Andrew Stenson Interview

Friday 13th July

The following interview was done just before the come-back win over Forest Hill. Andrew has been assistant to Peter Forsyth this season, and took on sole coaching of the side in Peter's absence for the Glen Waverley Hawks and Ferntree Gully Eagles games. I hope you enjoy this interview.

Chris Mirtschin: Can you tell us a bit about your football history, which teams you’ve played with from your junior years onwards, what are the highlights so far etc?

Andrew Stenson: Began playing footy for Forest Hill at 8 or 9. Played with them until Under 12’s and moved to Vermont to play Under 14’s. Played right through to Seniors winning Under 16’s, 18’s Reserve and Senior Premiership flags.

Along the way, spent a year and half at Hawthorn Under 19’s and represented Metropolitan in the Under 18’s Carnival. I moved up the bush and played in the Mid-Murray League (Swan Hill) where I finished my career after a serious head injury whilst representing the League in an Inter-League game.

Coaching wise, I spent 3 years in the assistant roles at Blackburn, culminating as Assistant Coach winning the Division 2 flag enabling Blackburn to progress to 1st Division. The past three years, I coached the Under 14’s 15’s and 16’s at the JETS Junior FC, with the highlight being the Under 14’s Premiership and the development of these kids.

CM: How have you found the assistant coaching role to be so far?

AS: Enjoyable and frustrating at times. They are a great bunch of blokes with a hell of a lot of potential. I believe and this may sound a bit harsh, with a little bit of application and some real self-belief, this group of guys could go a long way. We have had some great wins and some heartbreaking losses.

CM: What’s the biggest challenge you’ve had in the gig so far?

AS: Getting the guys to realise their potential is the biggest challenge. When they play to this they prove they can mix it with the best in the League.

CM: What’s been the most rewarding part of your coaching experience?

AS: I prefer not to answer this question at this stage, as it is still a work in progress and I would rather reflect on it at the end of the season with hopefully the most rewarding time yet to come.

CM: How’s the morale amongst the senior players at the moment?

AS: Probably a little bit low as we have let a few games slip that we really should have won, but the window of opportunity is still open and the next few weeks will tell the tale of the year. There would be nothing worse than to look back at the end of the season and say ‘if only we had of won a couple of more games’, but as I say the opportunity is still there and our destiny is in our hands.

CM: It’s often said that 90% of footy is mental attitude, and 10% physical activity. How tough is it to keep the side unified and focused on winning matches?

AS: As a coach you can only say so much and put what you believe to be the right structures in place, but at the end of the day, it is up to the individual player whether he takes this on board and puts it into practice.

CM: We’ve copped our fair share of injuries recently. Who’s nearly ready to resume training/playing at the moment?

AS: Pete Forsyth is waiting on doctors instructions. Chris Paver is a week-to-week proposition. As for the others it is just a matter of waiting to see how they come up each week.

CM: Who are some of the Jets players that impress you the most, and why?

AS: There is the obvious answers like Aitken, Levi, and Bulldog but the most exciting thing about this club is the crop of great young players still yet play their best footy even though they are traveling well now. The likes of Shaun Leech, Sinders, Paver, Knudsen and not to mention the exciting Under 18’s, all of whom can hold their heads up high when they have risen to play in the Senior side, will provide a very bright future for this club if we can keep them all together.

CM: Do you think we’ll see more of the colts getting a senior game this year? Who else would you like to bring in, if possible?

AS: Without naming names, there are probably another half dozen along with the ones who have already played Seniors who could be rotated through. However, with finals fast approaching, all three sides need to start playing their strongest selections in readiness for their finals campaigns and therefore it is hard to predict what may happen from week-to-week with regards to injuries and match-ups etc.

CM: Who do you rate as the main contenders for 4th division this year, and specifically, how do you think Heathmont will go?

AS: I believe there are 5 sides in the running for the finals with Heathmont obviously in the mix, we need to win the couple of big games we have coming up. The Basin are a star-studded side; The Pioneers have obviously proved they are worthy favourites, but I truly believe once you make the finals any side could beat another on any given day, it just depends on who has come to play.

CM: What’s the best thing about being involved at Heathmont Football Club?

AS: As I have said earlier, they are a great bunch of guys, they have made me feel very welcome and there is no-one who thinks they are better than anyone else, everyone is treated equally and they have made a 37 year old feel young again, as he did 15 years ago. I obviously can’t keep up with them anymore but I like to think I will go down trying.

This is a young club on the rise with a host of potential champions, but potential is one of the most over-used words in football, it all depends on the make-up of the man in question.

It is an exciting place to be around with a very bright future.

Return to Top of Page