FILMMAKERS often get to do cool things in the process of putting together a final study of a subject. In compiling material for The Chosen Few, his documentary on the life of elite-level coaches, Peter Dickson managed to arrange for five of the game's legends to meet in the one place for a sandwich and a cuppa, some laughs – and critically for those who love footy history – the sharing of wisdom and tall stories, and some surprising self-analysis.
Dickson dedicated the best part of a year researching, filming and editing The Chosen Few, which aired nationally on Channel Seven before this year's Grand Final.
He spent time in coaches' homes and offices, travelled in cars and on planes with them, picked the brains of their spouses and partners, and generally observed how coaches conduct themselves in a tough, relentless and sometimes unforgiving business.
But the process of organising Ron Barassi, John Kennedy, David Parkin, Leigh Matthews and Denis Pagan to meet on a winter Friday afternoon in the one place – the rooms at Toorak Park in Melbourne’s inner south-east – remains one of Dickson's highlights.
The five – members of the Australian Football Hall of Fame – coached a combined 2249 games and 17 premierships (from 28 grand finals).
There's very little they didn’t witness during their tenures; their successes were tempered by failures and moments of self-doubt, and they had to balance the roles of psychologist, father-figure, mentor and career-killer. They did this while generally leaving their personal and family challenges in the background. Tragically, some had to confront the death of a beloved player. We tend to forget those matters when we let ourselves believe simply getting the four points is the most critical thing in the game.
Although the minute detail of some past events might have escaped the coaching legends, the quintet relished the opportunity to share, compare, sit back in awe and acknowledge. They queried and ceded, argued and debated, and the competitive streaks that marked their careers were never far away.
"They loved it. We could have filmed for a lot longer had we had the time," Dickson said. "The footage is priceless."
Four moments from the five-way chat have been captured exclusively for AFL.com.au and will be published in coming days, with other material from the legends’ roundtable featured in a DVD version of The Chosen Few.
To find out more about The Chosen Few, go to sportsdelivered.com.au. The DVD is also available at Target and JB Hi-Fi.
WATCH THESE PRICELESS MOMENTS (on AFL.com.au)
Making the hard calls
Coaching legends discuss the heartache of dropping a player for a big game.
Click here to watch it now
What makes a 'great' coach
Barassi, Kennedy, Matthews, Parking and Pagan debate what separates good coaches and the elite ones.
Click here to watch it now
Men of influence
Five coaching legends recall impressions of their first League coach.
Click here to watch it now
Being part of the 'football family'
Coaching greats talk about their responsibility to the game
Click here to watch it now
