This episode is brought to you by our good friends at NFL Sunday ticket on YouTube TV I'm sure by now you've all got back into your Sunday routines, but they could be even better with NFL Sunday ticket and YouTube TV You get the most live NFL games all in one place every game every Sunday And you can even watch up to four different games at once with multi-view one of my favorite inventions of this decade It's exactly what you need to catch all the action make your Sundays more magical and also YouTube TV is great. I got it this year. It's awesome Sign up now at youtube.com slash BS device and content restrictions apply local and national games on YouTube TV And if I'll Sunday ticket for out-of-market games excludes digital only games Welcome back. It's time to talk to my first guest on the show this morning It's the coach of the victorious Tasmania inside that defeated Queensland on Saturday up on the Gold Coast Aaron Cornelius Welcome to the devil's advocate. Thanks for having me Brent really excited Love it to talk to you off the back of that big win We'll get to that shortly But I want to start with you and a bit about your footy journey first of all where did your love of footy begin Because I remember you as a junior basketball player as well. So was it footy for you from day one? Yeah, love love a footy came for me, but with going to the football and watching my old man play He played for you Norfolk The old TFL and then he went out and played some old scholars put it for friends and new town So I was along for the journey there. So I reckon my football passion grew in in those times, but yeah, I played a lot of basketball as a junior as well and as we all know here in Tazzy when you Able to do a few sports you usually bump into the same sort of people so yeah, but footy for me started an early age and then it continues on Coming through the ranks with Bernalke in the Mariners. Did you believe you were good enough to play in the AFL? Oh Not necessarily it was a probably belief, but I'd something I really desperately wanted to do It's you know, it was a dream of mine from a very young age to run out Back in those days was running out for St. Kilda and you know play alongside some of my heroes. So yeah, it was Look, it was just a great opportunity for me to play senior 40 at a young age and then represent Tasmania Which was you know something that was very close to my heart and still is to this day to be able to run out in the map and All the tradition that comes with it. So yeah, look it was very I was very lucky with my junior career And the exposure that I got And you know look back on that as something to be very proud of What do you memories of draft day in 2008? Did you know you were a good chance of getting getting picked up and did you know you're off to the lines? Or was that a complete surprise? Look, it was was interesting with draft out. I didn't Have the best draft camp. I struggled a little bit at draft camp but the year before it had a really good year and made the Australian side in the Indian rage and had a really Carnival and sort of done everything that I could do To that point so I'm playing the premiership with glonokey and obviously was captaining You know being captain of the state and footy and training with the devils the very first side of the time So there was a lot of stuff that I'd done and then the next year I probably didn't work as hard as I should have done and Unfortunately glue out a bit the draft and then go to late in the 50s and look it was quite stressful Brent It's hard to sit there and watch a lot of other people get drafted for you and start to start to have a lot of Self-doubt and doubt that it's actually gonna happen and then Yeah, Brisbane read out my name and sort of yeah the story tells itself after that Had they shown much interest in you in the lead-up to the draft or not? That draft camp I'd spoke to pretty much every club. I was lucky to do that I had a brief chat to Brisbane after the training session that was held and yeah Gabby Allen and a few other their recruiters sat me down and asked the questions that they usually do and go through a few processes But no, I hadn't had much communication with Brisbane, but I had had Michael Voss as a coach in the old Australian program So yeah, I guess that we were a bit of a relationship from there and they saw my name and they called it out Yeah, and of course yeah coach boy He met the lines in the long run and and you got to play along We saw the likes of Jonathan Brown and Simon Black it must have been a pretty awesome time of your life Yeah, it was it's the best job that I've ever had that's for sure Yeah, it was just an amazing experience to be a part of it I got to travel overseas and obviously all around the country playing football and getting paid to do it You know that's just a huge bonus because it's obviously something that I loved and loved doing So yeah, the guys that you run around with the Jamie Charmons and the Blacks and rounds Bradshaw's Look power Moscow mocha telly all these guys Timmy not even a lot of premiership players in the side that were still playing at the time and Yeah, starting to learn off those guys and and where where the lines call us After being delisted you're returned to glen orky you're absolutely flying of course And then in 2014 you suffered that really horrific knee injury that unfortunately ended