So often you hear coaches talking about the stress and pressure of coaching a first grade side.
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While Tim Allan knows that feeling, this season has also been “not much of a hassle”.
Allan is one of the Macquarie Raiders’ reserve grade side’s two coaches, the other being Anthony Egan.
With Allen being a reserve grade regular in recent seasons and one of the undoubted leaders of the forward pack, and Egan being an experienced campaigner and former first grade premiership winner at the club, the pair have complimented each other well.
Now, they stand just 80 minutes away from the ultimate prize in their first season at the helm.
“Ant and I have done it together and I sort of do the on-field coaching and and he does the off-field,” Allan said.
“It’s worked pretty well that way. It’s very full on for one person but this way it has been not much of a hassle.
“We’re just good mates. We talk and discuss things and Ant has got one of the best footy brains I know. He’s come up with gameplans and things and we just enjoy doing it.”
While there’s a somewhat relaxed attitude and a focus on enjoyment, that doesn’t mean there’s any lack of ambition.
Far from it, with Allan saying a grand final win has always been the goal.
“It’s what we set out to do,” he said.
“Me and Ant have said from the start anything but a win in the grand final is an underachievement.”
Those on the opposition bench on Sunday are vastly more experienced when it comes to coaching.
This year marks Joel Rapley’s sixth successive season in charge of CYMS, while he has been assisted by club stalwart Nicholas Wilson this year.
“Nick and Joel always have the side well-prepared,” Allan said.
“We’ve just got to play our footy. Everyone has confidence in their own ability.
“We know CYMS are as tough as anything, especially in a big game.”
When it comes to “our footy”, it’s a fairly simple approach for Allan, Egan and the Raiders.
“We just work off the back of our forwards,” Allan said, he will line up in the front row on Sunday.
“We’ve got the talent and speed out wide but we’ve got to be able to show that talent.
“Everyone has got to do their part. We don’t rely on one or two players and it’s good to know those blokes are there.”
The bond within the Raiders side is obvious when you see them play and Allan goes as far to say this current side is the “closest group of mates I’ve played footy with”.
Kick-off is 11.30am.