‘Unleash the Giesch!’ – Jarrod Gieschen appointed Big V Premier B-Division 3 coach

The VAFA is excited to announce that former Old Ivanhoe premiership coach Jarrod Gieschen will lead the Big V Premier B-Division 3 team against the Goulburn Valley League at Elsternwick Park on Saturday, July 11.

Jarrod takes over from Luke Mahoney, who led the team to consecutive wins over Bendigo FNL in the last two seasons and has returned to clubland as SKOB’s Director of Coaching in 2026.

Gieschen, who was a 2005 premiership player with the Hoers, coached them from 2018-25, including the 2023 Premier C flag, and is pleased to have the opportunity to stay involved with the VAFA after stepping back due to heavy family and work commitments.

“One of my boys is 11, and the other is turning 9 next month. The 9-year-old only knows me as a footy coach. As they get more serious about their sport, I want to be more involved in their development. I’m coaching both their cricket teams at the moment, and I’m all in for Under 9s footy next year!

“With Old Ivanhoe being in such a strong position, I feel like it’s going to be in good hands. The culture there is fantastic, the leadership group is brilliant, and the Naish family will do a good job coaching.”

The opportunity to get involved with the Big V is the perfect next step on Jarrod’s footy journey.

“I just love the VAFA, and I’m very proud of my association with it. I truly believe the competition is one of the strongest in Australia, so the opportunity to represent the whole competition is something I’m honoured to have.

“And secondly, I just love coaching. It’s addictive, but I just couldn’t commit the time throughout the year. So, having a period where I can focus on one game with a smaller block of training, and still have the chance to impact some footballers and work with good people, is a really good balance for where my life is at the moment.

“I haven’t been involved in senior rep footy before. I’ve seen a lot of teammates pull on the Big V when I was playing, as well as players I’ve coached. But I’ll have my Dad Jeff supporting me. He’s got plenty of rep footy experience, and he’s another reason I’ve committed to this.”

Jeff played 24 games for Footscray from 1974 to 78, as well as 150 games with Maffra, representing the Latrobe Valley League on 15 occasions, including as captain in 1981.

He then embarked on a coaching career with Maffra and Wodonga before coaching West Perth and Richmond through the ‘90s.

He served as Senior Assistant Coach to Jarrod during his 8 seasons at Old Ivanhoe, and together they will lead the Big V as an experienced coaching duo.

“Jeff’s 70 this year,” said Jarrod. “He’s fighting fit, and we just love working together, so to have another opportunity will be great.

“We’ve also signed Anson Brownless as an assistant coach. We had a great rivalry against Old Camberwell until he stepped away last year. Once I started to get serious about the Big V job, I gave him a call, and the timing was perfect for him as well.

“He also played up in the Goulburn Valley League for Echuca, so he knows the area well and will have a few spies for us.

“Plus, we have Anthony Quon, who coached Hampton Rovers into the finals, and was the assistant at Ormond last year when they went undefeated all the way to Grand Final Day. He brings knowledge of the Bayside teams, as well as Div 1 and Premier C.

“We’re going to look closely at each and every grade and have eyes on all of it. We’re building a strong support structure to do that.

“I’m extremely excited and proud to be representing the VAFA, and the competitive juices kicked in almost immediately. We want to present the VAFA in the best possible light, and we know the Goulburn Valley is a serious competition and will be a big challenge for our group.

“We also feel a bit of responsibility because Luke’s done an incredible job over the last two years. He and his whole support crew built an amazing connection amongst the group, and we saw it when they won in overtime. So, it’s not like we have to go in, reset, and start again.

“We’re building on a foundation that they have set up. Luke and I have already had a couple of conversations, so continuing that legacy will be really important.”

Jarrod is fully aware of the differences in coaching rep footy.

“I’ve had some experience coaching some pretty high-end players, and having guys coming from different systems with different knowledge and ideas, you’ve just got to guide them and steer them in the right direction to identify and play their role. 

“I’ve only got the group for five or six weeks, so it’s not about developing an overly sophisticated game plan. It’s more about making sure that the group is connected. We lean into the strengths of our group, and everyone knows their role.

“I saw last year that 10 players had also played for the Big V the year before, so this team has had a pretty good core group of players as a starting point. Our job as coaches is to make sure the group gels, bonds and connects with a clear focus and direction. And that’s what I love. I can’t wait to get the group together and get them really wound up!

“We’re expecting it to be a very fast-paced game, and we’ll lean into what we believe the DNA of VAFA footy is – hard and fast, quick tempo, clean ball movement. We’ll definitely be playing to our strengths. But that being said, we expect that Goulburn Valley will be similar, based on their experience on big grounds.”

What’s on Jarrod’s wish list when he and his coaching panel start scouting players?

“Good quality character is just a given. I think this is an opportunity for players on the rise to play at this level and get noticed. Boston Dowling did that last season.

“We’re looking for players who are eager to push themselves hard, and we also want to reward people who have been custodians of our competition – played at a high level for a long period of time, no matter what grade they’re in. We’d like a good mix of youth on their way up, combined with some great experience.

“Anson and I have already had a couple of conversations, but we’ve got to keep reminding ourselves that the game is in July. We’ve got to calm down a bit! But we can’t wait to get started.”

The Big V Premier B-Division 3 team will face the Goulburn Valley League at Elsternwick Park on Saturday, July 11. Further details regarding player nominations will follow in the coming weeks.