EAST Geelong is on the hunt for a new coach following Jeremy Power’s decision not to take on the role in 2021.
Power, who guided the Eagles to their first finals appearance since 2014 last year, revealed the shutdown of the season as a result of the impact of coronavirus had given him time to assess his future.
“With COVID-19 and the way it’s gone, you do get some time back, and you weigh-up how much time you put into footy,” he said.
“But also where your head’s at; you’ve got work, family and footy, and it just wears on.
“The choice is a bit about getting some time back to relax a little bit more and change that pace. Very tough from a footy sense, but right on a personal level.
“My wife (Danika) coaches netball, and the kids have their different sports.
“They’re running around, I’m running around, and there’s probably not a lot of time where we all just hang out together.”
GDFL: CHRIS TO LEAD ANAKIE NO MORE
Power, who returned to Richmond Crescent at the end of 2017 having played with the club earlier in the decade, admits it’s tough to find the right balance between family, work and football.
“The beauty of footy is that there’s always something going on; there’s always change and exciting thing happening,” he said.
I love footy, so I get drawn into different thoughts. But that chews into your time when you’re at work.
You think about different things, and you’re probably not as switched on as you should be. And around the home, you’re probably not listening to conversations as well as you should. There always that presence.
“And having been involved with footy for 15 years straight, I think there’s time to step back and see what it’s like.
“If I really miss it, (I’ll) jump back in.”
Power is confident East Geelong, which won last year’s reserve grade premiership, is well-positioned to challenge for its first senior flag since 2009 in coming years.
“I hope whoever takes the reins from me does a better job than me and the club keeps moving forward because I think that’s where they’re really at,” he said.
“It’s just not that far away. From the way the blokes are and the feel around the footy club, anyone is going to be able to walk in and recognise that right away.
“You’ve got players who come from other clubs and say “this is just a great place to be part of”.
“Once you’ve got the culture right and that feeling’s good, the guys know so much about football now – (they) know game plans, (they) know structures – and are going to be pretty flexible to whichever way a coach wants to go.
Twitter: @tom_king79