yet playing career Tell us about how tough that experience has been for you in the physical and and mental challenges more important You've had to overcome to be where you are today Yeah, look it was I chose to come home. I wasn't really enjoying You know footy as much as I should have been in in the last year Brisbane and You know, I'd spoke to a lot of clubs stately clubs around the country about maybe going and You know being part of their programs, but in the end I chose to come home and You know, I was probably a little bit of lifestyle type thing and be close to the family and glen orky gave me a An amazing opportunity to be playing coach. So that was that was really good and the guys were going quite well and we finished fifth that year and You know, there was sort of the the building building blocks were there for what what was to come, but unfortunately, Brent. Yeah, I had the injury and 27 surgeries and trying to coach a footy side and starting a young family and you know being there for for those guys as well was Quite a challenge. I struggled with it a lot I sort of just pushed it all down at the start and kept moving forward and I struggled with it Um, a fair few years later as far as the mental hold that it took on me I didn't realize at the time, but I still miss playing footy I I said to a couple of the guys big Mitchy Hills and Josh Arnold who were up there on the weekend helped me out I was like a bit of a cat in the hot tin rush Before the game really wanted to run out the guys were up and about and the map map what he was involved So yeah, it's it's still hard to uh To accept probably the fact that I'll never play again, but um, yeah I'm I sort of made a little bit more pace with it than I had certainly early that And how are you today? I mean, I know you started playing some basketball recently socially and you can do it a little bit more than you used to be able to do with the injury Yeah, look well They were going to amputate my leg. Not many people sort of know that that uh my mother and um, my partner at time, Katie They had to sign a form for amputation. So on the night of the accident the um artery behind my knee had split or snapped and the bottom half of my leg was filling up and Um, when that happens, you can sort of have um, you know a lot of issues So it was basically when he had to take his leg off or you know, he could he could be in some really trouble serious trouble Um, but then you know the surgeon managed to get the pulse Back to my foot and and sort of had to recover from there. So I come out and you know Brods and pins and wheelchair and um, you know, I was I was sort of lucky to walk had to learn how to walk again as I had a paralyzed foot Had to go to Melbourne to Have some surgery around that. So yeah, I just have recently just played a little bit of basketball It was the first competitive game of sport. I'd played in 10 years and um, yeah No, the knee struggles a fair bit with the cold weather. It was nice to be on the goal coast on the weekend and Being the warmer weather, but yeah, look, it's going to be an ongoing thing Brent from for me forever It's so I have hard time sometimes putting on the socks and um, a lot of pain Uh in the knee at times, but that's just part parcel of it and I've been able to get back in the gym and Um, as you say, I played a little bit of basketball, which has helped me mentally a lot, uh, and also physically Aaron Cornelius is my guest here on the devil's advocate two years after that I see coach glennall here to a Premie ship against the uh first iteration of that north fauncest and dynasty What do you remember about the day and and the season as a whole because you probably could have won a couple You went pretty well the year before in 2015 as well, didn't you? Yeah Unfortunately missed out, um in 2015, you know, the north fauncest thing were prepared on the day and they played some really good footy And unfortunately beat us in the 2015 grand final, but credit to those guys as we know what they've gone on to do Um, but as far as 16 goes, yeah, look, I I felt a lot of pressure in the end. It was um More of a relief Uh, that we finally got there the club who got me involved and I don't think that had too many expectations on you know What what that might do? They thought that I'd be able to help Certainly, uh build the group and be a part of something But we never really expected it to uh to have the success that we we did But yeah, I felt like it was a big relief in in 2016 to finally get the win And I've got a lot of fond memories of just the joy that the guys got Um, you know, they're now premiership players for glennall here now and can take that off some and we were not far away from I'm not far away from a reunion Which is exciting, but yeah, it was just the you know, north fauncest and they were very very good side that on their home deck and get that win Um, and play the way the boys did was uh, it was quite exciting. So yeah, as I say, it's a it's a memory A little I'll have forever. It's it's lovely to play in them, but when you coach them Um, you understand all the hard work that people around you put into it The players and the support staff and the volunteers the football club and it's just that little bit more special You got to spend some time coaching with the south port sharks and box heel hawks as well What did you learn from your time with