New Hawthorn assistant coach John Barker admits it ‘feels like home’ to be back at the Hawks.
Barker played 113 games for Hawthorn before spending the last two years under Ross Lyon as a forward coach at St Kilda.
But he says he jumped at the chance to return to the club he called home for nine years as a player.
“I mentored a few of the guys while I played here and spent so much time here, it feels like home. When the offer came I considered it pretty strongly and felt it was the right move,” he said.
Barker will take charge of the talented Hawthorn forward line and while he doesn’t want to tamper too much with a winning formula, he does have ideas on how to improve from the 2008 premiership.
“They’re an outstanding group and they play well together. They did a great job this year and while I don’t intend to change things too much there are bits and pieces I hope to bring to the table that will help tweak bits and pieces of their game and provide them with new challenges and new goals to set their sights on,” he said.
Barker said he learnt plenty in his two years at the Saints and enjoyed the responsibility of being an assistant coach.
“I learnt that assistant coaching is hard work. I picked up a lot and coaching is a lot different to when you’re playing in terms of being able to deconstruct games and work at different levels,” he said.
“It’s been something I’ve enjoyed and something I am looking forward to doing back at the Hawks.”
Barker spent his twilight years as a player in a mentoring role for up and coming young forwards Lance Franklin and Jarryd Roughead.
He said seeing the pair improve was a fulfilling achievement he hopes to build on.
“I enjoy the coaching (better than playing) and helping to improve players,” he said.
“It is something that gives me a bit of a buzz. I’m looking forward to getting stuck into that here.”John Barker playing career:
Fitzroy 1994-96
Games 47
Goals 12
Brisbane 1997
Games 8
Goals 1
Hawthorn 1998-2006
Games 113
Goals 114
