THE NEW COACHING group, led by senior coach Mark Neeld, has been a refreshing change, according to big man Stef Martin.
With Neeld’s ‘clean slate’ mentality, Martin said it had benefitted him and several others.
“Everyone has got a clean slate, and that won’t suit everybody, because some people had a good reputation last year and prior,” he told melbournefc.com.au.
“But it’s a healthy thing that everyone starts from square one again, and can prove themselves to the whole coaching group.
“That’s been reflected in the whole group. We’ve been training well, and everyone has been training hard and trying to impress.”
Martin said Neeld had been a positive influence on his game. He said the former Collingwood assistant coach had been upfront, but personable with his approach.
“I’ve had a couple of catch ups, and he’s been really good,” Martin said.
“He listens to what you say and he’s not trying to be this big scary coach - he’s just a good bloke. He listens to what you have to say, and he expects you to do the same to him.
“So there is mutual respect … but he’s happy to hang some s*** on me.”
Martin said forward line coach Leigh Brown and his assistant Paul Satterley had also been strong mentors over the pre-season, along with another versatile tall, Jade Rawlings.
“The two forward coaches who I work with - Browny and Satts - they’ve been great,” he said.
“Also, Jade Rawlings has been taking a keen interest in a few of the tall guys. He’s been helping us with contested marking and marking around the ground. That’s been really good, because he’s the backline coach, and the fact that he’s shown interest in us has been great.”
Meanwhile, Martin said he was excited by the prospect of being led by the two Jacks - Grimes and Trengove - and the revamped leadership group.
“I think the key is that the guys who aren’t in there are still seen by us as leaders of the club, as well as the official leadership group,” he said.
“Those guys have been really good - they’ve given all of their support to the new leadership group.
“Hopefully, it means that we’ve got more leaders at the club.”
With Neeld’s ‘clean slate’ mentality, Martin said it had benefitted him and several others.
“Everyone has got a clean slate, and that won’t suit everybody, because some people had a good reputation last year and prior,” he told melbournefc.com.au.
“But it’s a healthy thing that everyone starts from square one again, and can prove themselves to the whole coaching group.
“That’s been reflected in the whole group. We’ve been training well, and everyone has been training hard and trying to impress.”
Martin said Neeld had been a positive influence on his game. He said the former Collingwood assistant coach had been upfront, but personable with his approach.
“I’ve had a couple of catch ups, and he’s been really good,” Martin said.
“He listens to what you say and he’s not trying to be this big scary coach - he’s just a good bloke. He listens to what you have to say, and he expects you to do the same to him.
“So there is mutual respect … but he’s happy to hang some s*** on me.”
Martin said forward line coach Leigh Brown and his assistant Paul Satterley had also been strong mentors over the pre-season, along with another versatile tall, Jade Rawlings.
“The two forward coaches who I work with - Browny and Satts - they’ve been great,” he said.
“Also, Jade Rawlings has been taking a keen interest in a few of the tall guys. He’s been helping us with contested marking and marking around the ground. That’s been really good, because he’s the backline coach, and the fact that he’s shown interest in us has been great.”
Meanwhile, Martin said he was excited by the prospect of being led by the two Jacks - Grimes and Trengove - and the revamped leadership group.
“I think the key is that the guys who aren’t in there are still seen by us as leaders of the club, as well as the official leadership group,” he said.
“Those guys have been really good - they’ve given all of their support to the new leadership group.
“Hopefully, it means that we’ve got more leaders at the club.”
