Re-signed Magpies coach Riccardi relishing role

NORTH Geelong coach and Geelong Cats great Peter Riccardi says he is still absolutely loving coaching.

So it comes as little surprise he has signed on for a further two seasons – until the end of 2027 – as the Magpies’ mentor in the GDFL.

Assistant coach Keegan Carr will be elevated to co-coach next year, which will help share the load.

“The part of coaching I like, especially with this young group, is that you’re also like a teacher,” Riccardi said.

“You’re just teaching them and not only football stuff, hopefully it [goes with] them into their personal lives as well and outside of football, which is highly satisfying for myself.

“I like to get to know our players on a personal basis as well, not just footy.

“So I enjoy that part and I enjoy the Saturday. And I really like what I see when we come in after a game and we win, the smiles on the faces, the smiles on the supporters. It’s just satisfying.”

 

The Magpies had plenty of reasons to smile in Round 13, getting back on the winners’ list with an impressive 17-point victory against fellow premiership contender East Geelong.

It came after losses to Belmont Lions and Bell Post Hill.

Riccardi identified on-field communication was an area that needed work earlier in the season and he saw progress against the Eagles.

“On Saturday, all the boys coming off said the communication was amazing out on the field.

“That probably comes back to having a few players coming back like Paddy Cleary, Benny O’Brien, Osca [Riccardi], Jasper George – apart from Paddy, they might be young in age, but they’ve had some [good experience].

“Obviously Osca’s had VFL experience, Benny O’Brien, the same with GFL as well.

“It was pretty evident that the communication around the ground was spot on.”

Riccardi said that while finishing top three would be ideal, it wasn’t the be all and end all.