Interview with Marc
Brooks 1/4/09 by Bill O'Connor.
Bill Marc, how is the football season shaping up?
Marc It's going OK. We've been training since
November and our overall fitness is about the same as last year. Some that have
been injured are easing themselves into it.
Bill You missed most of last year. How are you
shaping up?
Marc I had Osteitis Pubis. I'm not
feeling any pain and I'm training well. I hope to regain the majority of my
fitness by Round 5.
Bill How are the numbers looking?
Marc Pretty good,
about 30 for most sessions. Shane Woods
has been training particularly well since November and Michael Hard is working extra hard and is in good shape. John Duckworth tells me that he is the fittest he has ever been.
Bill Who have we gained and lost since last year?
Marc We've gained Michael Thompson from
the backline match ups. We haven't lost anyone from our backline, so he may not
be needed there.
We've also gained Daniel Zoch from
Duckworth and Woods are virtual
pickups because they hardly played last year and both are very fit. We didn't
see much of Danny Nevill last year
because of a hamstring injury and he starred tonight. Dave Aiken was overseas for much of last year and he's raring to
go.
I would expect to see
and Dean Fulco play some senior games this year. Scott Williams is another good player to come out of last year's
Under 18 side.
Bill There are a number of new faces out on the
track
Marc A number of them are Army lads. They have
considerable work commitments so we haven't really seen much of them. A couple are
quite solid who may fit into the senior side.
Bill The senior coaching is a three way setup
with yourself, Michael Thompson and Shane Woods. How will it work?
Marc Both have been great support so far. Shane
Woods will direct the forward line, Thommo the backline and I will coordinate
the midfield. Work commitments will take me away more this year but Woodsy and
Thommo will step in easily. They are both very eager.
Bill Have
we covered the players lost from last year?
Marc We have the replaced the players lost, however
they are different types and will play different roles. New players bring new
challenges new directions and new enthusiasm. We hope the new guys give the
same spark that others gave.
Bill What's the game plan?
Marc Continuing with what we started last year. We
are a youthful team that will look to run and carry with the ball, moving it
quickly and skillfully. The values that I want to see in every game are to be
accountable, committed and disciplined.
Bill Do you have any input into the social plans of the Club and what happens
off the field?
Marc I do care. It is important that it be an
enjoyable place to be. Especially when things don't go our way on the field we
need to be able to relax and put it behind us. I would also like to see some
Sunday activities, maybe with some of our sponsors.
Bill How do you think the Seniors will go this year?
Marc We will be competitive and about on a par
with last year. I believe we are good enough to make finals but we need to be
committed and competitive at all times. Last year we let ourselves down a few
times and that cost us a finals spot. This year we have a comfortable draw
especially early on, so we should start well. If we stick to the game plan and don't get too many injuries, we can
make the top 5. That's our goal.
I'm trying to install the mentality
that a loss is not acceptable. If we are behind at half time then we need to
understand where we are having problems, fix it, and make a contest by doing
the right things.
Bill What would you like to say to our supporters?
Marc Back us as you do every week. It won't go
our way every week but your continued support is what will keep us all going.
Thommo, Woodsy and myself are going to give you what is expect from an Avenel
senior football team. So come along.
We have changes to our team and we are
going to give it our best shot.
Bill Tell us a little about your personal
background
Marc I spent all of my primary school years in
I first played football at age 14 and progressed to
At the age of 18 I joined the Army
and only played football sporadically. I spent 9 years in the Army before being
posted to Puckapunyal. I played 2 years in Euroa Reserves and then Avenel
approached me at the end of 2006.
It was a good opportunity to use my
Physical Trainer skills to help a struggling club go somewhere. This is my
third year and I've enjoyed every moment. I will have to take a transfer at the
end of this year.
Bill Tell us about your family
Marc I have a sister Bianca who works in
parents own the Seven Creeks Run woolshed at Euroa. It is used as a function
centre.
Dad likes to call himself an entrepreneur
but I say he does more thinking than doing. At
Commonwealth Bank.
My Mum is the workhorse of the family. She is
currently the Deli manager at
Thank you Marc.
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