Brendan Whitecross - new role as an assistant coach (forwards)

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Went through some serious hardships with injury while his mates were winning flags.

Stuck around and kept giving it his all.

Excellent character to have around young players.

Top work, Euge :thumbsu:
 

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Sharing the knowledge
Mitchell Jones
Nov 14, 2018 12:30PM
141118_WhitecrossLarge.jpg

Brendan Whitecross believes he can share his experiences and learnings to help develop North Melbourne’s young brigade.

The former Hawk, who was appointed as a development coach and VFL player at Arden Street earlier this month, has already hit the ground running since beginning work on Monday.

“I’ve been appointed in a development role, so working a lot with the one-to-four-year players and pretty closely with the forwards in that category, as well as playing in the VFL side myself.” Whitecross told North Media.

“It’s pretty handy from my point of view to be able to develop my craft as a coach, but also be able to implement it out on the ground with the younger guys and be on the field to talk them through it at times.

“I’m pretty excited.”

Drafted to Hawthorn in 2007, Whitecross was part of one of the most successful dynasties in modern football, with the Hawks winning four premierships in just eight years.

His experiences affording the former forward a wealth of knowledge which he now wants to pass on.

“I think the one thing the Hawks have done over the years very, very well is that they’re very particular about how they do things, whether it be a structure, a setup, a running pattern or how to live an elite lifestyle, how you treat your body off-field and what you do away from the club,” he said.

“I think that’s the one thing that I noticed at the Hawks over 11 years, they focused on that pretty heavily.

“I hope to pass on those bits of information to the younger players and help develop them as elite athletes.”

The 28-year-old has been forced to overcome serious adversity during his career, suffering two ACL injuries in consecutive finals campaigns in 2012 and 2013.

With the likes of Paul Ahern overcoming similar troubles, and the likes of Declan Watson, Will Walker and Ed Vickers-Willis on the mend from respective knee injuries, Whitecross can guide them through.

“The things I’ve learnt from my journey is being able to build my resilience and mental side of footy, which is something that I’ll really bring to this group and pass on a bit of knowledge in that area,” he said.

“I’ll certainly give (the injured players) a lot of advice along the way because there’s nothing worse than spending time on the sideline through injury, especially long term injuries.

Whitecross has already been taken aback by the work-rate and talent of the young players who have commenced their pre-season training.

“They certainly didn’t hold back, it was pretty physical, they were straight into it and there’s certainly a lot of guys there that’s got some really good talent, and I’m really looking forward to being able to work with them and develop them as players with their mental side to the game as well as their skills and attributes.

“First impressions are really good, and it’s got me excited about where they can go in the next 12 months.”

Listen to the full interview with Brendan Whitecross here: [Someone else can insert this, but the link's on the club website]
 

Next season can’t come quick enough for North Melbourne’s newly appointed forward-line coach, Brendan Whitecross.


Whitecross’ promotion rounds out a dramatic and exciting coaching overhaul, with a raft of new faces bringing a wealth of experience and energy to Arden St.


The former Hawk veteran moved to North at the end of 2018, taking on a development coach role and says he’s excited about a new challenge.


“I’ve got a lot to learn but I couldn’t be more excited about the opportunity,” he told North Media.


“I’m still fresh to the coaching scene but to be given the opportunity to take over as an assistant coach next year is really exciting.


“Obviously it’s a big step up from the development side of things and playing in the VFL. Being more hands-on in a full-time coaching role, there’s plenty to learn so I’m coming in eyes wide open and it’s exciting times ahead.”


Whitecross said the energy Rhyce Shaw has brought to the club since being appointed head coach is second to none.


“After about three or four weeks of Rhyce taking the reins you could see the energy in the place really lift. Everybody got excited about what might be,” he said.


“Now that his role’s finalised and we’ve got the new appointments in the coaching group and some fresh faces with some fresh ideas, it’s certainly exciting for what we can achieve.


“Rhyce is bringing the clarity around coaches’ roles and expectations, and the clarity we’ve also been able to get to the players about what their roles look like.


“Next year we can really hone in and give the players a clear understanding about what we’re setting out to achieve and what their roles are. Once we start playing games it’s all set in stone, everyone knows what’s going on and we can all start rowing in the same direction.


“With all the planning that’s gone into place already, 2020 can’t come quick enough.”


Building meaningful relationships a key to Whitecross’s philosophy.


“The one thing I really loved as a player towards the end of my career was the relationships and building them, not just with senior players, but the younger guys at the club and also having relationships with coaches,” he continued.


“I think that’s a really big part of footy now, having the relationships and the trust, so that when a player needs to receive some feback or you need to give it as a coach, the trust is there that it’s coming from a good place.


“Relationships are really important to the foundation of the footy club and what we’re trying to achieve so that will certainly be an area that I will continue to work on and be a very strong part of my coaching plan.”


Whitecross’s appointment is the final piece of the puzzle in Shaw’s coaching department. The first year coach set to be surrounded by talented former players that have coached their own teams, ensuring a dynamic and vibrant mix for the players to thrive under.


“Our focus was to go after people who know how to play the game at the highest level, but also have a comprehensive understanding of what it takes to coach in their own right,” Shaw said.
 
