By Tyler Lewis
Whenever a Pakenham Football Club team sheet read ‘In: Michael Holland, Darren Hillard’, the Lions were bound to be a six goal better side.
And while the decorated pair certainly won’t be lacing up in 2023, ‘Jock’ and ‘Lachie’ have joined forces with recently re-committed senior coach Ash Green, in an attempt to propel Pakenham back to the premiership promised land.
Holland and Hillard will stand alongside Green as his assistant coaches next season, where Holland feels there is an abundance of upside in a young group.
“The club obviously isn’t in a position that it’s used to being in I suppose, in my time and my era we were lucky enough to be very successful” he said.
“The way the club has performed – and that’s no one’s fault – it’s just what’s happened, so they asked a few of us older blokes to come back and get on board.
“We want the club to get back to get where it belongs, so we’re pretty keen to get back and get our hands dirty.
“There’s a core group of young kids that don’t need to be taught – but the basic fundamentals have to improve, from what I saw.
“It’s exciting… it might seem like the club is a fair way away because they haven’t played finals this year, but I actually think they’re a bit closer than everyone thinks.
“If we get a few things right, on and off the field, then I am sure we can climb our way back to the top.”
While he will have plenty to offer from an on-field perspective with a trophy cabinet bursting at the seams with accolades, Holland will focus more intently on the culture of the club, both on and off the field.
“It’s more creating an environment where the boys can thrive,” he said.
“The culture has to be strong, which means discipline on and off the field has got to be better than anyone else.
“It’s not so much the way they play, you’ve got to come up with a game plan that suits the team and until you finalise your list it’s hard to change that.
“But it’s more creating that environment where the boys can thrive, I think they’ve got to buy into that too… premierships aren’t just given out, they’re earned.
“If they work hard and knuckle down, I think the rest will take care of itself.”
Holland further reiterated the importance of culture, revealing it played a ‘main’ role in his era’s string of success.
“I think it’s the main thing,” he admitted.
“Don’t get me wrong, back in our time we had some very good players… but we were also very tight as mates off the field.
“When things got tough on the field and the game was on the line, I knew the blokes I was standing next to were thinking the same way.
“Not only on the field, they go hand in hand, if you are strong off the field, you’ll be strong on it and vice versa.
“Pakenham is starting to get back on track a little bit…if we can get it all right I think culture will play the main role in being successful.
“If me and Lachie can play a small part in that then it will be great for everyone at the club.”
With the relegation of Officer and promotion of Gembrook Cockatoo, the outfits in the top flight of Outer East will be: Narre Warren, Woori Yallock, Wandin, Monbulk, Olinda Ferny Creek, Monbulk, Upwey Tecoma, Mt Evelyn, Gembrook Cockatoo and Pakenham.
