By Troy Snow
When it comes to the Victorian Football League there is not much that newly appointed Sandringham assistant and reserves coach Mick Ablett hasn’t done.
He dominated the competition as a player with Frankston, winning four best and fairest awards before an early retirement where he headed over to America to be with his wife.
His playing days are now over but football is still a passion for Ablett who joined the Zebras this season much to the delight of the Sandringham Football Club.
“I just love football and I love being involved with the boys around the club,” Ablett said.
After returning to Australia in 2007 and playing a few seasons with brother-in-laws and friends he decided enough was enough and a simple phone call to former coach Brett Lovett changed his football career.
“I used to play under Brett at Frankston and he has been the biggest influence on my football career to date as a coach” he said.
“So naturally when he got the job at Sandy I called him to congratulate him on his success and then we had a little bit of a chat at where I was headed and here we are today.”
And he has not been let down given the responsibility to coach the Sandringham reserves side as well as an assistant to the seniors.
“It was a little bit of a shock to be given the reserves job but it is a real privilege that Brett and his team have the trust in me already to do that job” Ablett said.
“I have a great deal of respect for Brett and the way he goes about his coaching so I definitely will be taking anything he has to say on board and hopefully I can learn a lot off him.”
Ablett’s football knowledge cannot be questioned with four best and fairest awards with Frankston, twice representing the VFL, three times being named in the VFL team of the year, a year and a half at the North Melbourne Football Club and a pre season at Richmond.
Still at the tender age of 30 Ablett said he did consider long and hard whether he would continue to add to his decorated career but said the best decision had been made.
“It was a tough decision to decide to take on a coaching role but I am now very comfortable with my decision to do so” he said.
“Training with the boys on the Thursday nights does take away the itchy feet also” Ablett said with a laugh.
After playing most of his career at Frankston and quite arguably being one of Frankston’s most decorated players Ablett said the move from Frankston to Sandringham was not all bad.
“There were some great rivalries between the two clubs when I was a player” he said.
“I have a great amount of respect for Sandringham and always did as a player, but now I am apart of Sandringham and hopefully together as a club we can move forward.”
With Sandringham missing out of the finals for the past three seasons that is the aim for this season and Ablett has no doubt that is the direction the club is heading.
“The players have responded really well to Brett’s coaching style and they really have the desire to play for him and don’t want to let him down” Ablett said.
“He always gets the best out of his players and is a great mentor.”
While Ablett has just begun his coaching career and has ambitions to one day work full time in football the Sandringham faithful should enjoy the time while it lasts.
Last Modified on 18/05/2011 12:35