Brent Piltz's outstanding career finishes on a sour note

BRENT GODDE: You were a talented junior at Henty who won the league best and fairest in 1995 before making your senior debut the following year as a 17-year-old under coach Mark Eyers?

BRENT PILTZ: It was a forgettable senior debut after I copped an errant elbow against Walbundrie and suffered a depressed cheekbone fracture.

BG: Do you remember who did it and if it was deliberate?

BP: To be honest, I forget his name but I was probably 10 metres off the ball when it happened so I don't think it was an accident.

BG: Was there any pay back by your teammates?

BP: I remember a few of the boys telling me that they would square him up but he proved elusive.

BG: You missed eight weeks?

BP: I had surgery the next day and was told I couldn't play for two months.

BG: You were good enough to force your way back into the side and played in the Swampies' grand final triumph?

BP: I was fortunate enough to walk into a fairly talented side. We boasted a lot of talented juniors and it was Mark Eyers first year as coach. Eyers landed some handy recruits in his brother Darren, Steve Hetherton and Jason Vildovas. Shane Wardrop had emerged through the junior ranks, while Dennis Kane, Neil Terlich, Dale Macreadie and Darren Willis were handy performers.

BG: Hetherton kicked 111 goals that year?

BP: After previously playing for North Albury, Mark Eyers and 'Heo' certainly had a bit of an aura about them around the club.'Heo' was a freak in the bush and was so consistent and used to thrive on the big stage. 'Heo' would also be one of the more lippy teammates that I played with. The local blokes probably get taken for granted a bit but Dennis Kane and Dale Macreadie could have easily played at a higher level if they had chosen to.

BG: You showed some promising signs and attracted the attention of North Albury?

BP: With Mark Eyers coming from North Albury there was a connection and the club was good enough to offer me a greenkeeper apprenticeship as I had just finished high school.

BG: You also attracted the attention of Terry Daniher who was coach of the Wagga Tigers at the time?

BP: I played a couple of practice matches for the Tigers and one day when they were playing in Albury they picked Shane Wardrop and myself up in a bus at Henty on the way through. I would have loved to play under Daniher but North Albury offered me a job which swayed my mind.

BG: You were a lanky teenager?

BP: I would have been around 78kg when I first arrived at Bunton Park and needed to put on some bulk.

BG: Were you good enough to play seniors straight away?

BP: The first year I probably played half in the seniors and the other half reserves. I got runner-up in the reserves best and fairest and I thought I was playing some pretty good football.

BG: You did get a bit frustrated by not being a regular senior player?

BP: I did contemplate going back to Henty but thankfully I stuck it out.

BG: You had a huge pre-season before 1999?

BP: Ernie Whitehead was coach and encouraged a few of us younger guys to train a lot more often. Mark Hilton, Simon McCormick, the Neve boys and myself were getting up at 6am most mornings to do either weights or swim sessions as well as extra skill work and running.

BG: You whacked a bit of size on the rig?

BP: From memory I put on 6-7kg which gave me a bit more confidence.

BG: It proved to be a masterstroke by Ernie?

BP: Ernie had a big impact on my career in getting me bulked up and getting some explosive power through the lower body.

BG: Ernie handed you the unenviable task of tagging Albury star Glenn Page one day to help fast track your development?

BP: Ernie thought I had the aerobic ability but wanted me to learn the running patterns, work rate and where to go to find the footy. It was a steep learning curve.

BG: Did Page towel you up?

BP: I thought I went OK against him considering how good a player he was at the time.

BG: You were good enough to be part of the Hoppers flag in 1999 when they defeated arch rival Albury?

BP: It was a tight grand final and we only really cracked them in the last quarter to win by about three goals. Corey Lambert, Simon McCormick and Marty Cross were outstanding that day.

BG: In 2000 you played in another decider but are on the wrong side of an 108-point pumping from a Damien Houlihan inspired Corowa-Rutherglen.

