Coach's Corner With Googs

While it seems like just yesterday 30+ Dingos were braving the Toronto Winter to get to the Polson Pier dome to kick off the 2025 preseason, round one of the 2025 AFL Ontario season against the Ottawa Swans is less than a week away (3pm at Humber South).

Recently President and Head Coach Justin "Robbo" Robertson wrote about the growth of the playing list in the Dingos Download, which currently stands at 51. Included here are a bevvy of new Canadian talent such as Arran Chambers, a 6'8 former Canada Volleyball player from Edmonton, and three former Western University lacrosse players in Dallas Clancy, Zenon Sirko and Rowan Kelly, alongside many more.

With a host of talent new to the sport joining us this off-season, we caught up with development coach Justin "Googs" Moore to discuss the development of both the new and returning Canadian players ahead of season 2025.

MH: "You've worked closely with this group of guys that are new to the sport for the past 4 months now. How would you characterize the overall skill development and adaptability to new skills you've seen across the group during this period?"

JM: "Over the last four months, I’ve been really impressed with the skill development and adaptability of the new players. A lot of the boys have been progressing at a rapid pace, which is incredibly exciting to see. They’ve adapted quickly, especially considering that, due to the weather, our pre-season is much shorter compared to what we’d typically have in Australia.

What’s even more impressive is how the boys have transitioned from training in a dome to outdoor sessions with such ease. This speaks volumes about their work ethic and dedication. Both myself and the other coaches are incredibly proud of the group."

MH: "What particular training methods or approaches has the club implemented that might be unique, and how have you seen these methods translate to on-field improvement throughout the preseason?"

JM: "The club has implemented several new initiatives:

1. Extra Weekly Sessions:
Additional training sessions have been introduced each week, specifically targeted at boys with 1–3 seasons of football experience. These sessions are designed to focus on skill development and understanding of the rules, in a more relaxed environment away from the main group. A special session at Humber has also been added to give the boys a chance to familiarize themselves with the ground before Round 1.

2. Team Group Chats:
Multiple group chats have been set up for the boys. These serve as a space for general conversation, asking questions, sharing fitness tips, and having a laugh. This constant communication has played a key role in keeping the group connected, motivated, and progressing together.

3. Pre-Season Camp in London: The pre-season camp in London provided an excellent opportunity to break down the fundamentals of Dingos football and set clear expectations for the year. More than just a training weekend, the camp served as a valuable bonding experience, further strengthening the club culture and camaraderie among the players.

MH: "What are some of the common obstacles those new to Aussies Rules face, and how have you seen these players overcome them?"

JM: "One of the main challenges we’re facing is the uniqueness of each skill involved in Aussie Rules. It’s a one-of-a-kind sport, and many of the new players are encountering these skills for the first time. There are few, if any, transferable skills from other sports to rely on, which makes learning the game from scratch particularly challenging.

Another hurdle is understanding the many rules of AFL, which are also quite unique and can take time to grasp. Lastly, the fast pace and continuous nature of the game can be overwhelming for newcomers and add to the learning curve."

MH: "As you know, we love giving the Dingos fans some insight into how we're developing local talent. Can you share a memorable moment from training or a match that exemplifies the spirit and potential of this new group?"

JM: "I love this question, but it’s tough to pick just one memorable moment. That said, the intra-club match down in London really stands out. The intensity of the game was unforgettable—it was a hot footy, fast-paced match, and seeing the tackling and pressure from the first-year boys was awesome.

Another highlight for me, as the Development Coach, has been the work ethic of the players. Every Tuesday and Thursday, the boys come up and ask questions about how to improve, always striving to get better—even if it’s just by 1% at a time. For example, one player spent the past year working hard on his kicking, and now that his technique is solid, he’s looking to improve his ability to kick while running at pace instead of slowing down. The fact that they’re always asking questions and seeking feedback is just fantastic to see.

I honestly can’t wait for the season to kick off and to watch all these guys in action."

If you’re interested in trying out a new sport and want to join the Dingos, please contact Justin Robertson at recruiting@torontodingos.com.

Want to know more about Aussie Rules Football? Check out these videos.

Want to learn the necessary skills to play Aussies Rules, check out our skills guide.