Jack Geary's leadership role with Golden Square will take on an extra dimension in 2021. The club captain and star midfielder has been appointed assistant coach to new senior coach Christian Carter. Geary and Carter were premiership team-mates at the Bulldogs and now they'll join forces in a coaching capacity. "I'm excited because I've known Jack since he started playing when he was 16,'' Carter said after he was appointed senior coach. "He's already a leader with what he does on the ground, but I think he's a ready made coach. "This gives him more experience and ownership and I think this will help him thrive even more." Geary, the 2018 Michelsen Medal winner and five-time premiership player, said coaching was something he'd like to explore. "Carts asked me if I wanted to be involved and I was more than happy to help out,'' Geary said. "It's half embarrassing to have the title of assistant coach because there's probably half a dozen people at the club who do at least as much as me on a weekly basis. "It will be an interesting role for me moving forward...now that I'm getting a bit older. "Coaching is something that I'm interested in. It's not something that I'd probably do while I'm still playing. "From my experience I'd prefer to be a coach on the sidelines. I've played under some really good playing coaches, but I feel as though coaching from the sidelines would suit me better. "If it was to eventuate at some point then that's the avenue I would look at. "This role with Golden Square is going to be a great experience. It will give me a feel as to where I want to go with coaching." Read more: Catch up on all the latest local footy news Geary said the Bulldogs had made the right call in appointing Carter to his first senior coaching gig. "Not long after Carts was appointed I had six messages on my phone from people saying how great it was that he got the coaching job,'' Geary said. "He loves the club and is passionate about what he does. "Working under Bernie has put him in good stead and, I'm sure going forward, he'll put his own spin on things and build on it." On the field, Geary will headline a Bulldogs' squad that has high expectations in 2021. "We like to thank every year that our best footy is good enough,'' Geary said. "A bit has been made about us losing Skinny (Baird) to Mounts, but that just creates an opportunity for someone else to get more time in the midfield. "We do have good kids coming through and we want to be able to blood these kids that have come through the under-18s." After the 2020 season was wiped out by COVID-19, Geary said the playing group can't wait to return to Wade Street for pre-season training. "This time of year with the sun out, the grass is greener and it's warmer...we should be playing finals footy right now,'' Geary said. "It's frustrating, but things are starting to look a bit better. "With restrictions easing there's already been messages flying around with players wanting to get together in small groups to do some running. "It will be good to get back into training properly." Have you signed up to the Bendigo Advertiser's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in central Victoria.