two of the biggest state league clubs in the country? Uh, yeah, look, I was very lucky to see I thought we we actually won a flag in 2018 Um, we beat Sydney swans in the needful grand final, but The south port sharks is a tremendous football club that they really support their people and it's got a great atmosphere and Um, you know, I really enjoyed my time there. Uh, I learned a lot of Matthew lapping and Stephen Daniels Uh about the game and the way it was played Um, and then moving into box heel and you know, being able to do it two days a week at hawthorn as well But exposed to that program was yeah, it was just a massive eye opener as to how they go about it and see a different afl club Uh, operate was was quite enjoyable and then to sit alongside sam mitral Uh in his year of coaching at box heel before going into the afl was another eye opener and Opportunity to learn so yeah, I learned a lot But you know, they really prepared sam well in that year and they gave him a lot of resources and you know The benefit was that I was sitting there right next to him Um, you know, learning learning as much as I possibly could and picking his brain and I'm thankful for the opportunity for for both those football clubs And now of course you've got that uh wonderful position coaching Tasmania and coming up really good tom as well with everything that's Going on here in tazzy footy, but let's switch gears to sat and I have please were you with the result Obviously a big win over queens land for the second year in a road to play it exactly as you hoped Uh, look after the first quarter. I was feeling a little bit relaxed and then second and third I'll start to do a little bit stress friend. So if the boys that he could have kept rolling would have uh would have been nice But no, I think the program As exciting as far as the opportunities that these guys have got to play football at a high level and you know, there's We're unsure of where that might go and the opportunities that it might present but um the guys really brought in Uh and the and the staff and and coaches that were involved, you know, they brought in and supported myself and Um, we were able to you know, we believe were quite a good team on the park and then Um, that's solidified with the result. You know, they guys come out of the blocks and put 40 points on the scoreboards show shop queens land a bit We've knew that they were always going to come back into the game I mean it is is a rep game, but it's a finish to the way the guys did You know, the quarters went a lot longer than tazzy footy their AFL times quarters where they the clock stops for everything So I think the last quarter might have even went for 33 minutes Uh, I think queens they were banking on that we would run out of uh field tickets But the guys were running on top of the field and we had multiple rotations and Everyone brought in. No, we didn't have guys, um, stay out on the ground too long. They played their role Uh, and then yeah, we came away with quite a good result. So that was um, very pleasing and very pleasing for tazzy footy You know, being a lot of people were worried that uh, you know, that that wing in the last quarter was going to be An issue, but so you must have been really pleased how you ran out the game Yeah, that I think few people were a bit bit bit worried after talking to some guys afterwards But uh, we just had confidence that the guys were still running on top of the field And we made some adjustments around stoppages stoppage structure Trying to shut the game down a little bit They were getting us on the inside and the stoppage numbers were starting to turn and we made a couple of shifts And that's the sort of thing that a man blades on the come up played a role Uh, you know, he he had quite a good game on ball We went to half forward you played a role, um, around the stoppage And then after he's his action as far as defense goes he then pushed forward hard and got on the end of a offensive goal So, you know, that buoyant from the players was what we were after And you know, the importance of understanding that not everyone was going to have a great day Some guys were going to have to definitely play roles and tackle and chase and put pressure on and Work hard in offense and not necessarily get the ball and as I say all the players brought in Uh, as you do when you play for Tasmania and you know, how we know how proud and prestigious that is Um, and yeah as I say, even you know, even the players like sigans and Kieran level who obviously we're on AFL lists, you know, they sacrificed their games at times as well for the greater good and we come away with a result Yeah, you two best players as you just mentioned there. I mean, uh, Kieran level the front middle is of course with bradcock's good you're out there as well How much peace of mind did it give you? Knowing you had experienced campaigners like those two who were renowned as sort of big game operators. I guess Yeah, look, um, Bradley played fantastic as well as captain and really led from the front You know, he was forward a fair bit of the time and then when he went on boley really impacted the game and Had a couple of shots on go, but um, you know to have Kieran level and android phillips and Um, bradcock's good. Just him so you can see his guys on your side and that and they all brought in, um, you know Big flips obviously played, uh, you