Teaching colleagues will become coaching partners in 2027, with Drysdale gun Jack Jenkins joining East Geelong as co-coach alongside incumbent Ned Aulsebrook.
Jenkins, who made the last of his 187 senior appearances for the Hawks yesterday (Saturday), has signed a two-year deal with the Eagles.
The 31-year-old says discussions with Aulsebrook, who he teaches alongside at Iona College in the Year 7 cohort, have been ongoing for several weeks.
“I think Ned and I probably spoke six weeks ago,” Jenkins told K rock Football.
“It took me a long time to (decide to) want to leave a place like Drysdale – I wrestled with it for a long time, but ultimately made the decision.
“Ned and I’ve had a few conversations about footy last year and even this year about what it potentially looked like and if I was keen on something a little bit different.”
After 13 seasons at Mortimer Oval, Jenkins, who finished runner-up in the Hawks best-and-fairest, admits telling Drysdale coach Ben Carmichael that he was departing wasn’t easy.
“It was bloody difficult, to be honest… (I)struggled with that,” Jenkins said. “But he was really good about it as well and said it’s a really good opportunity for me moving forward.
“I’ve been backline coach there for three years under him, and he gave me that opportunity.
“So he was happy for me to spread my wings and do something else.”
After three years in the role, Aulsebrook, who joined East from Bellarine club Barwon Heads, has welcomed the chance to share the load.
He said that mid-season discussions with Eagles football boss Michael O’Leary led him to approach Jenkins.
“We thought it was potentially time for a fresh look over the group and a fresh voice, whilst also trying to maintain a little bit of continuity,” Aulsebrook said.
“We’ve had the same messaging for the past three years, and it’s working really, really well. We just wanted to freshen it up a little bit.
“And the other side of it is that it’s a big job, and I thought it was probably time for someone to jump in and give me a hand.”
East Geelong president Dan Payne says the club is pleased to have some short-term certainty.
“You always want to lock away your players and your coach for multiple years, so a two-year deal is unbelievable,” he said.
The Eagles, who defeated Werribee Centrals yesterday (Saturday) to snatch the double chance, will face the Centurions again in next week’s qualifying final.
X: @krockfootball
