Who’s making the moves in Community Footy ranks – part 5

By Peter Argent

After an extensive career in both Whyalla and Roxby Downs, Greg ‘Golly’ Marshall will coach the Cowell Cats in the Eastern Eyre competition in 2020.

Marshall was the A grade coach at Central Whyalla in 2016 and 2017 after roles in its junior program at under 18 and under 14 levels, between his work commitments at Simit Mining.

“My wife Alison (nee Barrett) is a Cowell girl and we’ve got a strong connection there,” Marshall said.

“They’re looking for some success for the Cowell community and the football club.”

Marshall, 46, started at the Central Whyalla Roosters in his youth, but played at Roxby Downs for 11 years, winning three consecutive flags for Olympic Dam between 1992 and ’94.  He also was among the energetic group who started the Hornridge Magpies Football Club in the late 1990s.

Marshall has already worked on some serious recruiting, picking up Whyalla News medalist Nick Sims and the runner-up, ruckman Nick Dejonge, to boost playing stocks.

After 12 months of football in Darwin, 2018 premiership coach of Millicent Saints Clint Gallio returns to his foundation club in the Western Border League for 2020.

“I had a year up in Darwin, firstly playing with the Southern Districts Football Club in the Northern Territory Football League where we played in the grand final against the Nightcliff Tigers,” Gallio explained.

“Then I moved across to the Northern Territory Thunder and played under Darren Reeves in the NEAFL (the state league incorporating NSW, Qld and NT).

“I’m coming back to play, but I did do my ACL in a game at Alice Springs against the Apsley Hornets so I will hopefully be on the park by the middle of the season.”

Gallio has already recruited former Adelaide Crows top-up player Gene Robinson, who last year was the leading goal kicker in the Northern Areas competition with 97 majors, and will welcome back young talent Hamish McRae who returns from playing in the college system in Adelaide.

“I love working with youth and my philosophies around the game are about getting the best out of the players,” he said.

“I like to play an attacking brand and see our team hit the school board.”

An industrious mid-fielder, Gallio played in the successful Murray South East team in the 2016 Country Championships in Port Lincoln, and the grand finalist team the previous year in Port Augusta.

He also donned the red, blue and gold as a State Country representative.

Gallio is keen to see the Saints bounce back into contention after a modest 2019 campaign.

Main image above: Clint Gallio in action for Murray South East. Photo by Peter Argent.

After playing for the past six years with the Uraidla Districts Football Club in the Hills Football League, and coaching the A grade for the past four years, former North Adelaide footballer Luke Ivens will coach the Flinders Park Reds in the Adelaide Football League in 2020.

Originally from Maitland on the Yorke Peninsula, Ivens enjoyed an extensive career with the SANFL Roosters before moving into community football in 2014.

After making his State League debut in the final minor round game of the 2001 season for North Adelaide, he wore the famous number 10 jumper from 2004, eventually tallying 194 games as a hard running and dashing defender.

Noted for wearing a helmet at League level, he was the Barrie Robran Medalist (North Adelaide’s best and fairest) in 2005.

“I’m still looking for that first senior premiership,” Ivens said.

“I’ve been involved in a couple of grand finals up at Uraidla, but the desire and will to win a break through senior flag is a driving force.

“Flinders Park is a progressive football club and I’ve been impressed with their professionalism and desire to move up to division two.

“I’m looking forward to meeting the Reds community and exploring the opportunities the upcoming season will bring.”

The new coach at the Plympton Bulldogs kennel in division three is 35-year-old clubman Mark Schutz.

A former PHOS Camden footballer, who also had four years with Macclesfield in the Hills division 2 competition from 2013-16, Schutz is a teacher at Immanuel College and entering the Adelaide Football League coaching ranks for the first time in a senior capacity.

“I was assistant coach to Danijel Herbut in the SANFL Women’s competition at Sturt last year and he will be my senior assistant playing coach at the Doggies this year,” Schutz explained.

“The transition to a full coaching role will be made easier as I did my ACL in round three last season.

“When you talk about football philosophies, I will certainly prefer to play an attacking brand of football.

“I’ve had a number of good mentors along the way including Troy Clements at the Immanuel College First XVIII, where I played a role as the fitness coach.

“The Weid (Wayne Weidemann) was my coach for five years at the Phantoms and Damian Minervini was also a strong mentor.”