There’s no stopping veteran Spaulding

LANCE Spaulding just can’t help himself.

The former North Hobart, VFL Devils and Tasmanian under-18s coach has signed up again to teach a group of young men the ways of football – this time the Hutchins Old Scholars Football Club.

It is a sort of homecoming for Spaulding, with the Lions playing their home games at Queenborough, the former nest of Sandy Bay, Spaulding’s old statewide league team.

“We play on such big ovals now, but this one is small but it is a very special ground,” Spaulding, 59, said.

“Everyone enjoys watching footy here and they enjoy playing here, it is a fantastic place.

“It was always called the (Graeme) Mackey Enclosure and he was very special to me and all Sandy Bay people, so it is special for me to come back to as I was 16 when I first came here and that was a long time ago.”

Spaulding is familiar with the Old Scholars, with his son-in-law DOSA coach Jake Briggs sure to make for some interesting conversations at family barbecues.

“It is a bunch of young men, the big thing will be just teaching a few modern concepts,” he said.

“It is not that different really, it is just a few different ideas and I think they will embrace it.”

Spaulding coached the last year of the Mariners before they became the Devils playing full time in the NAB League under-18 competition.

Included in his list was Mitch O’Neill, who was overlooked in the national draft before West Coast swooped in the rookie draft.

Spaulding was stunned O’Neill had to wait so long.

“He’s been All-Australian twice, which is rarely done and he’s performed on the big stage with the Allies, so I was very surprised and disappointed for him,” he said.

“But he’ll be right, he’ll be on the list before March.

“As soon as they get an injury, he’ll be on.”