Ex-Hawk Hook takes on key Tiger role
9 February, 2006
Tony Greenberg
richmondfc.com.au
Richmond has hired respected football administrator John Hook to head up its opposition analysis program.
It will be a part-time role for Hook, who spent nearly 25 years in football operations at Hawthorn before his departure at the end of the 2004 season.
“One of the expanding operational roles in the football division these days is having a thorough knowledge of your opposition. You need to have both an understanding of the other 15 clubs’ playing lists, as well as the game styles and match-day practices that the coaches of the teams we’re about to play employ,” said Richmond’s Director of Football Greg Miller.
“To this end, the Club has upgraded the role to appoint, on a part-time basis, John Hook, who was a long-serving, successful Football Manager at Hawthorn.
“John’s obviously well known to Paul Armstrong (Richmond’s Football Operations Manager) and myself through his lengthy involvement in recruiting and football administration. And, he also was at Hawthorn in Terry’s (Wallace) playing days there.
“He is a student of the game and a fantastic resource to add to our footy club.
“We are delighted to have a quality person with his vast experience and football knowledge in this important role.”
Hook’s areas of responsibility include co-ordinating ‘forward scouts’ Australia-wide for the Club, presentations to the match committee, plus follow-up presentations to the playing group before each game during the season.
“John will be in charge of a department of people who will attend training and matches of the other 15 teams in the competition, so that our match committee and, ultimately, our players, are armed with sufficient knowledge of what they can expect on game day,” Miller said.
Hook also will work closely with Miller in helping Richmond capitalise on the opportunities presented by the recently-adopted NSW apprenticeship scheme, which allows all AFL clubs to sign two boys from 15 years of age per year on an apprenticeship program – from Sydney up to the Queensland border.
“John had some experience with the scheme in the part-time role he had at Collingwood in 2005 and he will assist in the set-up of it at Richmond,” Miller said.
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