Coach Matthew Primus reshuffled his support team for 2011 after he was officially appointed as Mark Williams’ successor in September.
Ex-Geelong star Garry Hocking was promoted from development mentor to forward and ball movement coach, while ex-forward coach Jason Cripps replaced new St Kilda assistant Adam Kingsley as the Power’s defensive line coach.
Former North Melbourne boss Dean Laidley agreed to continue his commute back and forth from Melbourne and remains in the role of midfield and stoppage coach- a role he assumed when Primus took over as caretaker coach in round 16.
The club also appointed two development coaches in Matthew Nicks and Daniel Healy but didn’t bring in an outside replacement for Primus, who had shared the midfield duties with Laidley while also looking after the ruckmen.
Most AFL clubs employ a ruck coach on either a full-time on part-time basis but Primus, aware of the financial restrictions at Alberton, looked within the existing group and found a willing volunteer in Brogan.
Brogan, 32, is the oldest player on Port Adelaide’s list and the premiership ruckman said it was time he started giving back to the club that plucked him off the basketball court in 2000.
“We don’t have a specific ruck coach and we’ve got four young ruckmen in Matthew Lobbe and Jarrad Redden and [rookies] Daniel Webb and Mitch Curnow. Our development coaches can only do so much and there needs to be some kind of ruck coaching,” Brogan told afl.com.au.
“Matty has asked me to be more of a mentor to those guys and I’m quite happy to do it. If the club had asked me three years ago I probably would’ve told them to get stuffed, but there comes a time in you’re career when you’ve got to put those feelings aside for the benefit of the club.
“You’ve got to teach them the tricks that normally you would keep to yourself. I’m more open about that now and I’m enjoying seeing them beat me at training and using my tricks against me.”
Brogan played a lone hand in the ruck for Port Adelaide last season and changes to the AFL’s interchange rules are likely to see him shoulder the majority of the load again this year.
There were queries over the ex-NBL basketballer’s durability early in his AFL career but he’s allayed those concerns, playing 67 of the last 72 games and said he hadn’t ruled out playing on next season.
“You’re only one injury away from pulling the pin, but I’m not thinking that this is going to be my last year,” Brogan said.
“I’m not ruling it [retirement] out, but I’m still into it and if I’m getting a game I’m happy.”
Brogan ruled out a return to the basketball court when he retires from AFL, saying he was keen to pursue a career in football coaching.
“I really like looking after the ruck and the midfield, so whether that becomes a role down the track…I don’t know, but I’d like to stay involved in footy,” he said.
“I’m working closely with Dean Laidley and the midfield group. I’ve found myself showing the young ruckmen a lot of footage and teaching them the craft and I’m really enjoying that side of coaching and mentoring.”
