Tara Murray
After nearly 20 years, Justin Wenke’s time in the football pathway talent programs has come to an end.
The coach of the Northern Knights NAB League boys side for the last four years, Wenke has made the tough decision not to reapply for the role, which has changed under a restructure.
From next year, the head coaching role will be fulltime and coach both the boys and girls teams.
Wenke said it was one of the hardest decisions that he’s had to make.
“I’m professionally employed fulltime and I’d been coaching part-time,” he said.
“I’ve had nine years with my employer. I had to make the decision over the last two weeks to reapply or not.
“It was a heart-wrenching decision to leave the place that I love. It’s one of the harder decisions that I’ve had to make.
“Looking at the current situation, I chose to stay in my job.”
Wenke started in the pathway system as a talent manager at the Oakleigh Chargers, before coaching the under-15, under-16 and under-18 sides at the club.
In 2012 in his first year as coach of the under-18s, the Chargers won the grand final with a golden point after scores were level.
After 15 years at the Chargers, he had a couple of years out of the game, before joining the Knights.
“It was a great opportunity with my experience of development,” he said.
“I’ve got a passion for junior development and what it stands for. The work done by Rhy Gieschen the region manager to get this program really developed is huge.
“The alignment with Parade College for the training facilities, I’ve been proud to create a club at an elite level in the north which makes better players and better people.
“We’ve lifted the standard of training.”
While the premiership remains a standout highlight for Wenke, he said it was watching the players that he has coached make it at the highest level that brings him the biggest joy.
He counted that he has coached 60 current AFL listed players.
“I’ve coached Luke Shuey and I had a lot to do with Jordan De Goey. I was with him through 15s and all the way up and he’s a star of the game.
“Nick Coffield has done really well this year and Jack Petruccelle is playing with the Eagles.
“Andrew Gaff and Darcy Moore are a couple of others. Jack Macrae, who kicked the winning point in the TAC Cup grand final plays at the Bulldogs.
“I turn on the footy and see the kids I’ve been fortunate enough to be able to coach and that’s the reward for me.”
Wenke said he hoped a couple of other Knights players would be on AFL lists by the end of this year.
He said Nik Cox was a unique and special talent, while father-son prospect Ewan Macpherson has put in a mountain of work this year.
Wenke said he hoped to be involved in the football landscape in some form.