Taking over from Leigh Tudor's role. Big shoes to fill.
Not really Tudor has had his day in the AFL new ideas new promise with Whitecross btw if early post mean something Loader survives surely this must his last chance if North VFL doesn’t play finals in 2020 must be sacked within the week of 2020 season ending.
But hay if that other joke Moore gets to keep his job then Loader must as well.
Thought this club was moving forward but if you want to keep members of the 3s Scott Simpleton squad then that won’t push this club forward.
 

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Next season can’t come quick enough for North Melbourne’s newly appointed forward-line coach, Brendan Whitecross.


Whitecross’ promotion rounds out a dramatic and exciting coaching overhaul, with a raft of new faces bringing a wealth of experience and energy to Arden St.


The former Hawk veteran moved to North at the end of 2018, taking on a development coach role and says he’s excited about a new challenge.


“I’ve got a lot to learn but I couldn’t be more excited about the opportunity,” he told North Media.


“I’m still fresh to the coaching scene but to be given the opportunity to take over as an assistant coach next year is really exciting.


“Obviously it’s a big step up from the development side of things and playing in the VFL. Being more hands-on in a full-time coaching role, there’s plenty to learn so I’m coming in eyes wide open and it’s exciting times ahead.”


Whitecross said the energy Rhyce Shaw has brought to the club since being appointed head coach is second to none.


“After about three or four weeks of Rhyce taking the reins you could see the energy in the place really lift. Everybody got excited about what might be,” he said.


“Now that his role’s finalised and we’ve got the new appointments in the coaching group and some fresh faces with some fresh ideas, it’s certainly exciting for what we can achieve.


“Rhyce is bringing the clarity around coaches’ roles and expectations, and the clarity we’ve also been able to get to the players about what their roles look like.


“Next year we can really hone in and give the players a clear understanding about what we’re setting out to achieve and what their roles are. Once we start playing games it’s all set in stone, everyone knows what’s going on and we can all start rowing in the same direction.


“With all the planning that’s gone into place already, 2020 can’t come quick enough.”


Building meaningful relationships a key to Whitecross’s philosophy.


“The one thing I really loved as a player towards the end of my career was the relationships and building them, not just with senior players, but the younger guys at the club and also having relationships with coaches,” he continued.


“I think that’s a really big part of footy now, having the relationships and the trust, so that when a player needs to receive some feback or you need to give it as a coach, the trust is there that it’s coming from a good place.


“Relationships are really important to the foundation of the footy club and what we’re trying to achieve so that will certainly be an area that I will continue to work on and be a very strong part of my coaching plan.”


Whitecross’s appointment is the final piece of the puzzle in Shaw’s coaching department. The first year coach set to be surrounded by talented former players that have coached their own teams, ensuring a dynamic and vibrant mix for the players to thrive under.


“Our focus was to go after people who know how to play the game at the highest level, but also have a comprehensive understanding of what it takes to coach in their own right,” Shaw said.
Is it just me or are there a few whacks for brad in that article? “Relationships” and building them. “Everyone knows what’s going on and we can all start rowing in same direction”
 
I'll never forget when B Dub (that's what me and my mates call him), debuted for Hawthorn. It was an Easter Sunday if my memory serves me correctly. I'll never forget it. I honestly thought it was a move by the Catholic Church to infiltrate the AFL. I mean, North Melbourne's own George Pell was at the peak of his powers back then & the Pope was recovering from ammonia. Even the genetic antibiotics weren't helping him. Like a lot of us, I was secretly hoping the Pope would succumb, so that Signor Pell would become the Holy Papa and take NMFC to the Holy Lands. Imagine playing a couple of home games at The Vatican each year - that's a licence to print money - not only in attendances & TV viewing, but the merchandise possibilities are endless. Like I have a set of blue & white rosary beads that I had blessed by Dean Laidley (AKA The Bible - because he was hard to read) which I take to every game. For our home games, I'll kneel alongside the players race & squeeze in a few Our Fathers, Hail Mary's and that, just before the players take the field. Who knows if it helps? But it can't hurt. There were a few games where I was burning some incest for the players to run through but I was advised by security that I needed a permit to have an exposed flame at Colonial Stadium. I wrote a letter to the custodians of Colonial Stadium back in 2002 applying for a permit, but no suprises, I'm still waiting for a response. It's got Ian Collins dirty greasy fangs written all over it.
 
Dont agree with his demotion but covid so what do you do

It was more who was kept imo but it is what it is.

The articulate considered guy with 4 years grand final / premiership squad intel struck as a higher priority than a couple of others but there you go.
 
It was more who was kept imo but it is what it is.

The articulate considered guy with 4 years grand final / premiership squad intel struck as a higher priority than a couple of others but there you go.
All the extra physios and s+c staff have worked a treat really keeping the squad fully fit...

Wish we kept more footy staff instead
 
All the extra physios and s+c staff have worked a treat realty keeping the squad fully fit...

Wish we kept more footy staff instead

Jona Segal was very confident in the Heath long form interview that all the players conditioning was top notch during the time off and they were well onto the return phase.

Would imagine that's where you start re accountability.
 

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