He’s the coach of the competition’s most improved side and this weekend Robert Hyde will be looking to guide Greensborough to its first Division 1 flag in 25 years.
The captain-coach of Boro’s 1983-84 premiership triumphs, Hyde will be on the hunt for his third premiership as coach.
NFL media manager Samuel Zito chatted with the 2014 Northern AFCA Coach of the Year ahead of his club’s first top flight Grand Final since 1989.
SAMUEL ZITO: Could you ever have imagined that your club would have all three teams playing off in a Grand Final this year?
ROBERT HYDE: It’s really exciting. I said to you at the start of the year that I was disappointed with last year but I could see the light. We started off well and finished off well, but with the age bracket of the team we just focused on going out and getting one or two players that we thought we would need. We were lucky enough to secure (Michael) Hooper and (Daniel) McLinden, and even (Andrew) Stellas who has been fantastic as well.
SZ: You have clearly proved all doubters wrong this season, but is there an element of surprise internally at just how far the club has come this year?
RH: There’s no doubting that. I told the whole group at the start of the year that I expect to play finals. We’ve been lucky that we’ve been healthy throughout the year. We’ve never had a bunch of our top-line players out all at once. It’s a dilemma now because obviously Tim Bongetti comes back in and I’m going to have to leave some poor bugger out but I’ve done that over the years and that’s just footy.
SZ: Obviously Tim Bongetti is a huge inclusion to the side for Grand Final. He must be raring to go.
RH: He’s been very contrite. He’s apologised to the group because he mucked up and sorry that he put everybody under pressure. He’s a ripper kid and he’s ready to go.
SZ: Aside from Bongetti, will there be any others who might be pushing for selection this week?
RH: I could (make changes) but I don’t think it’s fair. I think Tim Bongetti will be the only one who comes in, baring injuries. They recovered on Sunday night and they recovered again on Monday. Talking to the trainers there are a few niggles but that’s fine. There are no major injury worries.
SZ: You’ve lost all three matches to Heidelberg this season by close margin. What are your thoughts on your opponent this week?
RH: The pressure is on them, not that we haven’t got anything to lose. Each time we’ve played them we’ve had an opportunity to win it but they’ve been too good. They are a very disciplined, hard working side but they are not unbeatable.
SZ: What do you consider to be Heidelberg’s main strengths?
RH: There defensive structures are so sound. I know they had a big turnover in players, but they’ve picked up some very good players. They’ve got the two Hodgkins, they’ve picked up (Charles) Gaylard who has been a legend player, and they’ve also got Paul Bower so they have gone out and replaced some stars. Their young blokes from the twos have also progressed and they are a very well organised and strong break.
SZ: You’re coming off a shortened six-day preparation. What does Grand Final week have in store for the club?
RH: We had ice baths there after the game and some went to the pool and we’ll also be meeting there again. It’s just a light week and we’ll make sure we focus on our structures and re-plan for Heidelberg and some match ups. I want the boys to really just enjoy the week.
SZ: It’s been a long 25-year wait for your proud club to return to a Division 1 senior Grand Final. What’s it like for the club as a whole to be back on the big stage?
RH: It’s a very proud club and one of the original clubs in this league. We were highly successful up until the 1989 premiership and would have been leading the competition in finals appearances and premierships. Since we’ve been down to Division 2, as has a side like North Heidelberg who’ve now fought their way back up. You have to go through the tough times to appreciate the success which is proving the case now.
SZ: The side has already made some of its own history by winning the club’s first final since 1991. What have you made of your September campaign so far?
RH: It’s a great learning curve for our group who are not that old. There are a lot of the guys, like Matthew Fowler, Brent Ryan and Tristan Stead, those who have been around for a while but are only 22, 23, 24 or so. Then there’s Jason Rogers who has just been a revelation this year. They’ve played enough footy now to know that they can play good A-Grade footy. Our under-19s are in their sixth Grand Final in a row. That’s a real positive for our future.
