Michael Barlow, the Shepparton export whose stock continues to rise exponentially in football circles, has followed this example with his breakthrough AFL role sealed this week following a whirlwind month.
Fresh off steering Werribee to a fairytale grand final berth in the recently completed VFL season, North Melbourne has pounced to appoint Barlow as its new head of development.
Barlow had exactly long enough at season’s end to look around and analyse whether a move to the senior ranks would suit his desire for life balance.
“Things happened very quickly,” Barlow said.
“I was all-in on VFL finals and ensuring we gave ourselves a good chance.
“Progression started pretty quickly after that and North is a great opportunity for me to be involved in.”
Barlow had captured the attention of numerous AFL clubs after an inspiring Werribee outfit rattled off 17 straight wins before falling at the final hurdle in a grand final defeat to Gold Coast.
He was crowned VFL Coach of the Year and the move to a top-flight establishment seemed inevitable.
“I’ve loved what I was able to do with Werribee, having ownership of my own program from coaches and staff to players,” Barlow said.
“One specific role was really important for me, as head of development now, knowing I will oversee my own program within the confines of an AFL club.”
Barlow revealed that other AFL sides had made “very informal” approaches, but the Kangaroos’ supreme point of difference was the pedigree of the man in charge.
“I met with ‘Clarko’ (Alastair Clarkson), and he was adamant this part of the club will be prioritised,” Barlow said.
“Working with Clarkson with what he’s done across his career speaks volumes about the character and quality of the coach I get to learn under.
“I’ve been lucky to attach myself to a number of quality operators, both as a player and a coach.”
In his post-VFL grand final conversation with The News, Barlow suggested his commitments with the Tigers matched the workload of an AFL assistant coach.
Now, in a role quite similar to the one he referenced, Barlow aims to carry on imparting his Werribee philosophies in his new surroundings at Arden Street.
“A big part of coaching is listening to people,” Barlow said.
“Players at Werribee loved their existence while they were at the club and that’s what I’m looking to achieve here.”
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