The true nature of a contemporary teaching nice

WHEN Brisbane defeated Carlton final Saturday evening to qualify for its seventh AFLW Grand Final, one of many first moments of pleasure for coach Craig Starcevich got here courtesy of a full-blooded chest-bump from effervescent midfielder, Belle Dawes.

Bang. A full run-up, the bump and an enormous smile from each.

Seconds later, Dakota Davidson got here in for a hug. Then Taylor Smith, then Lily Postlethwaite.

Courtney Hodder, Nat Grider, Eleanor Hartill and Shannon Campbell had been subsequent in for a bunch embrace with the coach.

Starcevich has been at Brisbane since day one, alongside head of soccer Bree Brock and head of high-performance, Matt Green.

Together, they’ve helped create a tradition that has resulted in an unbelievable run of high-level consistency – two premierships from six Grand Finals in 9 seasons, and now a seventh decider on Saturday evening.

With Starcevich on the high, it ought to come as no shock.

“When you see the joy on his face, you think, ‘that’s who we’re doing it for – for Craig’,” midfield ace Ally Anderson tells AFL.com.au.

“We just want to make him happy. He loves it so much and it’s so contagious, we just want to win for him.”

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After a embellished taking part in profession, having been the energy and conditioning coach for Leigh Matthews’ hat-trick of premierships within the early 2000s, having held roles in rising the sport in each Western Australia and Queensland, Starcevich has seen nearly every part within the sport.

Captain Bre Koenen says there is not any one grand gesture that makes him so widespread, however a connection he creates with each individual he comes throughout.

“It’s the same as any person you look up to or love; it’s not just one thing, it’s a combination of all the little things he does,” Koenen says.

Starcevich has not solely been a coach, however usually a recruiter, recognizing lots of his present checklist within the QAFLW, using the bumps on and off the sphere with them.

Anderson has recognized him for a decade and even stopped by his second residence in Switzerland, the place Starcevich’s spouse Sonia lives for a lot of the yr, when she travelled to Europe in 2022.

“I known as him from Paris and mentioned, ‘I’m coming to Basel’, and he and his spouse picked me up from the airport, took me to their home, fed me and washed my garments,” Anderson beams with an enormous smile.

“I do know a couple of women over time which have gone by Switzerland have stayed with him and Sonia.

“That’s the form of individuals they’re, they’re so open and welcoming. I do not know what number of coaches you would stick with abroad.

“He is really like a dad to a lot of us.”

Game-changing winger Sophie Conway calls him a “special, special man”, saying his caring nature and the stability he strikes between having enjoyable and being severe retains issues contemporary yr after yr.

“I need that element of fun, and when I’m enjoying myself, I’m playing good footy,” she says.

“The banter you’ll be able to have with him, the jokes you’ll be able to have with him, you’ll be able to take the p*ss out of him and he can take the p*ss out of you. To have that relationship with the massive canine is so necessary.

“He just sends those little texts. For him, it might just be what he does, but for you as a person and athlete and player, when you get those little messages, it means so much.”

Koenen says she overheard a dialog final week that completely encapsulated Starcevich’s nature.

“One of our massage therapists was talking to Nat (Grider) about her son, who played one year at the club in the early 2000s when Craig was S&C (strength and conditioning coach). He remembered him, his name, his journey, his family. (It was) this random-as connection, but Craig – (from) 20 years ago – remembers this kid and his upbringing, his nationality, everything about him.

“He places a lot time into his individuals. He is aware of, and genuinely loves and cares, about all people he coaches.

“His relationship along with his gamers is second to none.

“To have him back you and believe in you as much as he does, you can’t help but obviously want to play for him and do everything you can to prove him right.”

First-time All-Australian Jen Dunne was recruited by Starcevich from Ireland in 2023, bringing one other degree to their relationship.

In 2024, she returned residence to play Gaelic soccer for her beloved Dublin throughout the low season – one thing the coach at all times helps – however opted to return to Brisbane early this yr and full a full pre-season with the Lions, lacking the Gaelic season. Dublin gained the All-Ireland Final in her absence, a bittersweet second for the Irishwoman.

“Even with the girls winning this year, he was so considered in his approach about it. He’d always show an interest in results of games and making you feel like he values where you came from and what got you here,” she says.

“He’s put a lot time into my household as effectively. His spouse is consistently speaking to my mum. Little particulars that make an enormous distinction.

“His wife lives on the other side of the world, too. We share that dynamic that our loved ones are far away.”

If Brisbane do the unlikely and defeat North Melbourne on Saturday evening, look ahead to the response of its gamers in the direction of Starcevich.

You may get just a bit window into why the membership has been so profitable beneath his watch.