Geelong United coach Chris Lucas advises South Barwon mentor Mark Neeld in the coaches box

The senior mentor of a GFNL grand finalist has revealed how a championship-winning coach in an elite sport has chipped in on game day.

South Barwon Coach Mark Neeld after the Swans’ elimination final win over Bell Park. Picture: Mike Dugdale

South Barwon senior mentor Mark Neeld has revealed a potential ace up his sleeve in the coaches box as the Swans approach their second GFNL grand final in a row this Friday at GMHBA Stadium.

Neeld told this masthead after a 30-point preliminary final defeat of St Joseph’s on Saturday at West Oval that Geelong United’s inaugural WNBL senior mentor Chris Lucas had been chipping in with specific advice.

Lucas, who coached the Townsville Fire to back-to-back WNBL titles in 2016, was appointed senior mentor of Geelong back in late May on a two-year contract.

South Barwon coach Mark Neeld and Matt Caldow embrace after the Swans’ 30-point win over St Joseph’s. Picture: Mark Wilson

In a statement, Lucas said he was excited to take on a brand new franchise and thanked Neeld, Geelong United’s chief executive, for giving him the opportunity.

However, Lucas has already repaid the favour in some small way, making suggestions on how Neeld could potentially enhance the clarity of his message to his players and his assistant coaches.

“He was here today with me in the coaches box ... he’ll do the same next week as well,” Neeld told this masthead after the game on Saturday.

“I’ll get some feedback from him on Monday.

“I didn’t ask him about the game, I’m more asking him from a coaching perspective.

“How do you think the communication is going between me and the assistants?

“Is that what you’re used to?

Geelong United coach Chris Lucas takes charge at the franchise's inaugural training session on September 18. Picture: Geelong United Basketball.

“I asked him at half time about some of the messages that I was sending to the players, I asked him to talk about the clarity behind that.

“I’ll repay the favour in the basketball season.”

Meanwhile, Geelong United enjoyed its first official training session last Wednesday morning ahead of the season opener on October 30 against Townsville at Geelong Arena.

United recently added WNBA veteran centre Lynetta Kizer to its inaugural roster, joining Daniel Raber, Taylor Mole, Haley Jones, Monique Conti, Hannah Hank, Gemma Potter, Elissa Brett, Sarah Elsworthy, Keely Froling and Jaz Shelley.

Originally published as Geelong United coach Chris Lucas advises South Barwon mentor Mark Neeld in the coaches box