BP: I played in six losing grand finals and that was the first. From memory we came from fifth that year and were probably cooked. Corowa had an awesome side and I don't think anybody in the league could have stopped them that day.

BG: It was the Houlihan show after he booted 10?

BP: I haven't seen a more dominant finals performance in the O&M. Nobody could lay a finger on him that day.

BG: Did you have to play on him at all?

BP: I went to him late in the third quarter. I think I was the 18th bloke Ernie had tried by then.

BG: The following year in 2001 you get put on the Swans rookie list as a 23-year-old?

BP: I think one of the best games I played in the O&M was in the preliminary final against Wodonga Raiders in 2000. Fortunately for me there was a Sydney recruitment officer there that day and I'm guessing he liked what he saw.

BG: You thought you were a chance to be put on the Swans list straight away?

BP: I think I was in the mix for the final spot but Stephen Tingay ended up getting it and I was put on the rookie list.

BG: You were reunited with Brett Kirk who you played alongside at Bunton Park in 1998?

BP: I rated his 1998 season as one of the most dominant I've seen and he was racking up 35 plus possessions most weeks. I think he won every award you could that season besides the Morris medal.

BG: You forced your way onto the senior list late in the season and made your debut against Essendon under lights at Etihad?

BP: It was a forgettable debut and I look back at it and think it is my best, worst day ever. To make my debut was a dream come true but I sat on the bench for most of the match and probably got 10 minutes of game time.

BG: Swans coach 'Rocket' Eade gave you a spray after the match?

BP: When I did get on I made a few errors and 'Rocket' certainly let me know about it.

BG: You were a bit stiff to come up against Essendon?

BP: Essendon were red-hot that season and made the grand final. I got dropped but the following week we played West Coast who were struggling at the time and I would have much preferred to play them.

BG: You got delisted at the end of 2001, was it a shock at the time?

BP: It was a bit because I thought I was playing pretty good footy for Port Melbourne in the VFL.

BG: Paul Roos delivered the bad news?

BP: I was at home and got a call from Roos and he said 'we have decided not to keep you on the list.'

BG: The following season in 2002 'Plugger' Lockett made a comeback for the Swans?

BP: I often joke 'Plugger' took my spot on the list.

BG: How do you look back at your time at Sydney?

BP: I still cherish it and it was a great experience. Just training at the SCG and rubbing shoulders with blokes like Adam Goodes, Paul Kelly and Michael O'Loughlin was a dream come true for me really.

BG: You weighed up a few offers after you got delisted before opting to head back to Bunton Park in 2002?

BP: I was thinking of staying with Port Melbourne in the VFL and had a contact in the SANFL who was keen to recruit me. It was tempting to head to South Australia but I was looking for work and the best they could do was 'come over here and we will find you something.'

BG: It proved to be a smart move to head back to Bunton Park because you win a flag under coach Corey Lambert against Wangaratta Rovers?

BP: Mark Hilton came back that year as well and Lambert was in his first season as coach. Lambert and Travis Hodgson were at their peak and we just had the right mix of youth and experience.

BG: It was a tight grand final with less than a kick in at the last change?

BP: I remember Jason Kerr bobbed up with a clutch goal from outside 50m in the last quarter which gave us the momentum. If you talk to Jason these days he is quick to tell you it was from outside 60m.

BG: In 2004 you played in a losing grand final against Wodonga?

BP: There is little doubt Wodonga were the better side and had players the calibre of Darren Bradshaw, Ben Hollands, Simon McCormick, Matt Shir, Jarrod Twitt and Leon Higgins.

BG: In 2005 you drop a bombshell and decide to follow Travis Hodgson to Myrtleford after he was appointed coach in a stunning coup by the Saints?

BP: There were some sleepless nights before I made the decision, I can assure you of that.

BG: What led to your decision?

