Once a footballer, always a footballer

Playing representative football for Sydney and NSW are 2 of the things I am most fiercly proud of in my life, so when I was asked by the Sydney AFL to take an active part in this years rep program as they try to instill a sense that being included in the 2014 squad "will be looked back on as a proud career highlight for those involved," it took me a New York second to happily accept. 

So as they take on the ACT over the June long weekend, I'll be honored to watch the Sydney AFL represent their competition with pride.

(This article is from the Sydney AFL website, my  involvement is mentioned near the end of the article)

AFL Sydney Rep Coaches Announced

AFL Sydney is pleased to announce the appointment of Roger Moten as the Senior Coach of the 2014 Sydney Representative side, and Chris Hughes as the returning coach for the Sydney Development squad.

With a long list of coaching credentials, Roger Moten begins his time with the Sydney Representative side following a year as the UWS Giants NEAFL Assistant Coach.

With a background beginning at Sydney University in 2009, Moten coached the inaugural year of the Sydney University NEAFL side in 2012, and also took Sydney AFL Coach of the Year honours in 2010. Prior to Sydney University, Moten performed as player/coach of the UTS First Grade side, leading them to premierships in 2006 and 2008.

"I am certainly thrilled to accept the role and I am looking forward to delivering a thorough program for representative football," says Moten.

Constructing a platform of pride in selection will be Moten’s main motivation as he takes over the senior side.

"The most important thing I can come in and do is deliver a program that is built around the honour it is to represent your peers…and the competition you play in."

Moten brings with him a strong teaching philosophy, with an emphasis on understanding team structures. With that, he will be selecting players purely on form and willingness to represent.

"It’s all about picking players who are playing well, as opposed to players that have made the team in previous years, and then are re-selected on reputation."

Fighting it out for the Carter–Jesaulenko Shield, the senior AFL Sydney team will take on rivals AFL Canberra on their turf at StarTrack Oval over the June long weekend. Meeting for the first time since 2009, Moten is looking forward to the contest.

"The Canberra league has traditionally been a stronger competition prior to the NEAFL taking over…I think they will still have a strong emphasis on a well drilled, well prepared side."

Chris Hughes finds himself at the reins of the Development side (Under 23’s) for the third year running. Currently working with the GWS Academy as their Western Sydney Giants Academy Coach and assistant to Mark McVeigh, Hughes’ coaching ability is evident through his time with the Sydney Swans Academy, the NSW/ACT Rams Under 18s side, as well as North Shore and Balmain.

For Hughes, his return to the Development side means another chance to get a win on the board. With the challenge of bringing together different players from different clubs and building one organised unit as his motivation, Hughes looks forward to creating a successful 2014 side.

"That’s always something that is the hardest thing to do. They’re all brilliant footballers by themselves and with their club teams, because that’s where they play all the time. But to bring them all together and actually get a cohesive team - that’s what brings me back to it."

"This year, we need a win. Last year we went very close but no cigar. This year is about getting a win under the belt but again bringing these guys together and producing a side with modern football styles."

Last year the Development squad went down to what was described as the best ever assembled Riverina side, however Hughes was pleased with this result given their underdog status at the time.

"To go down by just a few points and seeing the absolute panic on the oppositions’ faces, when a young side came up and played better football than what they did - it was quite satisfying."

Like the Senior squad, the Development side will also travel over the long weekend, making their way to Newcastle Sportsground to face the Black Diamond League. Despite a resounding victory to the Sydney side last time the two teams met in 2011, Black Diamond will this year be expected to field a much stronger and experienced team.

"I am expecting an extremely hard contest, they play very hard football up there. I am expecting us to be a very skillful side who run extremely well and that is what I am hoping will be the difference between them and us."

AFL Sydney Football Operations Manager, Matthew Graham is excited by the prospects provided by the 2014 Representative coaches.

"I am absolutely rapt to have Roger on board with his experience and passion," says Graham.

"I am also very pleased with the re-appointment of Chris Hughes who has laid a great platform in recent years, most notably through the large number of his former squad members progressing through to the senior team."

With aims of revamping the program from years past, Graham is of the hope that the new format will ensure great buy-in from clubs and their players - making for an experience that will be looked back on as a proud career highlight for those involved.

"There will be a number of changes to programs from previous years with a few new initiatives and ideas incorporated."

"As part of the refresh, former AFL Sydney Representative and Hall of Fame Member, Barnaby Howarth will play a key role with the teams. With the AFL Sydney Representative Player of the Year named in honour of the Howarth’s, it is very exciting to welcome Barnaby back to the fold."

"Clubs will have more involvement than ever in the program, with club coaches having real input to suitable players, keen and in form. In my opinion this year could be a real changing of the guard."

With the heads of each team now in place, assistant coaches will be announced in the coming weeks, and specific program details will be passed on to senior coaches.

Interviews for the Women’s coach are still underway and an announcement here will soon be made.