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Fifteen years later, Daryn Cresswell and Ken Hinkley will work together
to help Geelong on the road to success. Cresswell and Hinkley have been
named as the Cats new assistant coaches, 15 years after the pair were
meant to be Geelong teammates.
Cresswell was originally drafted by Geelong with the 34th pick in the
1988 national draft, and at the same time the Cats picked up Hinkley in
a trade with Fitzroy. Cresswell returned to Tasmania after five under 19
games, while Hinkley went on to become one of Geelong's greatest
players, earning two All Australian jumpers, a best and fairest, the
captaincy, three grand final appearances and induction into the Cats
hall of fame.
"We had an outstanding field of candidates and believe that in Daryn
and Ken we have two men with the knowledge, passion and work ethic to
work with our players and coaches to help us toward success," Geelong
coach Mark Thompson said.
"Ken has enjoyed success in all of his coaching roles and understands
the unique nature of the club. Daryn was a player that had to work
incredibly hard to achieve success and he will bring that same work
ethic and determination to this role. We are excited to have them on
board and I know that they are excited to be here."
For Hinkley, the return to Geelong is a dream come true. The
36-year-old Hinkley has enjoyed outstanding success in coaching, leading
Camperdown to back-to-back Hampden League flags in 1999-2000 and Bell
Park to the 2003 Geelong Football League premiership. He spent 2001 as
an assistant coach at St Kilda under Malcolm Blight, commuting on a
daily basis from Geelong to Moorabbin.
"I'm excited and thrilled to be back and involved with the club and
I am looking forward to working with Mark, the other coaches and the
players," Hinkley said.
"I see exciting times coming at the club and I can't wait to begin
working toward that success."
Hinkley made his AFL debut in 1987 with Fitzroy. After two seasons and
11 games with the Lions, Hinkley came to Geelong in exchange for the
48th pick in the 1988 draft. It marked one of the best trades in
Geelong's history. He went on to play 121 games in the navy and white
hoops and finished third in the 1992 Brownlow Medal, just three votes
behind winner Scott Wynd.
Cresswell re-ignited his AFL career with Sydney, a career that saw him
named in the Swans team of the century. He retired at the end of the
2003 season with 263 games to his name, a best and fairest, All
Australian honours in 1997 and an appearance in the 1996 grand final.
Some six weeks after hanging up his boots, Cresswell will return to the
field for his first pre-season as an assistant coach.
"I always wanted to be involved in coaching and the chance to work
with Mark Thompson, who has always impressed me with his demeanor and
coaching, is a great opportunity," Cresswell said.
"I think the club has an exciting young list with a lot of talent and
I am looking forward to working with the playing group."
to help Geelong on the road to success. Cresswell and Hinkley have been
named as the Cats new assistant coaches, 15 years after the pair were
meant to be Geelong teammates.
Cresswell was originally drafted by Geelong with the 34th pick in the
1988 national draft, and at the same time the Cats picked up Hinkley in
a trade with Fitzroy. Cresswell returned to Tasmania after five under 19
games, while Hinkley went on to become one of Geelong's greatest
players, earning two All Australian jumpers, a best and fairest, the
captaincy, three grand final appearances and induction into the Cats
hall of fame.
"We had an outstanding field of candidates and believe that in Daryn
and Ken we have two men with the knowledge, passion and work ethic to
work with our players and coaches to help us toward success," Geelong
coach Mark Thompson said.
"Ken has enjoyed success in all of his coaching roles and understands
the unique nature of the club. Daryn was a player that had to work
incredibly hard to achieve success and he will bring that same work
ethic and determination to this role. We are excited to have them on
board and I know that they are excited to be here."
For Hinkley, the return to Geelong is a dream come true. The
36-year-old Hinkley has enjoyed outstanding success in coaching, leading
Camperdown to back-to-back Hampden League flags in 1999-2000 and Bell
Park to the 2003 Geelong Football League premiership. He spent 2001 as
an assistant coach at St Kilda under Malcolm Blight, commuting on a
daily basis from Geelong to Moorabbin.
"I'm excited and thrilled to be back and involved with the club and
I am looking forward to working with Mark, the other coaches and the
players," Hinkley said.
"I see exciting times coming at the club and I can't wait to begin
working toward that success."
Hinkley made his AFL debut in 1987 with Fitzroy. After two seasons and
11 games with the Lions, Hinkley came to Geelong in exchange for the
48th pick in the 1988 draft. It marked one of the best trades in
Geelong's history. He went on to play 121 games in the navy and white
hoops and finished third in the 1992 Brownlow Medal, just three votes
behind winner Scott Wynd.
Cresswell re-ignited his AFL career with Sydney, a career that saw him
named in the Swans team of the century. He retired at the end of the
2003 season with 263 games to his name, a best and fairest, All
Australian honours in 1997 and an appearance in the 1996 grand final.
Some six weeks after hanging up his boots, Cresswell will return to the
field for his first pre-season as an assistant coach.
"I always wanted to be involved in coaching and the chance to work
with Mark Thompson, who has always impressed me with his demeanor and
coaching, is a great opportunity," Cresswell said.
"I think the club has an exciting young list with a lot of talent and
I am looking forward to working with the playing group."
I hope it goes well for him!
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