One of the things that struck me about him was that he always looked angry after losing a match - these days coaches hold back and seem to be consoling everyone.

Despite his obvious care for the players it was clear they were there to win at all costs and the players followed. Players of lesser talent like Dean Chiron (who would have been lucky to get a game in any other VFL side back then) were regulars.

His teams were always said to be playing above themselves, which is the greatest complement a coach can get

John Northey must be a life Member of the Club

Fix it up Glen...

On 9/22/2020 at 9:42 AM, dl4e said:

Our best coach since Norm Smith.

Perhaps MFC could get a full interview with John to discuss his years at the club.

On 9/25/2020 at 11:01 AM, spirit of norm smith said:

John Northey  - bloody legend.

Coached Dees for 7 years - 167 games  54.2% win rate. It’s probably the most successful coaching rate of any of our coaches in the last 56 years!! 

Demons should welcome him back into the fold. 
 

Great stories.  Great bloke to have a beer with. So real.  
 

Yes Edelsten was a “goose” though I’m sure swooper would call him more expletives if he wasn’t on TV!!! 

He still is, I used to smoke until covid so I'd duck out for a dart 3 or 4 times a day in the heart of Melbs. On 3 separate occasions I saw the "great man" getting out of a low slung sports car in skin tight pants, high heeled sequin boots and dyed black hair. He could hardly walk he is so old, it was hilarious.

Do any of you remember the first time he coached Melbourne? If my memory serves me correctly it was at the MCG on a very hot 30 + day against Fitzroy. At quarter time the Fitzroy players stood in the middle of the ground in the sweltering sun, Northey on the other hand ushered his players to a small area of shelter under the shadow of on of the MCG’s light towers. They all had to huddle in but it proved temporary relief from the very hot sun. I remember being very impressed at the time! Gee this man really cares: a sentiment I held all through Northey’s coaching career.