Dom Gleeson has much to be proud of during his tenure as coach of Torquay.
Three premierships from six grand finals appearances and a 76 per cent win-loss record across ten seasons justifies that pride.
However, as Gleeson prepares to become the first coach in the 55-year history of the Bellarine league to coach 200 games, his reflections are more of a proud dad than a football coach.
“I get a little bit emotional about just seeing them grow as people,” Gleeson said.
“Everyone’s proud of the premiership, and that’s the measurement that we get held accountable to.
“But it’s the growth in these blokes in 12 years. I’ve seen Nathan Mifsud, Sheldon Ham, and Chad Grossman come through together.
“I remember going down and watching them in under-12s and under-14s, so seeing them now as genuine senior players, I just love seeing their growth.
“And seeing blokes going from ratbags to really great fathers, from single men to married men. I love it.
“I’ve seen people start their apprenticeship careers as builders and in the trades, and now they own their own business.
“So I’ve seen a fair bit. They’re the things I’m proud of.”
Gleeson arrived at Spring Creek Reserve in late 2014, fresh from a 197-game VFL career, which included a then-record 137 appearances for Werribee and winning the 2012 premiership with Geelong.
Speaking to K rock Football prior to his milestone match, with the Tigers hosting Ocean Grove, the 43-year-old surprisingly admitted to some reservations about his coaching ability.
“I was always concerned as a playing coach that I had not much to offer just as a coach,” Gleeson said.
“So that was the major hurdle for me, and probably why I kept playing. Because I felt I could still influence out on the ground.
“I always thought – and this is naivety of not being a coach having only been an assistant (coach) playing, that the only influence I could really genuinely have is on field.
“And you know, it’s the last four years since I’ve been non-playing, I can understand the influence coaches can have – on the boundary line and just by simply sitting with the player or talking to the playing group.
“That was my biggest hurdle.”
Gleeson made 107 appearances for Torquay, retiring after the 2022 grand final loss to Torquay.
While playing, his ability to delegate to his assistant coaches ensured he was able to impact on the field, highlighted by sharing the Ash Medal with Modewarre ruck John Meesen in 2019.
That delegation continues, keeping Gleeson fresh to tackle each new year, while also ensuring his players don’t get tired of his messaging.
“Aaron Nesbitt, Stuart Hill, Ben Kennedy. Pete Raidme, just phenomenal people, no egos, and would do anything that the club asked them to do,” he said.
“What’s kept me fresh is the list rejuvenation every year, and the ability to change game styles, and that’s what refreshes the coaching group and myself with the new message.
“So, not getting too stagnant in that.
“And also talking to anyone in football. I think it’s like panning for gold. You can get little speckles of gold anywhere.
“I’m fortunate, I’ve got a pretty wide network, and when you call people and chat to them, you get some good ideas.
“Some work. Some are brilliant, some aren’t. I think that’s probably the main reason why I keep going.”
Out of contract at the end of this year, Gleeson says discussions about a new deal for 2027 will ramp up following the clash with the Grubbers, with all signs pointing to a 13th year in charge.
“We’re probably waiting for this weekend to be over, and I think just for stability-wise and direction-wise, the players need to know,” he said.
“Players start to think about certain things mid-year. Whether they play again, whether they want to live in Melbourne, or whether they chase another job interstate.
“Having the coach appointed, or signed early, generally helps list management. We’ve always come to terms pretty early in the season, never let it run out.
“In regard to my appetite, it’s interesting. I don’t want to use this as a sales pitch, but I’m as excited about rocking up to training as I was day one.
“And I think it’s because of the new group. You get a winning culture. You want that feeling of winning every week.”
X: @krockfootball
