TOM LONERGAN has only been at IKON Park for a week now, but he says it feels like a month with the amount of fun he has been having.
Coming into a newly created role as Development and Talent Manager, Lonergan is going to be across many departments at the Club, bringing his strengths and experience in a number of areas as he marks a new phase in his own career.
When talking to Michael Voss and Brad Lloyd, Lonergan made it clear that he did not want to be stuck in one space, but rather get an all-encompassing view of how the Club operates.
“I’ve been on a journey as a talent manager in the NAB League and wanted to explore different opportunities, not solely just coaching,” Lonergan said.
“They were able to accommodate and I think it’s going to be a really good experience: I think Carlton is in a fantastic position at the moment.”
Apart from helping out Ash Hansen with the forward line, Lonergan will also assist Luke Power in the development space, as well as also contributing to the recruitment and list management team alongside Nick Austin and Mick Agresta.
What seems like a combination of roles is actually a linear progression for Lonergan, who will use his various objectives to oversee development from start to finish.
“I’ll be supporting Ash Hansen on match day in the coaches' box and looking at the forwards and making sure they’re doing what they need to be doing,” he said.
“I’ll also work closely with Luke Power in the development space and ensure that their skill acquisition program is aligned with what ‘Vossy' wants from a game model point of view.”
In terms of the recruitment and list management space, Lonergan is keen to watch the underage talent programs he's had experience managing, and work out how best to integrate them into the AFL landscape.
“Part of my role will be going to watch a few underage games and the players we might be able to bring in, then I’ll have a really good understanding of their capabilities and then I’ll be able to work with them,” he said.
“There’s that real transition between seeing them at that underage level and being able to get on the grass and hopefully their development is able to really grow and escalate really quickly from there.”
While Lonergan thinks the Blues are on the right path to achieve their goals, he wants to double down on the one percenters and small things away from training that they can do to elevate their game even further.
The growth that the team went through last year won’t go unnoticed, but Lonergan wants to wipe the slate clean and come into 2023 with a new mindset.
“They had an improved year last year but it’s a new year now: there are going to be teams that are nipping at the heels of those teams in the top eight and we’re just one of them. There’s plenty of work to do,” he said.
“It’s really important for the group to stay in the moment: that’s why every session is going to be really important for this group.
"Making sure that they’re getting the reps in on the track and all the bits and pieces around main training.”
Although it’s only been a week, two Blues are already impressing Lonergan with the way they go about their training and the additional effort they put in away from the track.
[Harry McKay and Charlie Curnow] are two unbelievably talented athletes and one thing that has quickly stood out is the extra work that they do put in,” he said.
“From the early bits and pieces I’ve seen from them, the extra work they’re putting in is enormous and I’m sure that will help them as they work through this year and into the future.”
