Once I made the decision I knew it was the right one.
- Mitch Palmer
IF you can’t play, you might as well coach.
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That’s the philosophy of Mitch Palmer, who’s just been appointed reserves coach at Lavington.
The 29-year-old will be a non-playing coach next season, after deciding to quit playing after the grand final loss to Albury due to the on-going effects of concussion.
Palmer replaces Mark Chandler, who led the Panthers to reserve grade premiership success this year by beating Wodonga in the grand final.
He said the reserves team would continue to work closely with the senior group, which will again be led by James Saker.
“I never really considered coaching,” Palmer said.
“Sakes mentioned it (the job) was still available and said I’d do a good job if I wanted to do it.
“I don’t expect it will be too much different to what I’ve been doing the past four years with the leadership group, so the transition shouldn’t be too bad.”
Palmer was knocked unconscious twice during the season, including the grand final.
He once wore a helmet to protect his head and tried to adjust his game style, but decided playing wasn’t worth the risk any longer.
Palmer said he didn’t regret his decision to retire prematurely.
“It would have been the Wednesday after our grand final I was reading about John Platten and the history he’s had (with concussion),” he said.
“I’ve got a similar history and don’t want a bar of what he’s gone through.
“I’d hope to be up and about for another 60 years yet.
“Based on how serious it could be, once I made the decision I knew it was the right one.
“It was easy to move on.”
Palmer has been a regular senior player at Lavington since 2012.
The tough midfielder, who could also kick goals, played 75 games and booted 53 goals in the past four seasons.
Palmer said making the senior side didn’t come easy for him, and that was something he would pass on to his charges.
“I played quite a few twos games before I became a regular senior player,” he said.
“I know what’s like for some blokes who expect to play seniors but aren’t quite there yet.
”I definitely wanted to keep involved and this way I feel I can share my experiences.”
Palmer said he wouldn’t be persuaded to pull on the boots next season, “as much as I’d love to play with them”, and said he didn’t know what sort of coach he would be.
“I certainly won’t be a yeller,” he said.
“I’ll be more of a practical coach than an emotional one.
“Although I haven’t had the emotion tested yet.”
Palmer is the second player Lavington has lost from its senior grand final team.
Myles Aalbers is the other, he’s coaching Rand-Walbundrie in the Hume league.
While there’s question marks on the futures of key forward Justin Koschitzke and small forward Jay Banks.