Hungry for the win
SOME use being involved in a local sporting club as a release from their everyday lives or their jobs.
For second-year Manunda Hawks coach Marc Harbrow, his role at the football club he loves is an extension of his day job.
The Hawks have risen from the depths of the AFL Cairns landscape over the past two seasons and while a club is about a group working together, there can only be one senior coach, a driving force for the entire playing group.
At Manunda, much of the squad are young indigenous men from around the Far North, very much like Harbrow’s work environment, as PCYC’s senior indigenous community sports and recreation co-ordinator.
The role involves working collaboratively with local Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and other interest groups to ensure that the sport and recreational programs being delivered are addressing the needs of the local community.
Hawks assistant coach, Craig Staude, believes what Harbrow does from 9-5 translates to the footy field.
Staude knows a thing or two about coaching and play- ing the game, he was at Glenelg in the SANFL under the great Graham Cornes as well as being involved in seven flags in the Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara Football League.
“The main thing for me is that coaching is a whole encompassing thing, it is not just about football,” Staude said.
“Communication is key and Marc is great at that.
“He is good mates with all the players but he draws the line there as he is the coach and there is a lot of respect from the playing group towards him.
“He loves his job, he is passionate and studies it well.
“The stuff he does for his day job, that compliments his footy as he really listens to people.”
Staude was not on the Hawks bench in 2015 but Harbrow was persistent in his pursuit of his mentor to join him at Cazalys Stadium. They worked together in years previous at Cairns City Lions.
Staude is the assistant by title but he has more responsibility than a regular assistant coach and will regularly address the playing group before games and in quarter breaks.
Some senior coaches would be threatened by their assistants doing so, but Harbrow and Hawks president Richard Martin embrace his knowledge.
“Craig is the old head that provides the experience for Marc,” Martin said.
And, what about the young, nothing-to-lose Hawks playing group ahead of today’s AFL Cairns decider against the undefeated Port Douglas?
“The playing group deserves the credit, as coaches, we have loaded the gun but they need to go out there and fire the bullet,” Staude said
“Everyone will think Port Douglas will win this Saturday, but we are a chance.”