haydo
Premium Platinum
- Dec 23, 2006
- 15,595
- 26,807
- AFL Club
- Adelaide
Sumner, who guided Bendigo, has signed a two-year deal with the Giants, with an option for a third year.
Sumner says he realises it will be a tough road ahead steering the newest club on the block. We have a lot of 18-21 year old's in the side, but with the experience of some older players hopefully the load will come off a bit.
"I'm looking forward to what is going to be a huge challenge," he said.
"I've spoken to a number of players and they certainly haven't sugar coated it (it being the smashing's the club has taken over the past 2 years since it's existence."
Sumner is adamant that while his appointment does not suggest a long tenure, his time at the Giants will be about building for the future.
"These boys (Giants players) will know, over the next five to seven years, who their senior coaches will be," he said.
"It'll be me and then someone else and I think that's a huge plus for them."
Sumner's appointment is a massive coup for the Giants, who had a lot of candidates put their hand up for the role including Adam Simpson (who is now at West Coast), Leon Cameron, Brett Ratten and Mark Williams (who sensationally left the club to head to the Tigers after finding out the news)
Giants chairman Tony Shepherd says the club desperately wanted a coach from a winning culture to lay the platform for the next decade.
Sumner makes note of losing form
The Giants finished last on the ladder with only two wins to their name in 2013.
But Sumner says the manner of the club's many losses is a bigger concern than the sheer number.
"They're a two-win team and 56 per cent," he said.
"I think they're better than that, but the percentage is a bigger concern for me."