NEW BACKLINE coach Jade Rawlings says he “is a better footy person” for having experienced life as an interim senior AFL coach and having coached in a non-traditional football state.

Rawlings coached Richmond for half a season in 2009, following the departure of then coach Terry Wallace. He had been a member of Richmond’s coaching panel from 2007-09, which included coaching Coburg in the VFL.

After the Tigers appointed Damien Hardwick as senior coach, Rawlings was snapped up by the Brisbane Lions. He spent the 2010-11 seasons with the Lions. 

Originally from Devonport in Tasmania, Rawlings played 116 matches with Hawthorn from 1996-2003, before shifting to the Western Bulldogs, where he added 29 games and kicked 32 goals from 2004-05. His final AFL season was with the Kangaroos in 2006, which included three appearances and two goals.

Rawlings then moved into coaching in 2007 and was in the top job at Richmond for the second half of 2009.

“I was fortunate enough to coach AFL for 11 weeks and it was full-on, but I really enjoyed it,” he said.

“To come out of that and move to a non-footy state was a good challenge, but I thoroughly enjoyed it, although it wasn’t overly successful as far as wins.

“But I feel as though I’m a better footy person for my time in Brisbane, and I leave there with a lot of good friends and good experiences, which I think will serve me well.”

Rawlings said he was taken with Neeld’s “enthusiasm and professionalism”.

“It’s very exciting to be involved with Melbourne. I’ve really enjoyed my dealings with Mark Neeld so far, and all the other staff,” he said.

“I’ve spoken to a few people in the last week or so when dealing with the club, and the enthusiasm and professionalism is something that has really caught my attention.

“So I was very keen to get involved.”

Rawlings said he was “passionate and pretty full on” about coaching, and already had a good feel for the Melbourne defence. 

“I’m very passionate about what I do. I’ve watched the Melbourne back line quite closely a few times and I think the previous coaches have done a good job with them,” he said.

“There is some real talent, and the players there are going to have good, long sustainable careers.

“I walk into a group which understands what it takes to be a defender at an elite level, and I’m going to work closely with what Mark’s expectations are in that area.

“I give everything of myself to the job, so the players will know me pretty well and know what I stand for. From there, the proof will be in how they perform.”

Rawlings has a connection with several Melbourne personnel.

He was coached by Chris Connolly, when he was the reserves coach at Hawthorn. Rawlings also knows Todd Viney well, and has completed a coaching course with Josh Mahoney.

During his days at North Melbourne, he worked with Tim Harrington, while he spent time with Barry Prendergast when he coached Werribee in the VFL. Rawlings said he had also met Cameron Schwab a few times.

“It makes it a bit easier when you walk into a place and there are some familiar names straightaway,” Rawlings said.