Coach back on the tools
AFTER years working his way through the AFL coaching system, Mark Corrigan had taken a major leap to be named head coach of Essendon’s VFL side — only to spend his winter on the tools in landscaping.
The South Barwon champion, who also played with Geelong’s VFL side before beginning his coaching career, was stood down at the start of the coronavirus pandemic. He had overseen two practice matches with his Bombers side and was about to start the season when he was told to pack up his office.
Corrigan now rises early each day in his new profession.
“I’m on the tools at 7am until about 3.30-4pm … the majority of that is made up of digging holes and planting trees,” he told SEN. “It’s a little bit different from what I am used to, but it’s keeping me busy, which is great.
“I am pretty fortunate to have a job so, keeping it in perspective, I was happy to do whatever came my way.”
A five-time premiership star with the Swans in the GFL, Corrigan began coaching in opposition research with the Cats.
He then joined Essendon as a development coach before he was named to coach the VFL team at the start of this year. Corrigan doubts he will return to the Bombers next year as the AFL industry tightens because of COVID-19, but he would happily take back his position if it was available.
“I saw it as a great challenge for me to diversify my skill set and coach a team in my own right,” he said.
“I loved every minute of it. It’s quite different because you are working with a VFL list as well as an AFL list.”
After his playing days, Corrigan put in a stint with
Barwon Heads in 2018. He said he was feeling for local clubs as they spent a winter without senior football.
“Footy runs a lot deeper than Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday,” he said.
“It’s a galvanising sport and it brings people in the community together, and for some it gives them direction as well, so it absolutely leaves a big void in a lot of communities at the moment.”