Matthew Egan is relishing what has been a busy season in his new role taking on the club’s Head of Development as well as the VFL Head Coach.
It’s a role that see’s him split his time working with the younger Bombers, but also after hours taking charge of the 25 VFL listed players.
Speaking as this week’s guest on Bombers Radio, Egan said he has loved the challenge.
“It’s a busy role, obviously doing the head of development during the day then it hits 5 o’clock and you start your next job,” Egan said.
“I’ve absolutely loved the VFL. I’ve done it before at Geelong for three years, so I knew what I was in for, but to really concentrate on being the head coach - I feel like I’ve grown as a person.
“I’m loving the opportunity to present more in front of the VFL group, create a culture in our own little club and bring everything back to the same things; trying to develop young players, try to get some players drafted out of the VFL and obviously try and produce wins when we put everything together.”
The balance between working with the AFL listed players and then the VFL is something Egan draws inspiration from.
“It’s a good balance. The guys during the day are probably coming straight out of school and actually haven’t had to work to earn a living so you try to educate them on what the real world looks like,” Egan said.
“Then you have the guys that come in after hours that get up at 5.30am work from 6am to 4.30-5pm, rush here then train here for four hours. They then go home and have dinner at 10pm then get up the next day at 5-5.30 for their jobs.
“I’ve got enormous amount of respect for those kinds of players that they’re so desperate to improve and work and provide for their families, whatever it is.
“I absolutely love working with those guys because it puts a bit of life in perspective, they’re desperate to make it, to get better and improve themselves.”
Names such as Daniel Coghlan, Ben McNiece, Aaron Heppell, Jack Langford and James Ferry are common names for the VFL and are getting reward this season after years of hard work with the Essendon program, becoming regular and key components of the side.
While Bruno Laguda, Nash Holmes, Chris Peart and James El Moussalli are among the debutants this season and have shown enough to suggest they will have bright futures.
The VFL Bombers have four wins and four losses and after a week off take on Sandringham tomorrow and Werribee before another bye.
Egan said it is a crucial block upcoming for the VFL but that he can’t look to far ahead.
“The VFL ladder is so close that a win here and there can make a huge difference. Last year, the second half of the season we finished off really strong so we hope to do the same again,” he said.
“I don’t try to look too far ahead with the playing group. I like to focus in on each game at a time and it doesn’t matter who you’re coming up against so this week is super important.
“We come up against Sandy (St Kilda’s affiliate), they’re a good team the last three to four years so I’m going to concentrate on Sandy, put the game plan in place for them and the worry about the games after that.”
Essendon take on Sandringham on Sunday at Trevor Barker Oval from 11.40am. The game will be broadcast live on Channel 7 for Victorian viewers. Interstate fans can watch live on mobile, tablet and PC via the PLUS7 Live app.
Egan touches on the development and growth of young Bombers including Patty Ambrose and Will Hams, the VFL coaching group and the chemistry between them and the guys who are making the most of a second chance.
