GEELONG’S new VFL coach, Shane O’Bree, says winning games will be as important to him as nurturing talent.
O’Bree has replaced Paul Hood, who has moved into the player development area, in the role.
“Being the VFL coach is a lot about development and trying to improve every player on your list, whether he be a VFL top-up player or an AFL player,” O’Bree told geelongcats.com.au.
“But I think creating a winning culture is the way to go as well.
“Hopefully we can win a few games and build a bit of confidence and maintain a healthy list as well.”
O’Bree has been part of the Cats’ coaching staff since moving south from Gold Coast in late 2012.
Having moved into a player development role for the 2015 season, he was expecting to have a similar gig for the next 12 months.
That was until he received a surprise call-up to take over as VFL coach.
“It definitely is a great buzz to get the job,” O’Bree said. “I was not expecting it at all.
“It’s something I’ve always thought about – how I’d go coaching my own team.”
O’Bree has worked closely with the VFL team in recent times, so he has an intimate knowledge of his key challenges he will face in his new job.
“It’s about getting that mix right with the AFL players and VFL players, and making sure everyone is on the same page in terms of the game-style that the senior team wants to play,” he said.
Along with academy and VFL manager Troy Selwood, O'Bree will put the VFL list together over the next few months.
“We’ve got a group of 55 players who we’ve invited to train with us for a spot on our top-up list,” O’Bree explained.
“We’ll be making them earn their contracts, and we hope that creates a culture where the boys are pretty competitive about winning spots on our list.”
“It’s great to get so many local coaches who know the VFL system but have also had so much success as players and coaches in the Geelong leagues,” O’Bree said.
“They’re very eager to get in the AFL system and learn as much as they can. I’ll play a big part in helping them.”
Just two months ago, O’Bree achieved a long-held aim on the field when he played in Darley’s Ballarat league premiership.
The Devils were coached by his first-cousin, Jarrod Edwards.
“It was my first senior premiership, and to play with my cousins and close friends was a great buzz,” O’Bree said.
But will the VFL coaching gig mean he now has to hang up the boots?
“I don’t know,” O’Bree said.
“The body’s still pretty good, and I love playing football because it gives me a bit of a reality check about how hard it is to play the game. It helps me understand it’s not that easy.
“Whether I can play or not will depend on what the Darley draw is like compared to the VFL draw.
“But while the body still allows me to do it, I want to keep playing for as long as I can.”
