By Lance Jenkinson
There are many angles to Michael Barlow’s feel-good return to Werribee in the Victorian Football League this season that make sense for both player and club.
The signing of Barlow, one of Werribee’s top success stories from a decade ago, filled the Watton Street air with excitement during summer.
The re-connection is an acknowledgment from both sides of a successful relationship first time around.
Barlow cherished the stint with Werribee that preceded his nine-season, 141-game AFL career with Fremantle and the Gold Coast Suns, while Werribee showed how highly it regards him by installing him as a playing assistant coach.
Barlow described being developed by Werribee and drafted into the AFL system as a rookie in 2010 as “a surreal experience … really humbling”.
The 31-year-old is yet to sit down and reflect on his achievements as an AFL player because he is not officially retired and has far too much to focus on in his new role with Werribee.
The playing assistant coach position gives Barlow the best of both worlds.
The onballer can continue playing at a high level in the VFL while giving the coaching caper a real shot.
He dipped his toes into coaching in the past two years at AFL Women’s and AFL Academy levels on the Gold Coast.
First and foremost, Barlow wants to set the example as a player at Werribee and be part of team success.
He yearns to play a part in a drought-breaking premiership.
The closest Barlow has come to playing in a senior premiership was in 2013 as part of the Fremantle side beaten by Hawthorn in the grand final by 15 points.
“I’m motivated to win a premiership,” Barlow said. “I’ve never won one at senior level.”
Barlow seems to be a natural at coaching because of his personality, football knowledge and ability to back up what he says with big-time experience.
But he is not totally certain this pathway will lead to coaching after his playing career finishes.
That is why a dual role fits Barlow like a glove at this phase of his football journey.
“As a coach, I’ll be motivated by team success and building something at Werribee,” Barlow said.
“I’m hugely motivated to help others fulfil their potential.
“I feel like I’m well suited to coaching – I’m relatively personable and I like the attention to detail and extra commitment around it.
“Coaching sparks an interest, but how far I’m going to go with it I’m still determining.”
Barlow was lucky to play the bulk of his AFL career under Ross Lyon.
At Werribee, Barlow is learning under former Port Adelaide Power premiership coach Mark Williams, Nick Daffy and Jeff Andrews.
“We’ve got a real healthy, professional, experienced coaching group,” Barlow said.
Barlow is excited to be part of a new-look Werribee midfield.
He has fitted in with three-time club best-and-fairest winner Matt Hanson, seasoned campaigners Tom Gribble and Dom Brew, new recruit Josh Clayton and a host of other established and newly acquired players in a deep midfield unit that is feeding off ruck tandem Angus Clarke and Jack Berry.
Barlow is currently sidelined with a jaw injury sustained in round one, but is not far off a return.
Werribee will face Northern Blues at the Preston City Oval on Saturday from 2pm before its first bye of the season.
MORE VFL NEWS
www.starweekly.com.au/sports/werribee-star-michael-barlow-a-wildcard/
