Gatty has big boots to fill.

Gatty officially joined Willowburn earlier this week - taking the reins of the Magpies Premier Women's team - a team that dominated the 2018 season on its way to securing the premiership without dropping a game.

"There's obviously a bit of pressure there - coaching a team that won every game last year,” he said.

"But I'm really looking forward to the challenge.

"They look like a good unit, a good bunch of girls. Hopefully we can have another good season.”

Gatty said he would draw on his playing and coaching experience with Brisbane club Samford Rangers.

"I've been playing since I was five years old,” he said.

"I've been at Samford for about 14 years. I played in the team Capital Two team (Brisbane's top division at the time) as a sweeper and eventually a left back.

"Unfortunately I did my ACL in 2017 and then not long after I returned to playing I did another ACL.

"Last year I coached the club's women's team to second place.

"I will admit I don't know everything, there's still a lot for me to learn, but I think we did pretty good.

"There were a few things I was able to teach them just from my experience as a player and we really came together as a team.”

Willowburn travel to Gatton tomorrow eager to maintain their unbeaten start to the season.

Focused on the match against the Redbacks and the season ahead, Gatty said his approach would be simple.

"I don't like to put a particular emphasis on attack or defence,” he said.

"As a defender I see the value in good defence but I think it's more important you have a well-rounded team.

"Balance is important.

"Outside of that I think we (Willowburn) just have to guard against complacency.

"There's going to be a lot of teams that want to beat us this year - we just have to try to be at our best.”

Originally published as New coach ready to help Magpies soar