A friend sent me this interview that was in the VAFA Record this week. It's no secret Dunc and Andy are my favourite AFL playing brothers. I got a 6wo alsation puppy yesterday and have named her Kella. 
Former long standing and highly respected player at Richmond Football Club,
Duncan Kellaway, now playing with Caulfield Grammarians, agreed to this
interview with Geoff Reilley.
GR: Duncan, when did you play your last AFL game and what have you been
doing in the interim to stay in shape?
DK: My last game was about round 14, 2004. I have stayed generally fit with
a bit of running and the occasional weights session and swim. I was
reasonably fit but footy fitness is a different kettle of fish and I needed
to become involved in pre-season at Caulfield, especially to get the body
used to physical contact again.
GR: Did you think when you retired that you may play again at a lower level?
DK: The thought was in the back of my mind but I knew I was going away to
travel and work overseas in 2005 so I wasn¹t sure if I would get the
opportunity to play again. On returning home my good mate, Andrew Will,
current Caulfield Grammarians Club Captain, was going around for one more
year and my body felt good so I thought why not.
GR: What was the determining factor in deciding to play with Caulfield
Grammarians?
DK: I am a past student of Caulfield Grammar and therefore knew quite a few
of the guys at the football club. Although the majority of my closer
schoolmates have retired, they still follow the club and turn up to most
matches. I consistently watched my mates play with the Grammarians
throughout my AFL career and therefore had an ongoing affinity with the
club.
GR: You are one of three brothers to play in the VFL/AFL. Was there any one
coach who had a particular influence on you, or your brothers Lochie and
Andrew, to pursue the game at the elite level?
DK: Not really. We all just loved playing footy and aspired to play the
highest standard we could. The support of our parents all the way through
our footy careers has been instrumental in us all doing well.
I should also say Peter Schwab really assisted me in making the transition
from U19¹s and reserves to playing senior AFL footy
GR: What do you regard as the most important quality in a coach?
DK: Definitely honesty.
GR: What do you think is the key element for worthwhile training in amateur
football given there is usually only two training sessions per week?
DK: Good lights at the ground! I have been spoilt by training during the day
for the past 10 years. The intensity of training also needs to be high given
the relatively limited time available for training.
GR: As a qualified physiotherapist and a player who suffered numerous,
serious injuries, do you have any suggestions for coaches regarding player
management, particularly at amateur level?
DK: It¹s a good idea to have protocol in place to provide guidelines for
players and staff to follow. Having contacts such as a sports physician and
physio that you know and can refer players to is also important.
GR: Which AFL player/s, past or present, do you regard as the ideal role
models?
DK: I think Chris Judd, also a Caulfield Grammarian, is as good a role model
for either young or experienced players as there is going around these days.
A great player, fair and, importantly, also pursuing interests away from
football
GR: You spent some time in the UK recently. Was it to further your
professional career and did any aspect of sport in the UK impress you?
DK: I worked in a sports medicine practice for a few months and applied for
jobs at Fulham and Tottenham. I received interviews with both clubs but was
not successful in getting a placement.
I have to say that the ball control of the Premier League soccer players is
really incredible and they also have great speed.
GR: Do you have any thoughts of coaching Australian Rules in the future?
DK: Happy to just have a kick this year and will see where I am at when the
season finishes.
GR: Duncan, welcome to amateur football, thanks for your time and good luck
for the remainder of the season.
(The support group for Australian Rules football at Caulfield Grammar School
is named the OKellaway Club¹ and acknowledges the outstanding playing
careers of Lachlan, Duncan and Andrew and the exceptional contribution by
their parents Peter and Annette. Lachlan is in his second season as
Assistant Senior Coach at Caulfield Grammarians. Peter, Annette and Andrew
are regular supporters at Caulfield¹s matches).
Former long standing and highly respected player at Richmond Football Club,
Duncan Kellaway, now playing with Caulfield Grammarians, agreed to this
interview with Geoff Reilley.
GR: Duncan, when did you play your last AFL game and what have you been
doing in the interim to stay in shape?
DK: My last game was about round 14, 2004. I have stayed generally fit with
a bit of running and the occasional weights session and swim. I was
reasonably fit but footy fitness is a different kettle of fish and I needed
to become involved in pre-season at Caulfield, especially to get the body
used to physical contact again.
GR: Did you think when you retired that you may play again at a lower level?
DK: The thought was in the back of my mind but I knew I was going away to
travel and work overseas in 2005 so I wasn¹t sure if I would get the
opportunity to play again. On returning home my good mate, Andrew Will,
current Caulfield Grammarians Club Captain, was going around for one more
year and my body felt good so I thought why not.
GR: What was the determining factor in deciding to play with Caulfield
Grammarians?
DK: I am a past student of Caulfield Grammar and therefore knew quite a few
of the guys at the football club. Although the majority of my closer
schoolmates have retired, they still follow the club and turn up to most
matches. I consistently watched my mates play with the Grammarians
throughout my AFL career and therefore had an ongoing affinity with the
club.
GR: You are one of three brothers to play in the VFL/AFL. Was there any one
coach who had a particular influence on you, or your brothers Lochie and
Andrew, to pursue the game at the elite level?
DK: Not really. We all just loved playing footy and aspired to play the
highest standard we could. The support of our parents all the way through
our footy careers has been instrumental in us all doing well.
I should also say Peter Schwab really assisted me in making the transition
from U19¹s and reserves to playing senior AFL footy
GR: What do you regard as the most important quality in a coach?
DK: Definitely honesty.
GR: What do you think is the key element for worthwhile training in amateur
football given there is usually only two training sessions per week?
DK: Good lights at the ground! I have been spoilt by training during the day
for the past 10 years. The intensity of training also needs to be high given
the relatively limited time available for training.
GR: As a qualified physiotherapist and a player who suffered numerous,
serious injuries, do you have any suggestions for coaches regarding player
management, particularly at amateur level?
DK: It¹s a good idea to have protocol in place to provide guidelines for
players and staff to follow. Having contacts such as a sports physician and
physio that you know and can refer players to is also important.
GR: Which AFL player/s, past or present, do you regard as the ideal role
models?
DK: I think Chris Judd, also a Caulfield Grammarian, is as good a role model
for either young or experienced players as there is going around these days.
A great player, fair and, importantly, also pursuing interests away from
football
GR: You spent some time in the UK recently. Was it to further your
professional career and did any aspect of sport in the UK impress you?
DK: I worked in a sports medicine practice for a few months and applied for
jobs at Fulham and Tottenham. I received interviews with both clubs but was
not successful in getting a placement.
I have to say that the ball control of the Premier League soccer players is
really incredible and they also have great speed.
GR: Do you have any thoughts of coaching Australian Rules in the future?
DK: Happy to just have a kick this year and will see where I am at when the
season finishes.
GR: Duncan, welcome to amateur football, thanks for your time and good luck
for the remainder of the season.
(The support group for Australian Rules football at Caulfield Grammar School
is named the OKellaway Club¹ and acknowledges the outstanding playing
careers of Lachlan, Duncan and Andrew and the exceptional contribution by
their parents Peter and Annette. Lachlan is in his second season as
Assistant Senior Coach at Caulfield Grammarians. Peter, Annette and Andrew
are regular supporters at Caulfield¹s matches).
