By Michael Esposito
WERRIBEE champion Dom Gleeson said the job he was offered by Geelong’s VFL club was too good to pass up.
Gleeson is moving on from Werribee, where forged such a proud and long legacy, to take up the role of playing assistant coach under Matthew Knights at Geelong.
His good mate James Podisiadly, who he played with at Werribee from 2003-2008, put in a good word for him at the Cats, which no doubt helped him land the job.
“People say it’s not what you know it’s who you know in football, so hopefully I don’t let those people down who I do know,” Gleeson said.
But Gleeson’s reputation as a true professional and motivational leader was also a factor in him being added to the club’s VFL and academy coaching panel, where he will be working closely with Geelong premiership player Max Rooke.
“He has the attributes and character to add to our young player’s experience in a coaching role, and this is the first step for Dominic as he transitions from playing to hopefully a career in coaching,” Geelong’s football manager Neil Balme said on the club’s website.
The 28-year-old said he was offered a similar, though less meaty, role with the Cats last year, but didn’t want to end his career at Werribee on the low note that was season 2010.
“There was some unfinished business, and the role at Geelong wasn’t as great as it was this year. Geelong came back with an offer that was just too good to refuse.”
Gleeson, who will start his new job on 23 November, said he had intentions to forge a coaching career after his playing days were over.
“I did a level two coaching course two years ago, so it was something I’ve always aspired to do. I was never quite good enough to make it to elite (playing) level. I’ve been through highs and lows so I think I can relate to most footballers, so it’s something definitely I want to do, whatever level it is.”
He said he would adopt fragments of the philosophies of former Werribee coaches Simon Atkins and Paul Satterley, but hopes to form his own ethos.
“I like to think I’m not brainwashed by anyone and I can adapt to most coaches. They (Atkins and Satterley) were polar opposites. One (Atkins) was from the old-school approach and I did like that -the Tom Hafey style where you’re dictated to and you fell into line, and then Paul Satterley was more open to discussion.
“I like to think I learnt a lot from bot h of them. Both of them are amazing coaches in their own right, but I like to think that I’ve got my own beliefs as well.”
Gleeson grew up on a potato and dairy farm in Koroit, just out of Warrnambool, and was zoned to TAC Cup side Geelong Falcons, where he played alongside the likes of Jimmy Bartel, Gary Ablett and Luke Hodge. He knows several senior Cats players from the time he lived in Geelong, but will be playing mainly with Geelong’s developing youngsters.
“The guys I’ll be playing with are new to me, which is exciting. They’re a young group and they can be made into anything the coaching staff allow them to be, so I’m looking forward to that aspect for sure.”
