DESPITE facing up to 12 months on the sidelines with his ACL injury, injured All-Australian defender Sam Docherty says he has a new level of understanding on the game.
Having long expressed interest in coaching after his playing career and being renowned for his football nous, Docherty received permission from the AFL to act as a bench coach for the Blues for his year away from the field.
“It’s been different (to playing) that’s for sure. The one thing as a player now that I’m understanding is that when you’re on the emotional rollercoaster of football and playing, you can go out there and do something about it,” Docherty said.
“With coaching there’s a certain level of helplessness that you do all your work during the week and then it just sort of is handing it over to the players and hoping for the best. You can make slight little adjustments and help out as much as you can, but in the end, it’s up to the players.
Sam Docherty is enjoying his coaching role on match days. (Photo: AFL Media)
“But I’m a big lover of the game so while (the injury) hasn’t changed my perspective on the game, it’s offered me a new level of understanding and to be able to watch all our boys grow and develop and get opportunities to play significant roles in our side - I think that’s only going to pay us back in the long-term so that’s been enjoyable from my end.
“It has been different, and at times I’ve nearly wanted to jump out off the bench and run out onto the ground a couple of times but I don’t think that would be the smartest thing to do. So this year, my enjoyment has come from seeing our group grow and get those opportunities.”
Having not yet recorded a win on the scoreboard this season, Docherty said the Blues’ young playing group was in a "developmental phase" in establishing a balance throughout its game plan.
“We’re trying to develop that happy medium between how we played last year which was quite slow, between how we played earlier in the year which was really quick,” Docherty told RSN Inner Sanctum on Thursday morning.
"It’s just about refining that and getting back to a bit more defensive pressure which was needed because we were getting scored against too much earlier in the year. We’re just in that developmental phase about how we’re going to play our footy.”
While the Blues are arguably missing their All-Australian defender in the backline this season, beloved veteran Kade Simpson continues to impress with Docherty highlighting his "professionalism" and dedication to getting the most out of his 33-year-old body.
“He’s one of the most hardworking guys I’ve ever met. The thing that has probably surprised me since I came to the footy club is I looked at him from the outside and thought 'how does this bloke play footy..he looks like he’s about 60kgs dripping wet’,” Docherty said.
“In the gym a lot of his stuff is about the maintenance of his body. He prepares for training as much as he does for a game of football and being able to keep himself out on the track.
“I admire him and watching him go about it - he has such a level of professionalism and he never waivers in any of it. I guess the results show for themselves - he’s barely missed any games of footy and he’s close to his 300th now.”
