A taste of senior coaching last season was the catalyst for Matthew Egan to take on the role as Essendon’s VFL coach in 2016.
Egan took the senior coaching reigns of the Bombers for the final three games of 2015 following James Hird’s departure from the club.
Speaking on SEN’s VFL Show on Thursday night, Egan said the small sample at the helm of his own team made him realise how much he had to learn.
“I didn't think I was going to be a head coach or even have aspirations to be a head coach, with my personality I thought maybe it wasn't for me,” he said.
“When I got the opportunity to be head coach it gave me a little taste and I realised I still had so much to learn, not only in managing people but with my messaging.
“Everything from your voice control in meetings to being hard on players. There was such a variety of things and I thought it (the VFL role) was my next progression as a coach.”
The former All-Australian centre half-back played 59 games for Geelong before a foot injury late in 2007 ended his playing career.
Having spent three years in player development and another four years as a senior line coach, the 32 year-old saw a chance to further develop his credentials.
“It was something I thought long and hard about,” Egan said.
“Especially after Woosha (John Worsfold) came on board, I thought what a great opportunity to learn off someone that I have never even met.
“There is only two head coaches at the club, one is VFL and one is AFL, so I thought I’d get to be in his back pocket as much as possible and learn off him.
“The other thing was the staff that was already there from last year, we had three VFL coaches all get an opportunity to be head coach last year and working with those guys was something I was really excited about.”
The experience of coaching at VFL level is a common path for AFL senior coaches with the likes of Alastair Clarkson, Ross Lyon, Alan Richardson and Brendon Bolton among those who plied their trade at the state level prior to their senior appointments.
The circumstances around Essendon’s 2016 season has given Egan and his VFL coaching team of Paul Corrigan, Mark Corrigan and Dan Jordan their share of challenges.
“It’s been a pretty interesting preseason I must admit,” Egan said.
“The team is constantly changing and we have got a lot of the new guys that we didn't get much of a chance to play through the preseason because they were getting an opportunity in the AFL.
“By the time round one came around it was our first opportunity to play together. It’s going to take time and as the season goes on hopefully we will get better.”
The VFL Bombers lost their opening encounter against Werribee but bounced back with an 85-point win over North Ballarat in round two.
“We have a pretty young VFL list, but depending on what happens in the AFL we are getting experienced players that aren't getting opportunity,” Egan said.
“So we have some experienced heads around the young guys which works really well.”
Essendon’s VFL side will be in action against Collingwood at the Magpies spiritual home of Victoria Park from 2.10pm on Sunday.
Like the Bombers, the Pies come into the contest even on the win-loss ledger following a victory over Port Melbourne, but going down to the Casey Scorpions.
“They have a really good talented midfield and they play similar to how Collingwood AFL play, they press the ground really tight and take the game on with the ball,” Egan said.
“It will be interesting, they are coached really well. I think it will be a great game and a great spectacle on a big game on Sunday.”
The Anzac Day eve match will be broadcast live on channel seven from 2pm, or you can follow all the action via the Bombers VFL twitter - @EssendonVFL.
