Footy gods grant Josh fresh goal
AFL dream turns into coaching
WHEN Joshua Hanlon’s football career was wrecked by injury, that could have easily been the end of his involvement in the game. Now, the new Cairns-based Gold Coast Suns Academy coach is working to develop the next generation of Far North AFL draftees, a dream he once held before his body failed him. The 24-year-old will oversee the most talented juniors, male and female, for the Suns Academy in the Far North over the summer months, before they head back to their clubs for the season. Hanlon caught the eye of Suns Talent Academy manager Jason Torney while coaching the under-age Cape York Crusaders over the past two years, leading to the job offer. “I am excited by the role,” Hanlon said.
JOSHUA Hanlon’s promising football career was cut down before it had even begun.
Now, the new Cairns-based Gold Coast Suns Academy coach is working towards developing the next generation of Far North AFL draftees, a dream he once had before his body failed him.
As a coach in his early 20s, it is rare for an AFL club to hand a role such as this to a relative youngster in the coaching ranks.
But, Hanlon is held in high regard within north Queensland AFL circles, and the Suns have shown an abundance of faith in him.
As a 17-year-old, Hanlon moved to the Gold Coast with an eye to being drafted before persistent injuries, including shoulder, back, knee and groin concerns, stopped that dream before it could even get off the ground.
As a high-level tennis, hockey and Australian rules athlete growing up, Hanlon, son of AFL Tasmania Hall of Fame member Rick, says overtraining across different sports led to the constant issues with his body. “I was told I could not play footy anymore, which was tough to hear, because it is all that I ever wanted to do,” Hanlon said.
“The stress fractures in the back were the final straw.
“But, I had a lot of support around me, and I was told that I would became a decent coach if I put my mind to it, which I did.
“That started to become reality pretty quickly.”
After AFL Cairns operations manager Craig Lees held the Suns Academy coach role last year, Hanlon has taken over the coaching job this summer.
The 24-year-old will oversee the most talented juniors, male and female, for the Suns Academy in the Far North over the summer months, before they head back to their clubs when the 2019 season commences.
Hanlon caught the eye of Suns Talent Academy manager Jason Torney coaching the under-age Cape York Crusaders over the last two years, leading to the job offer.
“I am excited about the role — it is a great opportunity,” Hanlon said.
Hanlon works as a development co-ordinator for AFL Cape York.