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If,
for its size, the ACT has produced a disproportionately high number of
outstanding footballers, the same cannot be said for coaches, with the
overwhelming majority of the more successful members of the 'brains trust'
hailing from outside the territory's borders. However, almost every
rule has its exceptions, and perhaps the most notable of these in the case
of Canberra-born football coaches was afforded by Alan 'Ginty'
Stevens. A prodigiously talented footballer, his exploits on the
field with both Ainslie and St
Kilda are recounted elsewhere.
As a coach, his career was comparatively brief - just 2 seasons at senior
level - but how many coaches do you know with a 100% record of getting
their teams into grand finals? This was 'Ginty's' accomplishment,
imbuing his charges with the kind of 'play on' mentality which he had
personally assimilated during his time in the VFL.
In 1952, 'Ginty' Stevens' first season in
charge, and with 'Ginty' himself playing a key role on the field as well
as off, Ainslie won every single match for the season, culminating in a
hard fought but thoroughly deserved 13.20 (98) to 12.12 (84) grand final
defeat of Queanbeyan-Acton. The
following season saw Stevens controlling affairs from the sidelines as the
Tricolours once again played off for the flag against the Combine.
In a hard fought, low scoring affair the lead changed hands several times
during the closing minutes, with the Combine ultimately snatching a 5
point victory courtesy of a goal kicked after the final siren.
Unfortunately for Ainslie, and for Canberra
football in general, work commitments would prevent Stevens from taking
any further part in senior football, although he did coach a junior
representative team in 1954. |