Joeys set to usher in new era
THEY’VE won three of the last four premierships, but GFL powerhouse St Joseph’s is set to usher in a new era.
With Heath Jamieson moving on after six years, the core group of his assistants have also announced they are parting ways with the club.
Shane Jack is heading to Bell Park as co-coach alongside Tim Sheringham, while Brett Jackman is also stepping down.
“I’m going to have a spell next year, I’ll pull up stumps,” Jackman said after Joeys’ grand final triumph over St Mary’s.
“I’ll stay at home. I’ve got three kids under the age of six, so it’s a bit full-on and I need to pull my weight back there and watch from afar.”
Fellow assistants Chris Nicholls and David King are yet to decide on their future as the club prepares to announce Jamieson’s replacement.
Former Geelong premier- ship defender Tom Lonergan was considered for the role, but declined the offer.
The club is set to make a decision in the coming weeks, having delayed an announcement to focus on its flag tilt.
Jackman, a champion of the club with 260-plus matches and the 2009 best and fairest to his name, was an assistant coach in the premierships sides of 2015 and 2018.
He admitted the club had “big shoes” to fill as Jamieson departs as a four-time premiership coach in local footy.
“I think the core group has developed so much under him, and as shown in the grand final, they can step up in any situation put in front of them,” Jackman said.
“Obviously we were in a bit of a hole during the year but we got ourselves out through persistence and working on the things we’re good at.”
Jackman said Jamieson had a profound impact on the coaches, allowing them to have a strong say throughout the season.
“We’re line coaches and we have our input and he just gives us direction on how he wants us to play,” Jackman said.
“He’s so good because he gets around all the boys. He’s not just a coach, he gets down to the players’ level. He gets along with them all very, very well but he also knows how to get the best out of them.”