When it comes to finals footy, there are few better to have in your corner than Max O'Halloran. Twice an AFL Cairns premiership player-coach with North Cairns and once more as head coach of Cairns Saints in 1995 – the VFL veteran knows how to win a flag.
Now back in the Saints fold as coaching director, his club will go in as red-hot favourites for a historic fourth straight flag in the AFL Cairns grand final against Manunda tomorrow. Once again the red, black and white have cruised through the regular season, only to peak at the perfect time.
"They seem to always come good around September; they manage their personnel really well and to their credit become the team to beat once finals come around," North Tigers coach Kane Richter said, marvelling more than whingeing.
But the Footscray and Carlton old boy, insists there is no secret formula for September success.
"There is no tonic for it," he laughed. "I know people always say that Saints come good at the back end but honestly it’s just all about managing your injuries and trying to get that full-strength line-up on the park for finals."
He said his role was simply to assist head coach James Coatsworth on game day and provide a set of eyes from the sideline when needed. But his value to the squad suddenly skyrockets when finals arrive.
"All I’ve got left is experience so I just try and spend some time with the young boys; make them aware of where they need to be, who their opponents are and what their roles are," he said.
Word from within the club is that "Maxy" is also required to give any new girlfriends the nod of approval.
"I’m lucky they like me," he laughed. And they respect Jimmy (Coatsworth). He’s a great coach, a great bloke and you can take a lot from the way he trains and presents himself each week."
Read more at http://www.cairns.com.au/article/2011/09/16/182531_local-sport-news.html
Courtesy of The Cairns Post.
Last Modified on 16/09/2011 08:43