blueandwhite wrote:Im a rusted on Southie...Brad Gotch is by far the best coach that the club has had in my almost 60 yrs of following the club.
I am bitterly disappointed that he is leaving at this time, during his tenure our club has become a force to be reckoned with , a true competitor and no longer an easy beat. During his time our long suffering supporters have thought, at long last we are a chance to win that elusive flag in all 3 three years of his time, particularly in 2014 and the year just finished. Injury , inexperience and perhaps 1-2 players were the difference.
The man himself... well.. where do I begin..?...Im priveleged to say I know him reasonably well, he's a wonderful human being.
Heres an example of how he engages even the most humble of supporters who attend every week rain hail or shine... We played at Elizabeth , I think it was 2015, Im standing with a few mates on the terraces watching the last qtr of the reserves game.
All of a sudden someone bumps into me and says Gday, its Gotchy. I say gday and we exchange pleasantries... he asks who are these guys you are with, and I introduce them to him, all southies. We talk about the game about to commence in 20 minutes and he then proceeds to give us a run through the game plan with me and my mates; who are absolutely standing there open mouthed as the coach tells them that so and so is doing this, so and so will be doing this and this one will be +1 in defence, etc etc etc... He says goodbye and goes down and gives his final address to the playing group.
We won. After the game my buddies and I visit the rooms and Gotchy marches up to us, gives us hi 5's and says, now how do you think the game plan worked guys?? We say it worked pretty darn well!!! As we walk out to the carpark my mates are shaking their heads...and say things like.."how f----n good was that!", " Who wouldnt want to play for him..?"
A great man, a great coach and clearly a great communicator. Personally I wish him all the very best in his future endeavors , and hope he does well. I know his reasons for returning to Melbourne, and while a position with and AFL club is great, its far from being the main reason I assure you.
Best of luck Brad.
So what is his main reason for leaving?
Lack of funds at South or has he had a falling out?
