Tara Murray
New Western Jets boys coach Trent Dennis-Lane has always had a passion for developing up and coming football players.
So when the opportunity arose to join the Jets in a full time coaching position, the former AFL player had no hesitation in taking on the role.
Dennis-Lane officially started at the Jets this week and will step into the role full time next year after sorting out work commitments.
“I can’t wait,” he said.
“I’ll be part time this side of Christmas and then stuck into next year. It’s been a hectic few weeks.”
Dennis-Lane said the opportunity to have a full time coaching role was something that attracted him to getting involved in the NAB League.
He’s been juggling coaching around three or four jobs, which hasn’t always been the easiest thing.
For Dennis-Lane, coaching is something that he has been keen to get involved with for a long time.
“I’m a bit of a footy nerd,” he said. “The game plan side of things, the structures and the tactics.
“I was still playing when I took on a development role at Sandringham when they still had a development side.
“The opportunities developed from there and I continued to yes and immersed myself.”
Dennis-Lane, who played 29 AFL games, has also been involved coaching at St Kilda with its next generation academy and with the club’s Victorian Football League aligned-club the Sandringham Dragons.
With his work also involved working with youths, it’s a passion that has grown for him.
For Dennis-Lane the move to the Jets will be a learning curve.
“I’m pretty much brand new to Melbourne’s west,” he said. “I come from Perth and moved to Sydney and then bay side.
“I’ve done a little bit of work at schools [in the west]. I know the area is very multicultural, which is cool.
“I’m half Burmese. I’m looking forward to getting stuck into it.”
Dennis-Lane said the training squad was about a 50-50 split of new and returning players. He said they were hoping a couple of 19-year-olds would return as well.
He said it felt good to finally get out on the track with the squad.
“There was a bit of anxiety running through my veins,” he said.
“Then getting out there felt like business as usual. The coaches, who were assistant coaches last year, are still learning names of the new faces, so I’m not out of place.
“We’ll have a good block of training and then hit the road running next year.”
