By David Nagel
It’s no surprise to those who know him – but Lachie Gillespie departs the Tooradin-Dalmore senior coaching role as the same humble man that took on the job at short notice almost a decade ago.
The affable Gillespie coached his last game for the Seagulls against Warragul Industrials in the elimination final at Inverloch on Saturday, ending a journey that included the ultimate joy of a drought-breaking premiership win in mid-September last year.
His record concludes at 144 games, with 74 wins, 68 losses and two draws, since he took over from Andrew Clarke for his first game in round 10 of the 2014 Casey Cardinia Football League (CCFL).
The CCFL would the following year become the South East Football Netball League (SEFNL), with the likes of Beaconsfield, Berwick, Cranbourne, Narre Warren and Pakenham making life difficult for their smaller siblings from out of town.
Gillespie’s record in the CCFL/SEFNL stood at 20 wins, 52 losses and one draw…from 73 games at the helm.
“I just feel lucky that the club stuck with me for 10 years, because there were times in Casey Cardinia, slash SEFNL, where things weren’t going so well, were they,” Gillespie said with a wry smile.
“I’m very disappointed right now, because I’m competitive and like to win, but I’m feeling very thankful for the opportunity to coach this footy club.
“To be honest, there’s also a slight feeling of relief, because you don’t know when the end is, but now you do know…so that’s a nice feeling.
“I’m also very thankful for the love and support, and it’s moments like this when I do feel very lucky to have so many people around me.”
Gillespie’s last game in charge, just like the season, was a roller-coaster ride.
“We started really well, we won our own footy, but I think they started to get it on the outside a little bit,” he said.
“Our inside was winning, but the outside eventually hurt us.
“We let them get a few goals because we didn’t adjust quickly enough.
“Full credit to them in the last quarter, they got momentum with the breeze and we couldn’t quite snuff out the flame.
“We didn’t have the ability to shut it off and get some slow play.”
A clash between defenders Dylan Paarlberg and Adam Galea, mid-way through the second quarter, also threw the proverbial spanner in the works.
“That was crazy, huge, because not only was it bad for our backline, but obviously for all our rotations as well,” Gillespie explained.
“It changes everything and you really have to think on your feet.
“We go in with plans A and B, but it’s not often two blokes come out of the game at the same time.
“We tried to adjust as best we could, but then you lose something from other parts of the ground as well.
“Maybe it took until the last 10 minutes to hurt us, because a few boys probably couldn’t rest when they needed to.”
The season as a whole, was also a hell of a journey.
“It was a roller-coaster ride that’s for sure,” he said.
“Like every rollercoaster, you love it because of the adrenaline, but at the same time sometimes we were in fear.
“The old nerve-endings are a little bit frazzled at the moment, but it’s just been a season of momentum shifts for us and never really finding a good foothold.
“We won most games, but we never really felt like we clicked into a good gear I guess.”
Gillespie’s record in the WGFNC more than balances out his earlier days as coach, with 54 wins, 16 losses and one draw, including the club’s first premiership since 1997.
“I’m very proud of we achieved last year, but I’m just amazed that I was given that opportunity in the first place,” he said.
“I know I’ve worked hard…but I still feel very lucky.
“I feel lucky, but most lucky and proud of the people that I’ve met…that’s the best thing.”
Gillespie will now hand over to Jordan Kelly, the captain he stood alongside on the premiership dais last year.
“He is the perfect fit, his history is similar to mine, a carbon copy, but a better version I guess,” Gillespie said.
“A young guy with a great footy brain, who cares about the club, lives in Tooradin, and wants to keep getting better, and he’s got all those young guys now that will come along for the ride.
“He’s a new voice, a younger voice…so it’s exciting times ahead.
“I’m super-rapt for Jordy, the group, and the club…I think they’re in a great position moving forward.”