BP: I was probably burnt out mentally more than anything after 10 years of never really having an off-season. I worked hard every off-season to keep weight on and got to a point where I was a bit stale and needed a different challenge.

BG: It sparked a recruiting frenzy once word spread that you could be leaving Bunton Park with Lavington, Wodonga and Wodonga Raiders also trying to sign you?

BP: It's amazing once clubs get wind of that you could be on the move, the amount of phone calls you get. I had a chat with those three clubs but 'Hoggy' should have been a car salesman because he could certainly talk the talk.

BG: Was money a big factor in your decision to join Myrtleford?

BP: Not at all, I was a big fan of 'Hoggy' and he also offered me a role as assistant coach which appealed to me.

BG: Previously you played most of your football on a wing and forward but 'Hoggy' was the first coach to utilise you as a running defender across half-back?

BP: That was another thing that appealed to me, a different challenge on the field.

BG: Did 'Hoggy' target any other Hoppers at the time?

BP: Matt Cavendon was the only other Hopper to my knowledge because he got dropped for the grand final in 2004.

BG: You had a raking left foot on you but weren't the most accurate kick for goal?

BP: I won the Hoppers goalkicking in 2002 but I would hate to think how many points I kicked that season. I think 'Hoggy' thought the same and that's why he wanted me in defence.

BG: You inherited the nickname 'Possum' during your time at McNamara Reserve.

BP: Because I was one of the few players living in Albury, I did a fair few interviews with Prime TV and the boys decided to dub me 'Prime Possum'.

BG: Myrtleford made a good first impression?

BP: The Saints are a fantastic country club which reminded me of Henty. The first two blokes I met were the president Bill 'Fox' O'Donohue and Tony Chapman who are ripping blokes and made me feel welcome.

BG: Would it be fair to say the Myrtleford supporters are the most passionate in the league?

BP: Definitely. It's hard to explain but the support shown by the Myrtleford faithful in those two grand final appearances in 2005-06 was phenomenal. They made you feel so welcome but I was only there when they were successful and not when they were doing it tough.

BG: It's always tough playing against your old side. Were there any incidents when you came up against the Hoppers?

BP: Not really, I remember I had to play on Dan Leslie the first time we clashed, so the Hoppers didn't do me any favours there.

BG: Big Andy 'Undies' Carey caught your eye when you first joined the Saints?

BP: I hadn't really seen big 'Undies' play until I got to Myrtleford. I remember we played a few practice matches and his ferocious attack on the ball. I just thought to myself 'it's going to be fun playing with this guy.'

BG: Myrtleford suffered a heartbreaking loss in the 2005 grand final after Darryn McKimmie sunk the Saints with a goal after the siren. How shattering was it for the players?

BP: Not winning that grand final is easily the biggest regret of my career. You try to ease the pain by telling yourself that they were in front for most of the match and had more scoring shots. But to lose after the siren, especially when the club has been starved of success for so long, was gut wrenching for all involved.

BG: You played in six losing grand finals throughout your career, I'm guessing 2005 hurts the most?

BP: To be in front when the final siren sounds and then to get beat, it's a cruel way to lose a grand final.

BG: Was there much controversy in the aftermath with people playing the blame game and pointing fingers?

BP: It was fairly tense for a while because everyone was hurting so much.

BG: Does the loss still haunt you?

BP: I have probably gone over the match more than 1000 times in my head and analysed what I could have done differently. Kade Stevens set-up the match winning goal from defence and I was playing on him late in the match and with hindsight probably should have followed him down to our forward line.

BG: The following year Myrtleford were blown away by Yarrawonga in the grand final when the Pigeons kicked 10 goals to one in the opening quarter with the aid of a howling breeze. Did 'Hoggy' stuff up tactically in that opening quarter?

BP: It's hard to say but we did drop players back. Yarrawonga dominated the clearances in that first quarter and by the time we addressed that it was game over really.

BG: You won Myrtleford's best and fairest in 2006?

