Gary Ayres is a former AFL player and champion of the Hawthorn Football Club who now has become a successful and established coach of the Port Melbourne Football Club.
Ayres boasts one of the most decorated playing and coaching resumes you will come across.
During a 16 year playing career at the elite level, Ayres would play 269 games, win five premierships, be the first player to win two Norm Smith medals as being judged the best player on the ground on grand final day, win Hawthorn's best fairest in 1986, represent Victoria on multiple occasions, captain the team in 1992-1993 and subsequently be named in Hawthorn's Team of the Century in the back pocket.
He has then gone on to forge just as decorated career in the coaching caper. Becoming senior coach of Geelong Football Club in 1995, he would lead them to a Grand Final in just his first year at the helm and remain coach until 1999 before crossing over as senior coach of Adelaide Football Club in 2000 - 2004.
In 2007 Ayres was inducted into the Australian Football League Hall of Fame for his contribution and success to the game.
If that wasn't enough, Ayres took over as senior coach of Victorian Football League standalone club Port Melbourne in 2008 and remains in that position today. In his 12 seasons, Port Melbourne have played in 11 finals series and won two premierships.
During our conversation, Gary talks to me about his football journey, a defining moment where he almost left Hawthorn Football Club to play down in Tasmania and how he has tried to replicate the successful culture of the Hawthorn playing days to Port Melbourne today.
Gary provides an insight into the glory days of the Hawks and his mindset to achieving success both as a player and a coach.
Please enjoy this engaging and informative discussion with Gary Ayres.