SOUTH Barwon has cast an eye to the future as it unveiled its coaching structure for 2021, adding current players Andrew Boseley and Jay Lever to roles for next year.
Star forward Boseley will be the Swans’ senior playing assistant, while key defender Lever will be a playing development coach.
Dave Farrell has been appointed as senior coach for a third season, with Adam Perus, Wayne Amos and Mitch Troy continuing as non-playing assistants .
“Our list has a really good balance of experienced and developing players,” Farrell said.
“With 50 per cent aged 22 or younger we feel investing further in them now will pay dividends for a long time to come.
“Both Andrew and Jay’s experience, their standing at our club, and the relationships they have with these guys makes me really confident it’s a great fit.”
For former Hawthorn rookie Boseley, it continues his evolution since Farrell joined the Swans at the end of 2017.
“I spoke to ‘Faz’ about my ambitions not long after he came to the club,” Boseley said.
“I think just being at the footy club for a while and being a little bit older, I had a little bit to give to the playing group and shared my thoughts.
“And that morphed into becoming more hands-on in a few different decisions, which morphed into a bit of a coaching role.
“I was probably doing a little bit of stuff behind the scenes last year, but (it will) be more of a formal capacity this year, which I’m really looking forward to.”
Lever, who spent two years with St Kilda in 2012-13, is keen to be involved in coaching once his playing days are over.
“My background is footy, and I’d love to be able to share my knowledge with the juniors and the young men and women coming through the ranks, and hopefully get the best out of them,” he said.
Boseley and Lever may not have to wait long for to share their expertise, with South Barwon confirming on Wednesday afternoon it will be part of AFL Barwon’s plans for a modified season.
Twitter: @tom_king79
