Courage and resilience resonated with Kirk over 241 games for Sydney from 1999-2010. That he managed his final 200 games consecutively despite playing the game with the voracity of a hungry tiger is testament to this.
His first challenge at Freo was to earn his colleagues’ trust and then impart some of those trademarks that made him one of the most respected figures in the game.
“I am really enjoying helping them see areas where they can improve, and there is no doubt I am building some strong relationships within the playing group and coaches,”
Kirk says.?The Swans have been one of the most successful sporting organisations of the past decade, and Kirk is grateful to be back working in a high-performance culture. Obvious to him has been how driven everyone at Fremantle is to succeed.
“There is no doubt that, every minute, things are looked at and we are really drilled down on how we can improve,” he says.
“What really stands out is how accountable the players are held to everything they do.”
It’s his former assistant at Sydney, Ross Lyon, and the Freo coaching team that Kirk credits for driving the club towards a culture of success through their meticulous preparation and over-analysis.
“It’s all about attention to detail. I think my work ethic is strong and I really want to improve myself, and there is no doubt being around Ross, it’s about having a really strong attention to detail in everything we do,” Kirk says.
“It’s putting a microscope (on everything) and then finding where things aren’t working, or why they are, and then breaking it down.
“I think that’s the thing that’s really propped me up.
“You can just see in my first? few months here how individuals are starting to grow and I’m really enjoying my role. There is no doubt that coming in with an experienced coaching list has really helped that.”
Renowned for having one of the greatest work ethics, Kirk likes what he sees in a number of the Fremantle players.
Hayden Ballantyne is one that’s surprised him.
“I knew he was a great small forward, but his work ethic at training and his sprint distance and efforts, one after the other, have been impressive,” Kirk says.
“Michael Walters, who had a break out second half of the year (in 2012), has continued his great form. He trains really hard and there is no doubt he will continue to grow.
“Stephen Hill does a lot of unrewarded running in training and game simulation and Nick Suban is someone who has probably had one of his best pre-seasons and that’s fantastic.”
He’s spent year after year in the midfield coalface, but Kirk has not yet experienced the helter-skelter of an AFL home and away season from the coaching box, so the next big challenge is just days away.
“For me, it will be the first time stepping into the box, but I’m just really looking forward to it,” he says.
“I’m sure there will be some challenges to manage in terms of all the things going on, and that’s something that’s new to me, but I’m really looking forward to it and?I just cant wait for footy to kick back into gear.”
For now Kirk plans to meet every challenge as it presents itself and continue learning from Lyon, a man he says hasn’t changed much since he first met him back in 2004.
“Ross is honest and has strong integrity, and that’s always stood strong with me. He still has a great sense of humour and I’m really enjoying working with him,” Kirk says.
“I’m learning a lot because he’s a really knowledgeable man."
“There is no doubt, I think I’ve made a super decision coming to Fremantle.”
