PETER Riccardi says it was a “no-brainer” to accept Bannockburn’s offer to coach the defending GDFL premier for another year.
Riccardi, who contemplated stepping down after leading the Tigers to their first flag in 16 years, is keen to lead the Tigers’s charge for consecutive flags.
“When something’s taken away, you don’t realise how much you miss it,” he said.
“And if you’ve got a little bit to give, why not give it?”
2021 will be Riccardi’s fifth season in the job, but he’s unsure whether he’ll go beyond that.
“Every time you coach, it really drains you,” he said.
“But, I’m kind of a glutton for punishment and I say “one more year, one more year”.
GDFL: BUCK TAKES JUNIOR ROLE AT HAWKS
“I wasn’t even keen to coach Bannockburn until they really put the acid on me, and here I am five years down the track.
Riccardi confirmed Bannockburn had opted out of AFL Barwon’s modified season and training had been brought to a halt.
He said the Tigers will return to training in October to start preparing for 2021.
“We’ll go back early, and instead of training three nights a week, we’ll train two nights a week up until Christmas,” Riccardi said.
“Then we’ll adjust it and probably go three (nights) after Christmas for a 6-8 week period.
“We don’t have to hammer them straight up and get them fit in November.
“By the time we get to November, the boys will be up-and-about, and we should be able to start doing match simulation and getting our structures right, and hopefully go from there.”
Twitter: @tom_king79
