Jarrod Cotton first joined the Crows last season in a part-time midfield development role. A member of Port Adelaide’s inaugural AFL squad and a veteran of over 160 SANFL games, Cotton is now a full-time development coach working with the Club's backline group. We caught up with 'Cotts' to see how he was settling in with the new role.
What’s it like now working full-time as a coach?
“It’s been excellent and really exciting for me to join the Club full-time. I’m working in a great professional environment with some of the best coaches in the competition, and I’m learning off them every day. I can’t wait to get stuck into the games. Sometimes it was pretty hard last year. I was still working full-time and the boys obviously train here during the day, so it was always difficult getting to sessions and meeting everyone involved at the Club. As a coach, it’s important to strike up those relationships with players, coaches and officials. Game day was good, but now it’s fantastic to be part of that process every day and to have the opportunity to build those relationships. It’s already been a massive difference to last year.
You worked with the midfielders last year, how different has it been now you’re working with the defenders?
“It’s been really good. There were a lot more moving pieces with setups and stoppages working with the midfield last year, but I’ve already learnt so much off Darren Milburn. I’ve found it’s more about positioning and structure in the backline and working on how Walshy wants us to play that team defence.”
How are our young defenders going?
“Jake Kelly is training really well at the moment, Harrison Wigg is really starting to find his feet now and Jake Lever’s attitude and desire to get better is really impressive. I think as a young defensive group, we’re heading in the right direction.”
Your impressions of Phil Walsh?
“Excellent. He’s been awesome. I’ve learnt so much in a short period of time working with him in regards to game style, the way to speak with players and the way you carry yourself. It’s been fantastic.”
How is the Club’s SANFL development squad progressing?
“Really well. Last year was a bit of a learning curve for us, but I think Heath Younie has done a fantastic job this year with the development guys. The squad we’ve got has a lot more depth and many of the players have played reserves or League footy at SANFL level in the past. There’s a lot of talent there, and we’re just trying to get them back into the system.”
What’s it like working with Heath Younie?
“Last year was my first experience with Heath, and he was great. It was hard for him to manage me at times last year given I was working part-time, but I thought he was excellent and we did it as best as we could. Tate Kaesler has also made it an easy transition this year so everyone’s been fantastic.
How did you rate Adelaide’s inaugural SANFL season?
“I thought there were a lot of positives and we finished the season strongly. It’s always hard when it’s the first year of something new, but overall I think it was a win that all the players here at Adelaide got to play together on a regular basis and play the way that we wanted them to play. I’m confident the team will improve again this year.”
Who will be the premiership contenders in the SANFL this year?
“I think Norwood will still be pretty strong. They haven’t lost too many players and they’ve gained a few new ones. Sturt will probably be up there again, and the Eagles are always around the mark. There’s probably three or four clubs who could realistically win the premiership and I think if we have a good run with injuries – and every club is the same with that – our best will be very competitive.”
Do you have any senior coaching ambitions?
“That’s probably looking a bit too far ahead. At the moment I’m just really loving my role in development. I think that it would be something that I’d eventually want to do, but at the moment I just want to grow in this role and we will see what happens from there. Where that leads me, who knows?”
You played for Central District, Norwood, South Adelaide and Port Adelaide’s AFL side, and also coached with the Redlegs. Which team is the toughest for you to coach against?
“Norwood is probably the team I’ve been affiliated with the most before I came here, and I’ve still got good relationships with people at the club. But when that ball is bounced, it’s game on. You can have a laugh and a joke afterwards, but every opposition you play is just another team and you want to get the job done.”
