IF A TEAM of the century coaching panel was assembled, George Stone would be an automatic lock in.
Sounds folly?
If assuming the criteria included the best coaching assistant – as part of the coaching staff – Stone would be a clear winner.
For the record, he has been part of six VFL/AFL premierships.
That’s a remarkable achievement in anyone’s language.
In fact, just two men in VFL/AFL history have coached six premierships or more: Collingwood’s Jock McHale and Melbourne’s Norm Smith.
McHale has eight flags to his name (1917, 1919, 1927-28-29-30 and 1935-36) and Smith six (1955-56-57, 1959-60 and 1964). It must be noted that McHale is credited with the 1930 premiership by the AFL, despite a severe bout of flu preventing him from coaching on Grand Final day.
McHale and Smith are officially legends of the game, recognised in the Australian Football Hall of Fame for their extraordinary feats.
But it’s hard to envisage any other person who has been involved in as many premierships as an assistant coach and/or coaching panel member as Stone.
This week, after 31 consecutive seasons involved in the VFL/AFL – and 29 at the highest level (in 1984-85 he was an assistant coach for Hawthorn in the under 19s) – Stone announced his retirement.
For the man in his “early 60s”, Stone said it was simply the right time, after a “fortunate journey” in the game.
He said with Melbourne’s coach-in-waiting Simon Goodwin now locked in, after Paul Roos finishes up as coach at the end of the 2016 season, it was an appropriate moment.
Still, no one could begrudge a person who has given his all for more than three decades as a coach – and since the 1960s as a player (he captained Hawthorn’s under 19s and played almost 200 matches in the VFA, now VFL).
But make no mistake, Stone’s absence from Melbourne – and the game – is a loss. Although it will be interesting to see how long he remains retired, given his love of the game is as strong as ever.
The reason he is much-admired throughout the football industry is because he is quite simply, a genuine person.
There is no bull**** with him.
He’s a people person. He can impart his knowledge simplistically and effectively. He commands respect and he calls it as he sees it.
He does it in a manner that is respectful and with empathy.
His father-figure nature and guiding ways are incredibly underrated in today’s football landscape.
And he’s still as sharp as a tack with his football nous.
I first met George in the early 2000s when he was at Hawthorn at a Draft Camp in Canberra. He was personable and each year at the Camp – and whenever our paths crossed during the year – he was always engaging and happy to share his knowledge. I always found him a wealth of football knowledge, with a pragmatic side.
It was no surprise to see him such a loved figure at two of the most successful clubs of the modern era: Hawthorn and the Sydney Swans.
When he joined Melbourne, I knew the red and blue had a ripper.
Although he has only been with the Demons for one season – the door is open for him to return in some capacity in the future – he made an impact with the players, coaches, administration and board members.
Not too many people can walk away with half a dozen flags to their name and it’s a credit to his character that he chooses his own exit from the game.
George isn’t one for the limelight, although he’s happy to play his part if it happens to be in the best interest of the club.
It would have been fascinating to see him in the top job.
He never craved or sought it. But does he regret it?
“It’s not something I regret. Not getting the opportunity – I don’t regret that either,” he said.
“I’ve been in the backroom and that’s where I’ve fitted in and where I’ve felt most comfortable. It’s not something I’ve given a lot of thought to.
“I’ve been really fortunate to be at two great clubs – Hawthorn and Sydney – but I’ve just enjoyed the football environment. As much as I’ve enjoyed it at Sydney and Hawthorn, I’ve enjoyed it at Melbourne just as much, because it’s the people that you meet along the way and you make great friendships.”
Stone said he had always been “a blue collar coach” – he never played a senior VFL/AFL match – but he was “stoked” to receive a lifetime achievement award from the AFL Coaches Association last year. And he has relished the opportunity to work with senior coaches, including the “legendary” Allan Jeans, Paul Roos, John Longmire, Alan Joyce, Rodney Eade, Ken Judge and Peter Schwab.
Ultimately, he said his secret to coaching was his love of the game.
“I love seeing young players improve and reach their potential,” he said.
“You get such satisfaction out of young blokes reaching their goals – and it’s some of the highlights of their lives – and that’s something I’ve always valued. I’ve been involved in six premierships and they create lifelong friendships.
“I’ve always tried to get young guys to be the best they possibly can.”
But in terms of why he was a success as a coach, he pointed towards sheer hard work.
“If clubs are successful, you get a lot more latitude,” he said.
“I’ve been lucky to be at successful clubs and to learn off the good coaches, which has always held me in good stead, in regards to my philosophies on footy.
“I haven’t got the answer other than to say I’ve worked pretty hard to be a good footy coach.”
Stone’s work with several players is legendary.
He played a massive role in Jason Dunstall’s career – the game’s third greatest goalkicker behind Tony Lockett and Gordon Coventry.
“I put a lot of time in with him outside of hours. He’d be kicking for goal and I did a lot of that – kicking the ball back from over the fence,” he said.
“We worked together for a long period of time and that’s been fantastic as well.”
He was later credited for much of Tadhg Kennelly’s success, transforming the Gaelic footballer into a premiership player with the Swans in 2005. In fact, Stone labels Kennelly’s progression as one of his proudest moments.
He was also “blessed” to have worked with the likes of Paul Kelly and Adam Goodes. Equally, he was delighted to see the progress of Dom Tyson in 2014 and work closely with the likes of Jack Watts.
But ask him for the best footballer he has seen and it’s hard to get an answer.
“It’s hard, because you’re going to offend too many,” Stone said.
“You can pick four or five out, but you’ll offend the rest, so I’ll prefer not to offend the rest.
“I think I have got my four of five favourites, but I might keep that for the book,” he added with a laugh.
And it’d be well worth a read.
Although the door has been left ajar for a possible comeback, Stone has set his sights on travel for the immediate future. And then after that it’s a case of wait and see.
“I said to Roosy, I’ve never been to Vegas, so I’m going there and to Hawaii for a couple of weeks. I’ll take a deep breath and then try and organise a bit of travel to keep me busy, so I don’t get the footy bug straight away,” he said.
“I’m sure I’m going to miss it – it’s something I’ve done for 30 years, so I’m sure I’m going to miss it. How long I’ll stay away from it – or if I can stay away from it – it’ll be something new and a new challenge. But I’ll be home a bit more often.
“It’s been great, but I hope the journey’s not over. If it is, I’m happy and I can go away happy.”
Either way, congratulations on an outstanding career are in order.
