FORMER North Shore coach Jason Davenport will return to the AFL world after landing the job as GWS Giants’ head of development.
Davenport has most recently been coaching Oakleigh Chargers in the Victorian Talent League and heading up the Vic Metro Academy.
The 37-year-old’s football journey started with Ellinbank league club Nilma Darnum where he came under the notice of Geelong’s VFL program.
After starring with the Cats in 2006, Davenport was selected in the rookie draft ahead of the following year, playing in Geelong’s grand final win over Coburg Tigers and winning the Fothergill-Round Medal as the best young talent in the VFL.
He was elevated to the senior list in 2008 but was delisted without playing a game before joining Port Adelaide, where he played 28 games and kicked 29 goals in three seasons.
Davenport joined North Shore in 2014, coaching the club between 2015-17 before taking a development role at Carlton.
Following his coaching stint, he continued to play with the Seagulls and has racked up 92 games – including nine last year – and kicked 146 goals.
“We’re thrilled to appoint Jason as our new head of development,” Giants football boss Jason McCartney said.
“As part of our reviews of the 2022 season, this was a new role that was identified as being critical to the continued development of our football program.
“Jason comes to us with a great resume and a wealth of experience working with the best young talent in the country, and his remit will be to focus on the continued development of our players, particularly the first-to-fourth years.”
Davenport replaces Robbie Challenor, who was sacked last month after admitting to buying drugs in Sydney before Christmas.
Twitter: @krockfootball