BP: I may have been a tad lucky. I beat Paul Bunn by one vote after he missed the final round with a corked thigh. But I did rate it the most consistent season I had in the O&M.

BG: At the end of 2006 'Hoggy's' tenure at McNamara Reserve ended in controversy and he returned to Bunton Park as coach?

BP: I certainly didn't see it coming and expected to be at Myrtleford for at least another couple of seasons. I think Myrtleford made some empty promises about a job opportunity which didn't eventuate and led to his decision to return to Bunton Park.

BG: Was it an easy decision for you to follow 'Hoggy' back to Bunton Park?

BP: I didn't say yes straight away because I loved my time at Myrtleford and thought we had some unfinished business after getting rolled in successive grand finals.

BG: You suffered further grand final heartache in 2007, this time at the hands of Wangaratta?

BP: Make no mistake, Wangaratta were a good side but maybe that was a golden opportunity that we let slip.

BG: You played a lot of footy under both Lambert and 'Hoggy'. Compare the pair?

BP: They had contrasting styles and there were probably bits and pieces I took off both of them which I used during my own coaching career. Personally, I got along better with 'Hoggy' and was a lot closer to him after we used to travel down to Myrtleford together. I probably learnt more from 'Hoggy' and am grateful he offered me the assistant coaching job with the Saints. But don't get me wrong, they were both fantastic coaches.

BG: Lambert was big on fitness?

BP: His mantra was 'fitness is the key to football.' Lambert got us super fit and training was enjoyable because he introduced a lot of new drills and was innovative in that respect. A lot of his drills I used out at Henty when I was coaching.

BG: You were stranded on 199 matches at the end of 2010?

BP: I was probably ready to head out to Henty but 200 matches at Bunton Park is a fairly exclusive club which I wanted to join so I hung around for another season.

BG: The following season in 2012 you are appointed coach of Henty which was a long held ambition?

BP: Henty tried a few years beforehand so they were fairly happy when I said yes. It was a challenge that I wasn't sure I was ready for but decided to give it a go.

BG: Henty made the grand final against Osborne that season. A big talking point in the lead-up was the selection of Azzi medallist Jamarl O'Sullivan who had torn his ACL in the final round?

BP: When somebody does their knee you generally assume they are out for the best part of 12 months. But not with 'Sully' who is the only bloke I know who would consider playing with a torn ACL.

BG: Were you gobsmacked when you learnt he was toying with the idea of playing in the grand final?

BP: I was but he told me he had organised Paul Spargo to put him through his paces at Bunton Park on the Friday before the grand final and wanted me to do some contesting work against him.

BG: How did the big fella perform?

BP: Spargo and I put him through the wringer and were shaking our heads in disbelief on how well he was moving. He was hampered but it convinced me to pick him for the decider.

BG: You lose to Osborne, did you make the right call?

BP: We got what we expected out of 'Sully' and he was never going to be as influential as he normally is with the injury he was carrying. I don't regret the decision to pick him.

BG: In 2014 Henty won its first flag since 1996 against Walbundrie with 'Sully' and yourself co-coaches?

BP: It was three years in the making after two years of heartbreak. Things didn't go as planned the previous two years which made it sweeter when we finally won one. It was a proud moment personally, but just seeing the joy on the faces of the Swampies supporters was priceless for me.

BG: Your career ended on a sour note after you broke your leg against Murray Magpies in 2015?

BP: I still have vivid memories of the incident and I went up for a mark and my legs got taken from underneath me. As I was preparing to land, I looked at my leg and could see that it had been snapped and was dangling around. I didn't look at it again.

BG: It took more than 30 minutes for an ambulance to arrive. How much pain were you in?

BP: Your body goes into shock and you don't feel that much pain. The trainers also gave me the 'green whistle' which helped as well.

BG: Your career started and ended in similar fashion?

BP: It's interesting because my first and last matches of senior football were my two worst injuries of my career.