Rawlings to coach Coburg
3:21 PM Tue 2 October, 2007
Tony Greenberg
for richmondfc.com.au
Jade Rawlings is the new coach of Richmond’s VFL affiliate Coburg.
The former Hawthorn, Bulldogs and Kangaroos key-position player replaces Andy Collins, who has accepted a full-time role as coach of SANFL club West Adelaide after guiding the Coburg Tigers into this year’s VFL grand final.
Rawlings made a favorable impression in his first year as an assistant coach at Richmond following his retirement as a league player at the end of the 2006 season.
“We’re delighted that Coburg has appointed Jade as its senior coach,” said Richmond’s Director of Football Greg Miller.
“When Jade heard about Andy Collins’ transfer to West Adelaide as coach, he was quick to inform Terry Wallace, and the Coburg board, that he was very keen to throw his hat into the ring for his first senior coaching job.
“The 12 months he has spent under Terry here, and his extensive experience with the Kangaroos, Bulldogs and Hawthorn before that, has taught him much about the game.
“He has a very good understanding of the VFL competition, having commentated on ABC-TV throughout the season, and we believe he’s an ideal fit for the coaching role at Coburg.
“While it will be a Coburg-first attitude that he must take into the job, the benefit for us is that he’ll understand exactly the way Terry wants Richmond to play, and will implement his game plan accordingly.
“The heavy emphasis on youth development, embraced by Andy Collins over the past couple of years, will be continued by Jade, and we feel that his appointment as coach is great for the longevity of the relationship between Richmond and Coburg.”
Miller confirmed that although Rawlings’ primary focus would be the Coburg Tigers, he would remain involved in a part-time assistant’s role at Richmond.
“In due course, we will be looking for a replacement for some of the work that Jade’s been doing at the Club,” Miller said.
Miller also paid tribute to departing Coburg coach Andy Collins . . .
“I’d like to take the opportunity to thank Andy, who did such a good job at Coburg in his time there.
“He understood what the VFL is all about, and for him to get Coburg into the grand final this year, on a 65% salary cap, with so many young men really wanting to play for him, is a huge credit to him.
“We wish him all the best for the future at West Adelaide.”
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