Winis Imbi wants to help Port Fairy create history.
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The eight-time premiership player and coach has signed with the Seagulls as assistant to coach Dan Nicholson.
Imbi is well aware that Port Fairy, despite having sides full of undisputed talent, has not won a premiership since 1958. In fact, that ‘enigma’ is the very reason he took on the job.
“I remember seeing the faces of the Heywood players and the community members after breaking a long drought back in 2012 – there were genuine tears and unbridled emotion,” he said.
“I recall sitting with my brother (James) at the club later that night and seeing such joy on everyone’s faces. I leaned over and whispered to him that ‘this is what it’s all about’.
“It’s one of the purest and magical moments of my footballing life where I realised that winning a flag was much bigger than winning a premiership trophy.
“I’d like to see that happen at Port Fairy – not for me, but for Nico (Nicholson), the playing group both past and present, their partners, their families, the supporters and for the community itself.”
Imbi, who has coached Heywood, North Gambier and Portland, said he watched in awe as Koroit won the past five premierships.
Now the former Essendon and North Melbourne rookie wants to help Port Fairy end the Saints’ dominance.
“The intellectual property that exists in the league tantalizes me,” he said.
“Adam Dowie, Chris McLaren, the Koroit players and administration need to be commended on what they’ve created – not just in terms of winning flags, but the culture, game style and education that go into achieving such feats. The processes created there are exemplary for any organisation.
“For me though, it’s about creating a system with Nico and the other coaches that’s not ‘Koroit’ football – but something unique that challenges Koroit and all other sides in the competition.”
The full Q&A interview – With Nick Brown & Winis Imbi.
NICK BROWN: You're stepping into a senior assistant role, after so many years of being a senior coach is that difficult?
WINIS IMBI: I’ve always tried to team player where my role is to serve to those around me – to make others better. That mentally was established after I finished playing league football, where it was about getting noticed and trying to get trying to play AFL football.
The senior assistant role is new, but fundamentally it’s the same as being a senior coach or player – and that is to make everyone confident in themselves, and what ‘we’ can be as a team.
NB: What attracted you to Port Fairy and what are you hoping for the club to achieve?
WI: It began with the league itself and my brother James joining in 2017. In his own words, he wanted to see what wi‘all the fuss was about’. Coming to watch in my spare time gave me an insight into the high standard and the game style which created some intrigue.
A close friend of mine in John Bell joined Port Fairy last year as well. Throughout the year, he would be giving insights into what the club were doing on and off the field. It also spoke volumes of the club that his family ‘loved the place’, and that he re-resigned considering his connections back home in Heywood are very strong.
The enigma of the club attracted me as well, because Port Fairy has undisputed talent, yet it hasn’t won a flag since 1958. I remember seeing the faces of the Heywood players and the community members after breaking a long drought back in 2012 – there were genuine tears and unbridled emotion.
I recall sitting with my brother at the club later that night and seeing such joy on everyone’s faces. I leant over and whispered to him that ‘this is what it’s all about’.
It’s one of the purest and magical moments of my footballing life where I realised that winning a flag was much bigger than winning a premiership trophy. I’d like to see that happen at Port Fairy – not for me, but for Nico, the playing group (past and present); their partners; their families; the supporters; and for the community itself.
NB: What are you hoping to achieve personally?
WI: The intellectual property that exists in the league tantalizes me. Adam Dowie and Chris McLaren; the Koroit players; and administration need to be commended on what they’ve created – not just in terms of winning flags, but the culture, game style and education that go into achieving such feats. The processes created there are exemplary for any organisation.
I met with both men earlier in the year, and they were so giving of their time and knowledge. For me though, it’s about creating a system with Nico and the other coaching staff that is not ‘Koroit’ football – but something unique that challenges Koroit and all other sides in the competition.
Above all else, I just want to make other people better.
The thing that excites me most, is the playing list seem hungry for change, and want to maximize their talent for the collective good. Although I haven’t met with the entire list, a meeting with the McCartney brothers was enlightening on multiple levels.
It’s exciting for the club if these players have a growth mindset in terms of playing, and their leadership. For example, if Sam can improve his defensive efforts, and aerobic fitness, he will always be relevant, even if he remains goalless.
He can play high and low providing headaches for an opposition teams if he becomes multi-positional – not just playing out of a goal square.
As for Xavier, he’s nearly completed the second book of his life in Paul Roo’s ‘Here it is’. If he becomes a better leader, his game and those that follow him will rise to another level as well.
NB: You'll be working with Nico who is in the early stages of his coaching career. How important do you think it is to have someone with your experience there to help guide him?
WI: I’ve had many great mentors over the journey, and still rely on several people in different facets of my life. Regardless of what stage you’re in, you need other people. It’s like a line from John Donne’s poem where he states ‘No man is an island entire of itself’. In life we will need each other, and I’m sure the same will be for our coaching relationship.
Guidance may be part of the role, but as my mentors have done too – they’ve challenged me; instilled confidence me, or simply been there to listen. All facets of having someone you trust implicitly are important.
In saying that, I still have much to learn just as I have things to impart.
Both of us will have our strengths and our weaknesses, but if we create an environment where the strengths can flourish and our weaknesses enhanced, it will serve us, and the playing group really well.
Hopefully my experience (successes and failures) will allow Nico and the other coaches to grow into the best version of themselves. The hope too is that Nico can trust the processes we’ve created, which in turn, enable him to focus solely on playing his role, and for the game to be fun for him as well. Being a playing coach can be burdensome, but if Nico is free of mind, then his opponents should be concerned.
NB: Lastly - can you confirm for me how many flags you have played in and coached during your career?
WI: I’ve been blessed with 8 flags over my career, two which have been coached. Portland (2008) and North Gambier (2016). In same breath, I’ve lost 5 grand finals as well. Aberfeldie (2001-2002); Heywood (2013-2014); and North Gambier (2017).
To be honest though, it’s not about the premierships – it’s about the lasting relationships you forge with people that last forever. My time at Portland, Heywood and North Gambier have taught me that, and it’s something I’m looking forward to creating at Port Fairy… that and a chance at history.
