“I suppose in the AFL you need to make your own way and I saw the Gold Coast SUNS as a great challenge,” Munro told goldcoastfc.com.au.
“A side that was just starting out created opportunities for me, and I had been at Carlton for a long time… I didn’t want to be seen as a Carlton person.”
Acting as an interstate eye for Guy McKenna and his assistant coaches on the Gold Coast, the Melbourne-based footy guru spends hours analysing AFL opposition on a weekly basis – a role that tends to see Munro spend plenty of time in the air.
“My responsibilities as Opposition Coach and Game Analyst is to watch the opposition train and their games leading in to our game,” said Munro.
“I break down their style, their structures, how they play, and compare their strengths to our strengths… sometimes it involves flying over Australia and watching opposition two-three weeks out, meaning some weekends you can be in three states during the trip.”
With the modern game continuing to evolve at a rapid rate, Munro says game-day analysis has never been harder.
“Today’s game is a lot more structured from ball-ups, stoppage scenarios and point kick-ins,” he said.
“Normally every play will have an understanding on where they need to be in any of those situations.”
“So when you go to scout opposition you look at all those aspects, where they position, where there key players are and then you almost try and layer it on where we play and see what flushed out of it all.”
Munro highlighted the team’s thrilling 12-point victory over his former club in Round 22 last year as his most memorable moment at the GC SUNS – and conceded he had to keep his emotions in check as the winning song echoed throughout the Gold Coast change rooms.
“It was certainly very satisfying and something really difficult to explain.
“I know that on that day we beat Carlton, and being ex-Carlton, the joy the players had on their faces is something I’d like to feel again,” he said.
And after two-and-a-half years in the red and gold colours, Munro can happily say he hasn’t looked back since his defection to the Gold Coast.
“I liked my time at Carlton, I enjoyed it, but I now see myself as a GC SUNS football person and that’s where I am happy and content.”
