There comes a point in an AFL player’s career that he decides to hang up his boots and move onto the next phase of his life.
For two recently retired Swans – Jude Bolton and Marty Mattner – that next phase hasn’t strayed too far from the field with the pair still very much involved in the game.
For Bolton, it’s a role in the commentary box, while Mattner has picked up the whistle and whiteboard as a Swans’ assistant coach.
Bolton, who played his last game in the Swans’ preliminary final loss to Fremantle over in Perth, has this year begun his media career in the commentary box and as a boundary rider with Channel 7 and Triple M.
While Bolton’s match day routine for the previous 15 seasons has included team meetings and warm-ups, his new role requires him to do just as much homework on opposition teams as well as on the Swans.
“It’s all about preparation and making sure you know all the ins and outs of all the possible line-ups,” Bolton told SwansTV’s Beyond the Boundary.
“It’s also the analysis of footy and that’s something you go through as a player in terms of backs, forwards and mids, so you’ve got to watch the previews of the games so you can see what you can pick up.
“You’ve certainly got to be prepared because the viewer and also the listener are pretty savvy about their footy these days.”
Jude Bolton on his lap of honour at the SCG on Sunday enjoying life post football
Mattner, who ended his playing days ahead of round ten last season, has also experienced big changes in his new career as the Swans’ assistant midfield coach.
“One of the differences between being a player and a coach is all the planning that goes into it,” Mattner said.
“You realise there is some as a player, but you don’t realise just how in-depth the coaches go into it.
“The vision and the behind the scenes stuff is what you really don’t see as a player.”
For Mattner, the Swans’ early season matches were the biggest learning curve, with the former defender learning the ropes on the job.
“Round one was good because I’d had the pre-season in terms of getting into the coaches box and seeing how it was all done,” he said.
“I was still very nervous in round one for other reasons I guess, like whether I’d prepared properly and told all the players what’s going on and given them all they needed to know.
“I’ve been lucky enough to have a lot of help from the other assistant coaches, but it’s really been a big learning experience and an eye-opener for me.”
Bolton, on the other hand, had to contend with providing an unbiased view during the Swans’ round one clash with GWS, which he admitted was difficult given the result of the match.
“In round one I was in the commentary box for Triple M doing special comments with those guys, and to sit back and watch (the Swans) get beaten by the cross-town rivals was very tough to watch,” he said.
“It’s always a little bit tough judging on your ex-team mates, but that’s the nature of the business I think.”
While the former Swans still work on match day and travel interstate, both Bolton and Mattner believe the biggest bonus of retirement has been having more time with their young families.
Mattner, who was forced into retirement with a degenerative hip injury, said he has enjoyed being able to move freely and play with his son, Oscar, in retirement.
“The thing that I’ve seen the most is being able to run around a bit more with Oscar and those sorts of things,” he said.
“Also, not being so sore after a game, so now Sunday we go down to the park and have a run around, which is something I really enjoy.
“I guess in the end that was one of the reasons why I retired so I could still run around in a few years’ time and spend time with Oscar.”
While early mornings are still part of Bolton’s new role, he said he’s also enjoyed more time with his little girl, Siarra.
“I have been lucky to have a lot more family time,” Bolton said.
“I don’t know about having a sleep in because I do have a little two-year-old daughter.
“My wife Lynette is also expecting another one in September, which is really exciting to go with our little girl Siarra.”
