Post by Violetta on Nov 7, 2002 7:28:18 GMT 9.5
Former Magpies return to nest
By MICHELANGELO RUCCI
07nov02
PORT ADELAIDE Magpies' revival mission in the SANFL – after their worst season since 1948 – will begin with new voices around senior coach Stephen Williams.
Williams last night gathered his players, ahead of starting pre-season training on Monday, to introduce his new coaching panel which brings two new-age Magpies back to Alberton after AFL experiences.
Former Crows wingman Simon Tregenza will return to the Magpies as reserves coach after starting his coaching apprenticeship with Sacred Heart in the amateur leagues where he has scored a premiership. He replaces the long-serving Gary Tredrea, who will coach Port Districts in the amateurs next year.
And favourite son Darren Mead, just retired from the Power, will be the Magpies' defence coach. He replaces Greg Phillips, who will coach Salisbury North next year.
"It's a new chapter in my life," Mead said last night when he traded back the teal and silver of the Power to regain the black-and-white of the Magpies.
"And I'm looking forward to it. Obviously you think about coaching at the end of your playing career and I'm pretty stoked to have the back-lines job with the Magpies.
"I'm looking forward to the challenge and to be part of a new-look club. We're putting together a different dimension to the Magpies and hope that the plans we've begun to put in place are taken out to the field – and work. That's what it is all about."
Previously announced was the arrival of former Richmond AFL captain Matthew Knights as the Magpies' new football operations manager and assistant coach. His impact around Alberton already has been noticeable.
Around Williams, who has coached the Magpies since the club was reformed in 1997 when Port Adelaide was elevated to the AFL as the Power, is 507 games of AFL experience (Knights' 279, Tregenza 106 and Mead 122) and 234 SANFL matches with the Magpies shared by Tregenza and Mead.
Port will keep David Baker as ruck coach and Wayne Mahney on its reserves coaching panel.
The other major coup revealed to the Magpies players last night was the return of former junior player Dave Couzner to Alberton as fitness coach after successfully conditioning Sturt's premiership side this year.
Magpies chief executive Paul Belton said his club had gathered its players on the Tuesday after the bitter defeat in the SANFL reserves grand final with the promise of putting together the best possible off-field team to guide their intended return to the finals next year.
Port is still to resolve who will coach its under-age sides.
Port will tomorrow night award the AR "Bob" McLean Medal to its best-and-fairest player.
Major contenders are Corey AhChee and Nigel Fiegert.
By MICHELANGELO RUCCI
07nov02
PORT ADELAIDE Magpies' revival mission in the SANFL – after their worst season since 1948 – will begin with new voices around senior coach Stephen Williams.
Williams last night gathered his players, ahead of starting pre-season training on Monday, to introduce his new coaching panel which brings two new-age Magpies back to Alberton after AFL experiences.
Former Crows wingman Simon Tregenza will return to the Magpies as reserves coach after starting his coaching apprenticeship with Sacred Heart in the amateur leagues where he has scored a premiership. He replaces the long-serving Gary Tredrea, who will coach Port Districts in the amateurs next year.
And favourite son Darren Mead, just retired from the Power, will be the Magpies' defence coach. He replaces Greg Phillips, who will coach Salisbury North next year.
"It's a new chapter in my life," Mead said last night when he traded back the teal and silver of the Power to regain the black-and-white of the Magpies.
"And I'm looking forward to it. Obviously you think about coaching at the end of your playing career and I'm pretty stoked to have the back-lines job with the Magpies.
"I'm looking forward to the challenge and to be part of a new-look club. We're putting together a different dimension to the Magpies and hope that the plans we've begun to put in place are taken out to the field – and work. That's what it is all about."
Previously announced was the arrival of former Richmond AFL captain Matthew Knights as the Magpies' new football operations manager and assistant coach. His impact around Alberton already has been noticeable.
Around Williams, who has coached the Magpies since the club was reformed in 1997 when Port Adelaide was elevated to the AFL as the Power, is 507 games of AFL experience (Knights' 279, Tregenza 106 and Mead 122) and 234 SANFL matches with the Magpies shared by Tregenza and Mead.
Port will keep David Baker as ruck coach and Wayne Mahney on its reserves coaching panel.
The other major coup revealed to the Magpies players last night was the return of former junior player Dave Couzner to Alberton as fitness coach after successfully conditioning Sturt's premiership side this year.
Magpies chief executive Paul Belton said his club had gathered its players on the Tuesday after the bitter defeat in the SANFL reserves grand final with the promise of putting together the best possible off-field team to guide their intended return to the finals next year.
Port is still to resolve who will coach its under-age sides.
Port will tomorrow night award the AR "Bob" McLean Medal to its best-and-fairest player.
Major contenders are Corey AhChee and Nigel Fiegert.
