It's often not until the lights turn on and it's all over that you take a moment to pause and reflect on how great something was and how much it influenced you as a person and the team as a whole. It could be an event, a celebration, a night out, a season, or an era. Without a doubt, the biggest influence on the Pirate’s Football club in the past five years has been the presence of Senior Coach Mark Glenn (Moo).
He came to us with the reputation of a hard-ass-do-or-die-take-no-sh*t-and-win footballer from down Wooralla Drv. I remember the first training session Moo came to at APEX Park to take us through a couple of drills. I wasn't really sure who he was and, to be honest, I kinda resented the way that whole session felt like an audition. Aren't we supposed to be the ones who have to accept him, I thought? Over time of course, he's proven how naive my initial thoughts were.
His intention for our club to find glory was clear from the beginning and he quickly set about creating a vision for the team that would grow into the hungry and well drilled unit we are today. As the leader of our tribe, he commanded ferociousness from every player. His innate ability to stand amongst a group of 10, 20, 40, 100 players, supporters (even stray opposition coaches) and speak footy gospel (peppered with the occasional scream to get us going when we were slumped) was legendary. The lengths Moo would go to get the best out of each individual was extraordinary and included on one occasion several jumper punches to light the fire and spark the pirates.
As a player at the club, there were moments when we all watched him play and were a little in awe about the moves he pulled off... for his age. I saw him sell candy and kick a goal on our home deck in a thunderstorm against Werribee and to this day I'm certain that he didn't just fake the bloke out in front of him, but from the backline, I could see half the field fake to the right!
Of course those who witnessed his comeback match at the MCG in 2010 may just in fact question his accountability and ability to have a shot on goal from outside of 50 meters but in that same game was clearly BOG.
As a coach (2006-2010), he had an amazing ability to foster development in younger players willing to learn. He was always looking for the upper hand and often switched players to different positions and gave them chances to grow as new utilities. Later in his coaching career, it was his coaching staff and other close supporters who spoke of the way he'd matured as a coach in his understanding of the players - not just football itself.
It was widely accepted that one of Moo's strengths was that he surrounded himself with outstanding support staff - Frez, Macca, Brad and very importantly our fitness guru, runner, assistant coach and ripper of a guy, Theo. Moo would often take out game day frustrations on Theo to the point that players would not need the runner as they had heard the message from the other side once Moo had sprayed Theo! Theo also deserves many accolades and the players and club look forward to seeing Mark & Theo around the club in 2011.
Moo's passion as a Pirate was, is and always will be unwavering. He leads, bleeds and succeeds as one of the greatest coaches our club has ever seen - arguably, the best we've had.
Five seasons, two grand finals and three finals campaigns is about as successful as you can get without winning a flag - we all know how much this guts Moo and the club that we haven't achieved this yet... But we will. And it will be very, VERY soon.
The lights are on. And now, it's important that THE mighty MIGHTY P.O.B... as players, as a team, as a community and a proud, proud football club heading towards their first premiership take a moment the next time you run out to think about Moo and thank him by bleeding blue and tan when you wear that Pirate jumper.
Cheers Moo
The POB salutes you!
Decks & The General