New coach on the block: Shepparton export and Richmond senior coach Adem Yze during a training session at Punt Road Oval in November. Photo: AAP Image
Sport has a unique way in unearthing old memories and forgotten emotions.
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Footy, in particular, can conjure up feelings and recollections from even the smallest of acts.
Whether it’s the touch of an old leather Sherrin, the smell of Deep Heat lingering in the changerooms or driving past your old home club ― it’s hard to find anyone who doesn’t get sentimental.
For Adem Yze, he is no different.
The Shepparton United product, who is halfway through his maiden pre-season as senior coach of an AFL club, experienced his own moment that evoked flashbacks to his teenage days.
It came only days after his announcement as Richmond mentor in September.
Yze ― one of the Goulburn Valley’s prized exports with 271 games for Melbourne before an excellent career in the coaches’ box ― was back where it all began.
He found himself amongst the crowd at Deakin Reserve on the region’s biggest days of the football calendar.
He was there, not because he didn’t want to miss an annual Goulburn Valley League grand final experience, but to cheer on his younger brother Ramadan (Rum) in Shepparton United’s reserves decider against Seymour.
Yze said it was a memorable week.
“Yeah I did (get along to the grand final), it was only a couple of days after I was announced as coach,” the 46-year-old said.
“I obviously had a few things that had to get done, but it was really nice to get down to watch Rum, but also watch the GV final in general. I used to watch it as a kid and it’s a big day.
“It was a nice opportunity to take Noah (son) to the footy, sit down with Dad and just shut down for a bit. It was a really nice afternoon; a fantastic result for the reserves, great seeing Rum kicking those goals ― the old man was happy, you couldn’t wipe the smile off his face.”
Although less than six months old, it is a fabled grand final.
Like any legendary decider, the ressies clash was a corker on the field and full of storylines off it.
The Demons, Yze’s junior club, clawed back an 18-point three-quarter time deficit to defeat an unbeaten Seymour outfit and claim the club’s first reserves silverware in 10 years.
Yze would boot three goals in a stunning fourth-quarter comeback to win the Peter Ryan Medal.
“I remember I walked past him at three-quarter time to go and stand behind the goals (at the Harold St end), and walked past and said ‘surely this is your last game? If the runner comes out tell him you’re staying on’,” Yze said.
“We were sitting behind the goals because we’d been following Rum each quarter and it was weird, it felt like I was 16 again, sitting up behind the goals and putting your arms up when a person lines up for a shot.
“It was great for our young fella to experience that, see his uncle still doing what he’s doing at 40, and enjoy that with his family ― that’s what country footy is about.”
That weekend will live long in the memories of the Yze clan.
However, it wasn’t long until the AFL’s newest coach had to turn his attention to plotting out how to clinch the Tigers’ 13th premiership.
Yze has spent the past decade patiently biding his time as an assistant coach at two successful clubs in Hawthorn and Melbourne.
He was at the Hawks for their three-peat and he helped his beloved Dees end their premiership drought in 2021.
The former gun utility, who could play down back, on the ball or up forward, highlighted how his passion for coaching first came about.
“Late in my career Neale Daniher gave me some opportunities to sit down with him during pre-season ... he’d give me the opportunity to speak my mind and I got a sense that it (coaching) could be a path after my playing career,” he said.
“I spent a season at Box Hill Hawks as assistant, then went to Shepp and played at Shepp Swans and Mooroopna.
“Those two seasons were a blend of playing with my two brothers and my mates and the coaching element was really important. I tried to be a game day coach for both teams and it was something I was really passionate about.”
Progression through the ranks saw him land an assistant coaching gig at the Hawks, before he joined the Demons on the eve of the club’s historic 2021 premiership.
Happy days: Adem Yze poses for a photograph in his new colours after he was named coach of Richmond in September. Days later he was back in the Goulburn Valley cheering on younger brother Ramadan in the reserves grand final. Photo: AAP
With an impressive CV under his belt, Yze opted to toss his hat into the ring on a couple of senior coaching gigs, only to painfully miss out on both.
“Looking back, it’s been pretty full on,” Yze said of the past couple of years.
“I’ve had some amazing times at two footy clubs in Hawthorn and Melbourne.
“It was a bit of a whirlwind going for a couple of senior coaching jobs, getting close and just missing out, so when I saw the opportunity to go for the Richmond job I was a bit reserved.”
Yze revealed that his initial hesitation receded as he got a feel for the environment he was stepping into.
“I had to really think about it; the selection process takes it out of you ... but once I got into the process and met the panel, I had a really good feeling and I’m really lucky and grateful to have been selected,” the first-year mentor said.
“It’s been awesome so far, there was a fair bit to get sorted when I started ... obviously I expect more responsibility in the role, but I’ve got some unbelievable people to lean on, a few have been leaders at footy clubs, so I’ve got terrific support around me.”
Richmond will begin its 2024 campaign on March 9 against Gold Coast in the AFL’s Opening Round.
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