Join the great coach shuffle, it’s …

By Paul Pickering
AS ONE of the few mainstays in the VFL coaching fraternity, Brad Gotch could appreciate the irony of his appointment as Casey Scorpions coach last week.
Gotch stayed off the coaching merry-go-round during his eight-year tenure with Williamstown, but last week became part of a bizarre job swap with outgoing Scorpions mentor Peter German.
German’s appointment effectively forced Gotch out of Burbank Oval a fortnight ago, only for the long-time Seagulls coach to score the top job at Casey Fields.
When questioned on the topic this week, Gotch could afford to laugh at the nature of his chosen profession.
“That’s just the way it goes sometimes,” he said.
Gotch previously coached the Springvale Scorpions to the 1996 VFL flag during his two-year stint at Newcomen Road, before guiding Williamstown to a premiership and six finals appearances between 2002 and 2009.
His two-year deal with Casey includes an AFL development role at Melbourne. “I’m really excited about the prospect of going back to my old club,” Gotch said.
“And also the fact that Melbourne’s on the rise, so I’ve got a chance to create some sort of history in both (roles).
“The facilities are great (at Casey Fields) and the players still seem to be playing with that spirit that I remember the Springvale Scorpions for.”
That feeling of belonging was the intangible factor in Gotch’s decision to accept the Casey job.
He interviewed for the senior coaching role at Coburg, made it through to the last two candidates and was asked to present his case last Wednesday night. But he accepted the Scorpions job that afternoon.
“I just felt more comfortable (at Casey) and it was probably a better fit,” he explained.
“So I decided to accept it and not sit for the other interview.”
Scorpions general manager Brian Woodman said Gotch’s VFL and AFL experience made him stand out among the select group of candidates targeted by the club after German’s shock departure.
Woodman said Gotch’s knowledge of the VFL landscape should also allow a smooth transition into the role. “We’re pleased to have some stability in that we’re not throwing in a rookie or celebrity coach,” he explained.
“We’ve got a very high-calibre coach who’s going to continue to develop our group.”
That promising group will be further bolstered by Melbourne’s stockpile of high picks at next month’s AFL draft, so Gotch is optimistic about the future.
He’s also keen to put the past behind him; grateful for the opportunity to coach again and confident that he still has plenty to offer at VFL level.
“I thought I probably coached the best I ever have this year,” he reflected.
“We finished on top of the ladder again, then all of a sudden I’m on the scrapheap.
“But I could understand and accept it, because it was probably a hard choice for Willy – deciding when the right time was for me to go.”
The Scorpions, having gone through six senior coaches during Gotch’s tenure at Williamstown, would surely love to be facing that same dilemma in eight years’ time.