WESTERN Bulldogs coach Brendan McCartney worked in AFL coaches' boxes as an assistant for 14 years at three clubs (Richmond 1998-99, Geelong 2000-10 and Essendon last season) but even he's feeling some first-game nerves on the eve of his official coaching debut.
Asked if he was nervous ahead of his club's round one NAB Cup clashes with GWS and Collingwood at Blacktown on Saturday night, the AFL's oldest new coach conceded he was a little anxious.
"Oh, maybe," the 51-year-old said. "I think most people, when you're involved in sport at this level, there's always a degree of anxiousness whether you're a player or a coach. It doesn’t matter if it's your first year or your 15th year like it is for me.
"I think we'll be OK."
And as much as his players will be trying to execute McCartney's new game plan on the field, the Bulldogs' new coaching panel will also be finding its rhythm in the box - Brett Montgomery is the only assistant coach remaining from last season.
"I'm sure we'll have times tomorrow night where we're all talking at once," McCartney said.
"But I've been sitting in coaches' boxes for a long time and usually within an hour or two hours or a couple of weeks, things tend to settle down.
"It's not about us; it's about us just helping the players get the right feedback and the right information, and letting them play."
McCartney revealed the coaches had taken a novel approach to ensuring the players understood their expectations.
"We had a meeting this morning with the players and they’re quite clear about (what's expected)," he said. "It was almost like a revision test for them. They were able to come out the front and explain how we set things up with the way we want to play."
McCartney was confident Bulldogs fans would see glimpses of "some special young players" in their NAB Cup opener. The Dogs have selected three new draftees - Clay Smith, Tory Dickson and Michael Talia.
McCartney, like everyone else, was particularly impressed with midfield tyro Smith.
"He plays football the way you like to see it played," the coach said. "He sees the ball (and) attacks it.
"(He) has also some other attributes in his game that will make his a really good teammate.
"It's a long way to go - he's just embarking on his career - but we're thrilled to have him."
Fourth-year ruckman Ayce Cordy also caught the McCartney's eye
in last week's intra-club match.
"He looked physically like he belonged out there," McCartney said. "He actually looked the right size and shape.
"We know his pedigree's sound, he's a quality person and his fundamentals are good … and he's now probably physically able to handle the work that we've placed in front of him, and I think the end result is going to be a very good Western Bulldogs player and person for a long time."
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