'Young boy feeling': Brendan Fevola reveals nerves as surprise Tigers coaching role locked in
Updated . First published at
Goalkicking great Brendan Fevola has been appointed as a specialist coach for Richmond's AFLW team.
The 204-gamer, who kicked 623 goals across his time at Carlton and Brisbane, will work with the women's side to hone their kicking and forward skills in 2025.
But even with his AFL career long behind him, his first day at Tigerland brought the nerves flooding back.
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"I'm a Tiger! I went in there yesterday (Wednesday), it was a bit weird driving into Punt Road," Fevola said on his morning radio show Fifi, Fev and Nick.
"I tried to explain it to my family. It was like my first day of being drafted going into Carlton. I had this young boy feeling, meeting everyone."
Brendan Fevola is Richmond AFLW's new specialist coach. Richmond FC
But it was a meeting with an old friend and Richmond great, Chris Newman, which put Fevola's mind at ease in a new environment.
"It was surreal because one of my best mates, Chris Newman (former Richmond captain), was one of the first people I saw," he said.
"'Look at us now, in our 40s and at Tigerland'. It was like my first day of being drafted."
Brendan Fevola pictured playing for Carlton during the 2009 season. Paul Harris
The 44-year-old declared he has a "passion" for women's football and supporting the growth of the Tigers program.
"I'm a specialist coach. I'll be doing a lot with the forwards ... I'll be doing everything," he said.
"Obviously, my passion for women's footy, and I just love footy. So, they wanted me to be a specialist coach so I could help out the midfielders and the defenders."
Richmond head of women's football Kate Sheahan lauded Fevola's love of women's football, with the seven-time Carlton leading goalkicker having four daughters.
"His energy is infectious; he has coached his own team, and his on-field resume speaks for itself," Sheahan said on Thursday.
"However, what has really stood out when talking to Brendan – who is, of course, a father of four girls – is his genuine excitement for women's football."
The Tigers have made the finals twice since their debut in the league back in 2020, with hopes Fevola can spark another push for a maiden flag this year.
"Brendan will regularly be on the track at our training sessions, and our players are thrilled to have him on board," Sheahan said.
