Experienced GC SUNS assistant coach, Andy Lovell, is widely regarded in football circles as one of the competition’s next senior coaches. The coach-in-waiting had his value universally recognised on Tuesday when he was announced as the coach of the Indigenous All Stars side.
Since arriving at Metricon Stadium in 2010, the former Melbourne and West Coast midfielder has built an impressive reputation on the Gold Coast.
Settled and confident in his role behind new senior coach Rodney Eade, Lovell admitted feeling honoured by the appointment and said the opportunity to take the reigns of his own side would be great for his coaching development.
“I’m really excited, it’s a wonderful opportunity to be asked by the AFL to coach the Indigenous All Stars boys. I’m really looking forward to it. I’m really honoured and respectful,” Lovell told SUNS TV.
“Every time you get the opportunity to coach your own team, whether it be just for one game or not, its just the experience you need in this caper.
“I’m really comfortable with the job I’ve got now (at the SUNS). But, if I end up with an opportunity to coach an AFL club one day that would be great.
“At the moment I’m just really, really pleased with the role I’m in with the club. It’s a real thrill to be asked to do the job.”
VIDEO: See what Rodney Eade had to say about Lovell’s appointment
In his short time in southern Queensland, Eade has already left a robust imprint on Lovell and the entire football department. The former Western Bulldogs and Sydney Swans coach’s ability to delegate tasks to his coaching group is something Lovell explains as important for internal growth.
Lovell revealed the new coach has raised the standards at the club not just in terms of training and preparation, but also in the manner in which the playing group treat their environment and the people within it.
“He’s been fantastic for all of ourselves at the footy club. The other thing about it is he delegates and he gives you the opportunity to contribute which is really strong,” Lovell said.
“He’s been brilliant. I’ve been asked the question: what impact has he had? He’s got enormous experience we know that, but his ability to be able to engage people, engage the players more particularly, has been outstanding.
“He demands high standards which is really important at a footy club and he’s made some really critical changes to the way we go about our preparation and the way we train and how we carry ourselves around the club.”
Lovell will lead the game’s best Indigenous players against West Coast at Medibank Stadium in Perth on February 20 as part of the AFL Players’ Association's annual Indigenous camp.
It is expected the SUNS will have a strong contingency head west for the encounter with the Eagles, with the likes of Harley Bennell, Jarrod Harbrow, Jack Martin and Steven May all on Gold Coast's playing list. However, only fully fit players will be selected in the All Stars squad for the pre-season fixture, with the club opposed to taking any adverse risks at this time of year.