know a fair bit of AFL and spent a long time in the system But he brought in just as much as anyone and uh, you know He was just as excited to be out there as anyone and when the guys are like that And they lead from the front, uh, you know, everyone follows suit and was just a privilege to be a part of in the privilege to coach And the good thing is you get to do all again next month when you take on the sydney camber side at utas stadium So do you expect the the final starting 23 to change too much and what we saw on the weekend? Yeah, look, it's it's an interesting one brent. It's the exposure for guys as well So, you know, we obviously won by 46 points, which makes it quite difficult to change the side But having said that, you know, this process is also about exposing some of our guys, um to that level of football and As you mentioned, you know, it's it's it's great to always play state game But this year we get to play two and one up at utas, which is um, you know a great opportunity for some of our younger guys in the state Uh, so yeah, look, it's it's sort of an ever evolving thing in the moment We'll sit down as a match committee and certainly discuss that and go through the game But um, yeah, I don't I hope that we don't make too many changes or hope. Sorry. I hope not to make too many changes But I think there will be a couple just the as I say, keep giving people Exposure to play football. Um, you know for Tasmania and a high level and potentially aspire to be Part of you know the devils and the vfl program moving forward You mentioned on our breakfast show last friday you asked every player to contact a former Tasmanian Representative, what was some of the responses they got and had that little exercise go Yeah, it was, uh, you know a breakdown brought that in when I was involved in the first year as a player And um, you know, it's always long true Last year we had some guest speakers come down and speak about the importance of playing for Tasmania and what it meant to them so Yeah, the guys um did a bit of a ring around and they and you know some of the things are just the honor and and how much of a privilege it is And uh, you know, you only only potentially a short time wearing the jumper So you make the most of it for as long as you can and beforehand we had asked the lynch come down and um, you know, I speak to the playing group Which was you know another great thing for the weekend and he mentioned that the 1990 Team and game that he played him was his, um, you know, most favorite sporting moment He's entire life until he played in the three permships of Brisbane. So, um to hear him speak and Uh, to hear the guys, you know, the guy out of their way to contact some people was just just goes to show and not only Not only that, you know, you get a lot of messages from family and friends and extended friends and people that you work with and you know, everyone's contacting you about it because everyone's so passionate about football down here and Um, you know, just even that exposure for some of our guys and you know, the crowd that we got last year and the crowd that we hope to get in a couple of weeks Just shows, um, you know, how much excitement is around it and and uh, everyone wants to wear the map Well, let you go Really exciting times for tazzy footy at the moment with the devils About to come into the competition in a few years. Obviously got there fell in the lead up Where does Aaron Cornelius sit in all this? So what's your dream result? What would you like to be doing and say two three years time? Oh, look, I just be like like to be involved with footy where I fit best and and get, you know, um, have the opportunity to be able to do that I think the main thing Brent that keeps me Involved with footy at a higher level is the opportunity for some of these guys that you know, may go off and play I feel as I said before, it's the best job that you'll ever have and it's it's an amazing experience to be able to do that Um, so, you know, where where I can add value into a program Um, so be it or pretend to stop in the stands mate slapping a few pies with some with some devils gear on Uh, I'm not sure but um, yeah, look, I'd love to be a part of it Um, you know, and and as I mentioned over the weekend with the with the opportunity coach taz manage it You know, it's it's a a privilege and an honor and now I was able to reach out to Robert Shaw who obviously coached tazzy for a long time and Um, you know, I did a bit of research on myself, you know, what it meant to him to be a part of that and I just Yeah, just uh, it's a great honor to be involved and I was very proud to uh to to coach the state and um, you know Hopefully those opportunities keep coming, but yeah, I I spy to be an AFL coach one day Brent and who knows maybe but um, yeah I'm just trying to keep ticking the boxes in the meantime We got to a good start on that journey mate. Um, really good job on the weekend And we wish you all the best for the big game coming up next month at Utah study. I'm Aaron Cornelius coach of the taz mani and men's team Thanks for joining us on the devil's advocate Thanks very much and have me go devils Well, the star he is Aaron Cornelius my first guest today here on the show And my next guest not too far away either the coach of taz mani is women's team at deb rental she joins me right after this on the devil's advocate
