PRIDE IN THE SWANS

Q

Obviously South Melbourne and Sydney have played a major part of your life. How proud are you to see what Sydney have become after your initial work there?

A

Very proud. I saw them win a flag after 72 years in 2005. I’m a staunch Swans fan. It’s a great club.

Q

You went back to play for Williamstown in the VFA back in Melbourne in 1989 and you won your first flag at the age of 39. How special was that?

A

I was pretty happy about that. Terry Wheeler was coaching Williamstown and he got appointed as the coach of Footscray so I took over as the coach of Williamstown and kept playing. I was captain and coach in 1990 when we won the flag. The next year I was 41 but felt OK. But the knee got a bit sore and I thought I’d have a bit of a clean out and keep going but I never came good. So I retired at the young age of 41. I had 23 years playing at the top grade for footy so I can’t complain.

Q

How did you find yourself living on the Gold Coast after spending your whole career in Victoria and NSW?

A

My kids were living here on the Coast and I came to visit. They drove me to Coolangatta airport and going back to 10 degrees so I made the decision to move up in 2008. I just love it here. I have been here for 10 years now. Natalie is 42 and David is 40. He has two kids so I have a couple of grandkids to fuss over and my grandson is playing for Palm Beach Currumbin in the under-10s. He is going to be big.