Crows ambassador Darren Lehmann had a simple focus when he returned to cricket - make sure his players were having fun.
In Thursday night’s edition of FOOTYplus, brought to you by Toyota, Lehmann opens up about his new coaching gig and his resignation from the Australian team.
“It’s the way I have been all my life, making sure you’re having some fun,” Lehmann told FOOTYplus.
“It’s pressurised on the field for them, so off the field we need to make it fun.
“If we make sure they’re playing with a smile on their face, they’ll play well.”
Lehmann was snapped up to coach the Brisbane Heat for the 2018-19 Big Bash season after resigning from the Australian team following the ball-tampering scandal.
“I suppose what happened was a big disappointment for everyone,” Lehmann said, about the incident.
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A brief stint in commentating rekindled Lehmann’s passion for cricket and he jumped at the chance to coach Brisbane, despite having to face old friends from Adelaide.
“On the ground you try and beat them, but off the ground you’re mates and you have a beer,” he said.
Also on FOOTYplus this week, Australian BMX champion Sam Willoughby visits the Adelaide Football Club and discusses his journey since the training accident.
AFLW premiership players tell all on what happened after their second Grand Final win, including who was the best on the dance floor.
Heading 800 kilometres west of Adelaide, FOOTYplus visits Koonibba, home of Australia’s oldest indigenous football club.
FOOTYplus airs tonight on 7, following the football, and will be available to stream on afc.com.au and 7plus following the broadcast.