The right people to help you achieve your dream.
HAD Football (Holistic Athlete Development) has put together a team of professionals who know the game better than anyone else.
Each individual has a background in either football or coaching, and plays a critical role in holistically developing our athletes.
We take the time to invest in not only their skills and ambition, but their mental and physical wellbeing too.
Brad Jenkinson
Brad started HAD in 2016 and works extremely closely with all athletes, understanding how to take their strengths to the next level, and what areas need improvement.
Brad loves working with dedicated individuals, focusing on all
aspects of their life to work towards the best possible outcome.
Simon Dalrymple
Simon has been involved in the AFL industry his entire career,
starting as a player and moving into recruiting at the
Western Bulldogs, Sydney Swans and now currently at St Kilda FC.
With a keen eye for talent and in-depth knowledge of the
recruiting market, Simon helps HAD athletes focus on the right
positional traits for AFL & AFLW.
Zach Merrett
Zach is Captain of the Essendon Bombers and a multiple All-Australian. Zach is an integral part of the HAD Team, providing unparalleled insights into how the game is evolving and more importantly how to adapt to those changes.
Hard work and responsibility are two traits Zach instilled that enabled him to get onto an AFL list, and then excel from there.
His guidance is pivotal to all HAD athletes.
Our Team
Leadership Team
Bek Comand
Bek moved into football after starting her career in pharmaceuticals and healthcare. She has since worked at the AFL and in the AFL Talent League with the Northern Knights, and is a premiership captain at Old Scotch Football Club. At HAD Football, she oversees operations and business, helping aspiring AFL and AFLW footballers reach their potential.Football Operations & Business Manager
Bella Rennick
Head of Athlete Health & PerformanceBella is an Accredited Practising Dietitian and Accredited Sports Dietitian, specialising in performance nutrition and female athlete health. She built HAD Football’s physical benchmarking system and leads the health and performance side of the program. On the field, Bella is a premiership player with Mt Evelyn Football Netball Club.
Jack Rhodes
Athlete Wellbeing Manager
Rhodesy helps HAD athletes build the mental skills to perform under pressure, through one-on-one sessions, group workshops and work alongside coaches. He brings AFL Talent League experience, more than 15 years as an educator in Victorian schools including as Head of Physical Education, and a background in high-level cricket.Luke McDonald
Co-Head of CoachingLuke is a current North Melbourne player, former club captain and Best and Fairest winner, with 236 AFL games to date. He works directly with HAD athletes, sharing real-time, first-hand experience of what it takes to perform at the highest level, with a particular focus on mindset and overcoming mistakes.
Donald McDonald
Co-Head of CoachingDonald’s journey through the game is as complete as it gets. A former AFL player, he went on to serve as an Assistant Coach and later Chief of Football at North Melbourne, giving him a rare, well-rounded view of what it takes to succeed in the AFL. At HAD Football, Donald works closely with our coaching group to shape how we develop players.
Coaches
Liam Shiels
HAD Midfield Line CoachLiam is a three-time AFL premiership player and Hawthorn Life Member who played 288 AFL games across Hawthorn and North Melbourne. A former Hawthorn vice-captain, he was renowned for his courage, consistency and team-first approach.Liam works with our HAD Long Term Athletes on their Midfield Craft.
Jack Silvagni
Jack is a current AFL player with St Kilda, having played 151 games total (128 for Carlton) . A versatile tall who has played at both ends of the ground, he now plays in defence for the Saints.Jack works with our HAD Long Term Athletes on their Defensive Craft.
HAD Defender Line CoachGary Rohan
HAD Forward Line CoachGary is a 2022 AFL premiership player, with 204 AFL games and 216 goals across his time at the Sydney Swans and Geelong, including four grand finals. Known for his elite speed and forward pressure.
Gary works with our HAD Long Term Athletes on their Forward Craft.
Chris Worner
HAD Football CoachChris brings over a decade of coaching experience across junior and senior football to the HAD program. Currently Head Football Coach at Scotch College Melbourne (10A) and Senior Coach at Oakleigh Amateur Football Club (VAFA Division 1), Chris also spent six seasons as Head Coach of the U16 girls at Chelsea Junior Football Club.
Evie Parker
Evie is a former HAD client and current AFLW player with Fremantle, selected with pick 38 in the 2024 AFLW Draft. A tall, athletic wing, she came through the Eastern Ranges in the Talent League, played VFLW with Box Hill and represented Victoria at the AFLW Under 18 Championships.HAD Football Coach
Georgie Brisbane
HAD Football Coach
Georgie is a former HAD Long Term Athlete and current AFLW forward with Fremantle, selected with pick 14 in the 2024 AFLW Draft.She captained the Eastern Ranges in the Talent League and represented Vic Metro at the AFLW Under 18 Championships where she was Co-Captain.
Jasper Peace
HAD Football CoachJasper is a key defender with Claremont in the WAFL, having come through the club’s Colts program before breaking into League football in 2024. He has since played more than 35 League games and become one of the competition’s most reliable stoppers, regularly taking on the opposition’s most dangerous forwards. Jasper was named in WA Football’s top 25 WAFL players aged 21.
Jai Dalrymple
HAD Football CoachJai is an experienced HAD Football coach who also works in talent identification and assessment in the AFL. His work on the recruiting side of the game gives him a clear understanding of what clubs look for in emerging players. Jai brings that insight directly to HAD athletes, helping them understand where their game sits and what they need to work on to give themselves the best chance of being noticed.
Georgia Knight
HAD Football CoachGeorgia is a former HAD Long Term Athlete who worked with us for two years on her pathway to the AFLW, before being selected by Collingwood with pick 26 in the 2024 AFLW Draft. She kicked 27 goals in 16 Talent League games for the Eastern Ranges and earned Under 18 All-Australian honours with Vic Metro.
Ben Jarmen
HAD Football CoachBen leads HAD Football’s work with our South Australian athletes, helping them develop their game and everything that comes with it, both on and off the field. He made history as the Adelaide Crows’ first ever father-son selection in 2016, and represented South Australia at the Under 16 and Under 18 National Championships.Our Values
We only work with accountable individuals and
teams who are responsible for their own actions,
and therefore results.
Accountable
We are honest, working within the
realms of our knowledge and experience,
so we demand our clients are honest with us in return.
Honest
Value
Value yourself, others and the resources you have to
help you grow.
Things will stand in your way,
test you and knock you down.
From here you have two choices.
Our clients don’t choose the lay down option.
Resilient
Leave your ego
at the door
A pre requisite when you come to work with us.