As one of the Essendon 34, Mark McVeigh has been banned from performing his role as assistant coach with Greater Western Sydney this season. As such, the Giants have announced NEAFL development coach Nick Walsh as interim backline coach, with Nick Maxwell to assist him in a “specialist role”.
“We looked at a range of options to cover Mark for this season and we believe that Nick Walsh stepping into this role is the best option,” said Giants head coach Leon Cameron.
“Nick is a very impressive young coach with good knowledge of the game and has fantastic relationships with both the playing group and coaching staff.
“As a club we are obviously right behind Mark and his family and we look forward to Mark returning as an assistant coach overseeing our backline ahead of the 2017 season.”
GWS say they will ensure McVeigh’s ten months of downtime are not a waste, promising to support him until he is allowed to resume his role in November.
Walsh, who has been working with the Giants since 2011, said: “The circumstances under which I’m stepping into this role are unfortunate but nonetheless I’m excited about the challenge ahead this season.
“With the support and input from people like Nick Maxwell, Leon Cameron, our NEAFL Coach Brad Miller and experienced players like Heath Shaw, Joel Patfull and Phil Davis leading the young group, I believe the backline is well positioned for the year ahead.”
Collingwood premiership captain Maxwell said the 2016 structure would minimise disturbance to the group.
“It’s a unique set of circumstances for everyone involved and this outcome provides maximum stability for the playing and coaching group,” Maxwell said.
“I’m looking forward to taking on more responsibility at the club with this specialist support role, while still continuing my existing leadership roles at the Giants and Melbourne Storm, as well as my media commitments.”
Josh
Guest
Table for one please waiter !
Franko
Guest
A valid point Johno, and well made.
BigAl
Guest
Your obvious personal enthusiasm is a start !
johno
Guest
Mark McVeigh ..... the bloke who slagged off Kyle Reimers as saying things were untrue and was a disgruntled player and unprofessional. Who said that what they signed was a consent form not a waiver and that every player knew what they were taking and that if you didn't know then you must have been asleep in the meeting ,,, which he claimed Reimers was. He claims that Bruce Reid checked everything they took. And that Reid was across it all. And that his club was so thorough about what they gave the players. Who claimed he only ever had vitamin c injections. And that was all that was administered off site to himself and other players. Who thought the players would be 100% fine as all they took were vitamin supplements. How can any club hire such a BS artist.
Josh
Guest
All of Western Sydney is talking about this, just walking through Parramatta this morning and there were people in cafes discussing it over coffee, random strangers stopping each other in the street to talk about it. I can't believe how popular the Giants are !!!