Former premiership player, club record holder and assistant coach Corey Enright has joined the ‘To Final Bell’ panel this week following the Cats 32-point win over the Bombers.
The podcast hosted by premiership captain Cameron Ling, defender Zach Touhy and Herald’s Sun’s Scott Gullen asked Enright about the move from being one of the game’s best defenders to a coach of a successful forward line.
After admitting that coaching was never on his radar until his final playing years, Enright discussed his concerns for taking on the position.
“Last year was my first year, and I was a little like what am I going to bring to the group, to the players and how am I going to coach,” said Enright.
As he has settled into the new role, he found that his prior experiences and knowledge of the game has helped to re-invent the Geelong forward line.
“I take a knowledge I have created from my playing experience but also from coaches as well. It’s good to know what defenders like and what they do.”
Following last year’s elimination from the finals, the Geelong forward line has been significantly adjusted. Changes included the emergence of young stars like Gryan Miers, the recruitment of Tom Atkins and the repositioning of star midfielder Gary Ablett as a high forward.
The changes have been praised by the panel who credited Enright for the current success of the forward line.
“The boys have been working really well together, things we have worked on over the pre-season and wanted to implement early on has come out,” said Enright.
Enright admits that it is still a work in progress, but thinks it has been a pleasing start to the season for the boys who seem to be enjoying playing good footy together.
In addition to locking in and increasing the pressure in the forward, Enright has used the strength of both new and old players to balance each other out and “bring their natural strength and individual flare out when it is required.”
Corey Enright gives instructions to Gary Ablett. 
Players like Ablett have made Enright’s job easy despite his recent transition into a high forward position.
“To be fair, it does not make my job hard…you just tell him to go out onto the grass and find the footy and kick a goal. I do not have to do much with him.”
Ablett started his career as a small forward but has spent the majority of his career hunting the ball from a midfield position. Enright has said it is a real credit to Ablett to be able to adapt his game at his age.
The club looked to Enright to fill a coaching role following his retirement as he was seen to be someone who could not only play the game but understood what the coaches were saying and used that to influence players.
Now as an assistant coach Enright believes he has found the right balance. In the beginning, he struggled with trying to take on too much, but with experience he has learnt to prioritise more efficiently which is reflective in the performance of the team.
“I think I am slowly getting there,” he said.
Geelong will take on North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium this Sunday at 1.10 pm.
