By LIAM TWOMEY
TORIN Baker has been appointed head coach of the Western Jets for the 2013 season.
The TAC Cup club made the decision on Monday after former coach Steve Kretiuk resigned to pursue a coaching position in the AFL.
Baker has been an assistant at the Jets for the past four years, working with the under 18 side and the under 16 Brad Johnson squad in that time.
He is also familiar with the western suburbs football scene having previously played for Werribee in the VFL as well as Western Region Football League side Spotswood for the past two years.
“It is a terrific opportunity to have the honour and the faith that the Western Jets have shown in me to appoint me. I’m absolutely rapt to get the position,” Baker said.
“I have been so fortunate to learn the amount of things I’ve learnt off Crush (Kretiuk).
“He has been fantastic in the amount of opportunities he has given to me and the responsibility and empowerment he has given me over that time to learn…how he goes about things has been fantastic.”
While the TAC Cup only finished last weekend, the Jets are already planning for 2013 with pre-season training expected to kick off in early November.
With his experience in the TAC Cup system, Baker said he would look to draw the right balance between the development of players and on field results.
“I think the number one thing is to make sure you are giving the players the best opportunity to be the best footballers they can be,” he said.
“So development takes priority over winning but winning is also a component of being a good footballer and a good football team.
“Everyone loves to win but without doubt the main focus is to make sure that the players coming through the system get the best opportunity to be the best footballers they can be.”
Baker has impressed throughout his time with the Jets and region manager Shane Sexton expected that to continue in his new role.
“We are really confident we have made a good decision and he will be a terrific TAC Cup coach going forward and who knows where after that.”
Due to the time commitments required at TAC level, Baker has retired from playing with Spotswood.
