Coaching great Allan Jeans dies
Will Brodie
July 13, 2011 - 9:05AM
http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/c ... 1hctt.html
Legendary former St Kilda, Hawthorn and Richmond coach Allan Jeans has passed away at the age of 77. Jeans had been suffering from fibrosis of the lungs and had been in palliative care.
Jeans coached St Kilda to its only premiership in 1966, and led the Saints in 332 games between 1961 and 1976. he had taken over the club at the age of 28. He had played 77 games for the Saints between 1955 and 1959.
His reign at Hawthorn between 1981 and 1990 (he missed 1988 through illness) yielded premierships in 1983, 1986 and 1989.
Jeans also coached Richmond in 1992.
An emotional Dermott Brereton this morning spoke of Jeans as being a father figure. "He was just an extraordinary man," Brereton told SEN radio.
"I spoke to him about 48 hours ago and I knew it was the last time I was ever going to speak to him and its a really sad thing when somebody who has had such a profound effect on your life says good bye to you in a way and you know it's the last time..."
Brereton compared talking to Jeans to talking to his Dad.
"I told him that from 15 years of age I heard his voice more than my own father's for the next ten, 12 years, you know five, six days a wek, 90% of it was not about football, it was about life, and how you conducted yourself."
He described Jeans as "the most morally sound man I have ever come across" and one of only three "great" people he had met through football.
Western Bulldogs coach and former Hawthorn star Rodney Eade said 'Yabby' Jeans had a profound effect on players, who saw an empathetic side to his character, as well as the hard and ruthless manner exhibited publicly.
"Everyone he came into contact with he had a profound effect (upon)... Apart from being a good coach he was a terriffic person and he spoke sense... He had a great ability to motivate people even though you probably didn't think he was motivating you."
He said Jeans had a "terriffic sense of humour" which he hid from the public and was a great orator, despite his mild demeanour.
Eade said Jeans' "character, hard work, honesty" had a huge impact on Hawthorn players.