AUSTRALIAN Football at the highest level has undergone dramatic changes in the past 30 years.
Only a select few remained in the AFL throughout that period to witness the evolution up close, and one of them is Alan McConnell, this week's guest on AFL.com.au's new podcast Trends.
McConnell's worn many hats since he started as a coach at Fitzroy in 1991, including overseeing the Lions' emotional final AFL match in 1996.
The 62-year-old is now Greater Western Sydney's director of coaching, on top of being in charge of the Giants' AFLW team.
McConnell joins AFL.com.au reporter and Trends host Marc McGowan to discuss – among other things – the differences in the men's and women's game and how technology has changed coaching.
He also has a strong opinion on the new runner rules and the impact they're having.
Trends is a podcast for the hardcore and average football fan who wants to learn more about what they're watching each weekend – plus what's going on behind the scenes.
Podcast summary
1:07 – The differences between the men's and women's game
3:00 – Why an 'inside 30' should be an AFLW statistic
4:00 – Adapting to coaching female players
6:40 – What does a director of coaching do?
7:42 – Analysing coaches' box communication the next day
9:00 – Leon Cameron's qualities as a coach
11:55 – The sign you were a coach in the 1990s
13:02 – How teaching a player has evolved with technology
15:30 – Why the modern footballer is a superior version
16:53 – How runner restrictions are making coaches' job harder
