John Worsfold made his name as a fierce defender and a leader of men. 

As a player, he led his team to two premierships.  As a Coach he took his team to the top of the summit in 2006.

Now he calls Essendon home.

Brendon Goddard has worked as closely as anyone with Worsfold this season.

The former Saint turned Essendon best and fairest winner was appointed Captain in January, three months after Worsfold was appointed Coach. 

“Woosha was quite serious at the start, we all thought he was a bit of a nerd,” Goddard said.

“He’s lightened up a bit, he’s actually got a real dry, funny sense of humour.”

Goddard said Worsfold has been able to create a workplace that is both enjoyable and professional.

“We sat down and focused on creating a fun, learning environment,” he said. 

“When it’s time to train, it’s time to train and we have fun away from that.

“As a collective we’ve done a really good job and I think that’s evident.

“Woosha has been the guy driving the bus so to speak.”

Like Worsfold, James Kelly has three premierships to his name.

He played under Mark Thompson and Chris Scott at Geelong before playing under Worsfold this season. 

“I think he’s a very smart coach, he’s a coach that’s very good with his relationships with players,” Kelly told SEN.

“I think that’s evident in the way everyone has been playing, the buy-in that everyone has had throughout the year, as well as the suspended guys and the number of them that have come back. 

“I think everyone’s had conversations with him throughout the year and they’ve obviously been impressed with him, as I was in January.

“He’s a strong relationship based coach, he empowers the players to make their own decisions and to educate them well enough so their instinct’s good out on the ground. 

“He’s big that you play on your instinct and that’s when you play your best and I think he’s pushed that the whole year.

“It’s been evident in the way a lot of young guys have had really good years.”