A coaching coup

The new brigade of leaders at Gembrook-Cockatoo for 2009 are assistant coach Ricky Clark, coach Travis Marsham and assistant Aussie Jones. Picture: Luke Plummer

By Brad Kingsbury
GEMBROOK-Cockatoo Football Club has secured a huge coaching coup with the appointment of three of the main architects of Narre Warren’s 2006-07 premierships as the Yarra Valley and Mountain District league club’s leaders for 2009.
Travis Marsham will coach the Brookers and be supported by ex-Magpie assistant Ricky Clark and dual premiership coach and former AFL star Austin Jones, who will both play.
And just to add the final touch of icing to a potentially delectable Gembrook-Cockatoo football cake, Clark’s champion forward twin brother Lee said on Sunday that he would meet club officials this week and was almost certain to join the trio.
Marsham spent this year as assistant coach under Jones with TAC Cup preliminary finalists Gippsland Power after the previous two seasons in a similar role with Casey Cardinia league powerhouse Narre Warren.
He started his coaching career with Morwell Under 18s in 2002 before coaching EDFL club Ellinbank for two seasons, making the preliminary final in 2005.
After Jones stepped aside from the Power position, Marsham considered taking a year off football, but was contacted by Brookers president Steve Goodie and decided to hear what the club had to say.
He was immediately impressed and said the dominoes quickly fell into place without much prompting from him.
“I had a bit of a look around but I didn’t apply to coach anywhere,” he said.
“The interview was based purely on me and I asked them to call Aussie and Rick as references, not as potential assistants.
“Aussie rang me and said he would do whatever I wanted him to. He even offered to be water boy at one stage,” he chuckled.
“Then Rick rang me and said let’s have a chat and it has gone from there.”
Marsham has been appointed for two seasons with an option for a third and said he was looking forward to guiding the predominantly young side up the ladder.
“I’ve done some research and it’s an improving competition dominated recently by Silvan with (Gary) Moorcroft and his Essendon connection,” he said. “There’s a bit of travel involved but the league is starting to get a bit of a name and it will be a good challenge.
“They’ve got some good kids and they’re probably just lacking a bit of direction.
“I was really impressed with the work they’ve done in the last four years. They’ve been working to a plan and now it’s time to go the next step. It’s a good fit all around,” Marsham said.
Jones, 31, who did not play this season, will make a comeback to the field and form part of a strong on-field leadership group with the Clark brothers and star Brooker ruckman Craig Clark and former AFL player Andrew Shipp. Craig and Andrew have both indicated that they will remain with the club in 2009.
Gembrook-Cockatoo will hold a meet the coach afternoon at the Clematis Hotel on Sunday 26 October at 3pm.