DEFENSIVE coach Brian Royal reflects on his football journey, which has seen him work at some of the game's most recognised grounds
OVER my football journey, I’ve been fortunate enough to work at a number of organisations.
I’ve spent my entire playing career at the Western Oval, now known as the Whitten Oval.
Back then, it was an antiquated stadium and environment.
After finishing as a player with the Bulldogs, I continued working there as an assistant coach.
Although it had a lot of character, it needed more than a fresh coat of paint, and now it’s become an elite training facility, following a redevelopment in recent years.
From there, I had my first stint at Melbourne.
Back then, we were at the Junction Oval. Again, there was plenty of history associated with the ground, but the environment wasn’t conducive to elite football.
At the time, that was the environment we had and we made the best of what we had. In fact, it sometimes shows that, regardless of the environment, you can still succeed, considering we made a grand final in 2000 while based at the Junction.
My next role was at the Kangaroos, where I was based at Arden St - another famous suburban football ground. Again, it was another antiquated facility.
The gymnasium was under one of the grandstands, and there were holes in the floor everywhere.
My next club was at Richmond, where I worked at the great Punt Rd Oval.
It was another ground steeped in tradition, yet run down at the time.
Last year, I was at Moorabbin with St Kilda.
Again, the Saints managed to play in three grand finals, so the venue certainly served its purpose. But it was an old, run down stadium.
It wasn’t ideal, but now St Kilda has a top class facility at Seaford.
It’s interesting to see that all of these facilities have either been redeveloped, or clubs like Melbourne and St Kilda have moved to new elite training venues.
Funding from the AFL, federal and state governments, plus funding from the respective clubs, has been significant in these clubs prospering with their facilities.
Now I’m back at Melbourne, I feel fortunate to work at AAMI Park - an outstanding, elite training environment.
It’s fantastic to see other elite sportspeople training in the same facility.
We’ve got a 50-seat theatre, our own office area and rooms with visual technology. We’ve got a swimming pool, plus hot and cold plunge pools for players to do their recovery.
It’s a really good environment, and to share it with Melbourne Storm and Melbourne Victory is a benefit.
Part of my role, as defensive coach, is to have an alignment with Melbourne Storm. It’s been beneficial organising meetings and training with coaches from other football codes.
For example, Storm can assist us with our tackling, and we can help them with kicking and marking - or catching.
When you’re walking the corridors of AAMI Park, you’re always picking the brain of fellow coaches, such as Craig Bellamy and Kevin Walters.
It’s a great environment to work in, not only for the players, but for the coaches.
OVER my football journey, I’ve been fortunate enough to work at a number of organisations.
I’ve spent my entire playing career at the Western Oval, now known as the Whitten Oval.
Back then, it was an antiquated stadium and environment.
After finishing as a player with the Bulldogs, I continued working there as an assistant coach.
Although it had a lot of character, it needed more than a fresh coat of paint, and now it’s become an elite training facility, following a redevelopment in recent years.
From there, I had my first stint at Melbourne.
Back then, we were at the Junction Oval. Again, there was plenty of history associated with the ground, but the environment wasn’t conducive to elite football.
At the time, that was the environment we had and we made the best of what we had. In fact, it sometimes shows that, regardless of the environment, you can still succeed, considering we made a grand final in 2000 while based at the Junction.
My next role was at the Kangaroos, where I was based at Arden St - another famous suburban football ground. Again, it was another antiquated facility.
The gymnasium was under one of the grandstands, and there were holes in the floor everywhere.
My next club was at Richmond, where I worked at the great Punt Rd Oval.
It was another ground steeped in tradition, yet run down at the time.
Last year, I was at Moorabbin with St Kilda.
Again, the Saints managed to play in three grand finals, so the venue certainly served its purpose. But it was an old, run down stadium.
It wasn’t ideal, but now St Kilda has a top class facility at Seaford.
It’s interesting to see that all of these facilities have either been redeveloped, or clubs like Melbourne and St Kilda have moved to new elite training venues.
Funding from the AFL, federal and state governments, plus funding from the respective clubs, has been significant in these clubs prospering with their facilities.
Now I’m back at Melbourne, I feel fortunate to work at AAMI Park - an outstanding, elite training environment.
It’s fantastic to see other elite sportspeople training in the same facility.
We’ve got a 50-seat theatre, our own office area and rooms with visual technology. We’ve got a swimming pool, plus hot and cold plunge pools for players to do their recovery.
It’s a really good environment, and to share it with Melbourne Storm and Melbourne Victory is a benefit.
Part of my role, as defensive coach, is to have an alignment with Melbourne Storm. It’s been beneficial organising meetings and training with coaches from other football codes.
For example, Storm can assist us with our tackling, and we can help them with kicking and marking - or catching.
When you’re walking the corridors of AAMI Park, you’re always picking the brain of fellow coaches, such as Craig Bellamy and Kevin Walters.
It’s a great environment to work in, not only for the players, but for the coaches.
