New Ocean Grove Football Club Under 19 co-coaches Michael Monk and Matt Payne have known each other for almost four decades. Both share a work office together.
Monk, a Grubber Under 17 coach in 2019, and Payne, a former Ocean Grove senior co-coach and junior coach, have a strong football bond both in the game and at their work at Detail Door Hardware.
“We know each other work-wise and we have known each other for nearly 40 years,” Payne said.
The pair replace outgoing Under 19s Grubber coach Matt Tyrrell, a four-time premiership junior coach, who coached the club to a Division Two Under 19s flag in 2019.
Payne said the aim was to help the Under 19 rising stars make the transition into senior football.
“(The) main goal is to get as many kids to play to play senior footy as we possibly can and help them through those initial years,” Payne said.
Monk said there was an eligible list of around 30 Under 19s players to choose from, some which are natural born leaders who will start the season playing seniors.
“At that Under 19 level we’re probably blessed because we have a range of different people who can take control of different situations,” said Monk, who coached the Grubbers to an Under 17s flag in 2018.
Monk and Payne have sons, Will and Bailey, who will play in the side.
Mark Heenan
