New Hoppers Crossing coach Adam Contessa wasn’t looking to get back into coaching, but the chance at the Western Region Football League division 1 club ticked all the boxes.
Contessa stepped away from coaching at the end of 2020 due to work commitments meaning he couldn’t commit to a role.
With a change of work situation, a phone call from Hoppers Crossing piqued his interest and the rest is history.
‘It’s a great opportunity,” he said. “I’m really looking forward to getting my teeth into it.
“It came up by chance.
“I have started a new job down in Geelong and I am based in Pascoe Vale, so I couldn’t really commit to coaching in Melbourne.
“I got a call from Hoppers Crossing a couple of weeks ago. My ears pricked up.
“It wasn’t planned, I drive past the door every day.”
Contessa said he had always wanted to coach again, but it was about finding the right situation.
The former AFL player is no stranger to the WRFL, with his previous job at Sunshine meaning he coached against the Warriors.
He has been quick to pick the brain of former coach Steve Kretiuk, who stood down from the role after nine years.
“I know Steve really well,” he said. “We’ve had a couple of convos with him about what they need to improve.
“I think I have a relative understanding and once I get into it, I’ll make up my own opinions.”
Contessa said the young talent coming through the club was one of the things that attracted him to the role.
He said with the salary cap and points system that was the way that clubs had to go.
“We want a strong culture and want to be a club where players want to be at the club,” he said.
“What it also helps is the recruiting of other players. A fair few gave the game away during the COVID period.
“Their mates are still at the club and it might entice them to come back and play.”
Contessa said it had been full steam ahead since his appointment with speaking to players and putting things in place from pre-season.
He said they would start pre-season later this month.
In good sign, for the Warriors, Contessa said 95 per cent of the playing squad had signed on for next season.
“As a new coach walking in and knowing that the players want to stick around with a different vibe and a different look at the game is really pleasing,” he said.
“We’re always looking to recruit. In convos with Steve and the committee it’s about targeting specific needs we went to recruit.”
