DARYN CRESSWELL, KEN HINKLEY NEW COACHES
B Jensen October 28 2003

FORMER GEELONG Captain Ken Hinkley and Sydney Swan Daryn Cresswell have been appointed Geelong's new Assistant Coaches. Cresswell and Hinkley beat the likes of Garry Hocking and Leon Cameron to the job. Hinkley joins other former Captains Damian Bourke and Andrew Bews back at the club.

Hinkley, who retired in 1995 after being co-Captain for the season, recently won the Geelong & District Coaches Association Coach of the Year Award, after coaching Bell Park to the 2003 Geelong Football League premiership. Prior to coaching Bell Park, Hinkley had a short stint under Malcolm Blight at St Kilda, before Blight was famously 'Terminated' in the first year of a two year, $2Million contract.

Hinkley began his career with Fitzroy, debuting in 1987 and playing 11 games in two seasons. He moved on to Geelong in 1989, where he played another 121 games. Hinkley soon developed a reputation throughout the AFL as a very reliable half back flanker, and came close to winning the 1992 Brownlow Medal. He represented Victoria in state of origin and was named in the All Australian team, twice. He was made a co-Captain of the club, along with fellow greats Barry Stoneham and Gary Ablett, when Garry Hocking resigned as captain early in 1995. His final AFL appearance for the Cats was in the ill-fated 1995 Grand Final, where he spent much of his game-time in the unaccustomed position of the forward pocket.

Daryn Cresswell retired after season 2003, after playing 218 games for the Swans. Cresswell was originally drafted by Geelong from North Hobart, but never played VFL/AFL for the club, other than a handful of under-19s games. He returned to Tasmania before heading to the harbour city, where he made his name as a rugged midfielder after debuting in 1992. Cresswell retired with an average of just under 25 possessions per game, a wonderful performance. With a desire to relocate to Torquay, Cresswell is visiting Geelong this Wednesday.

Links:

Daryn Cresswell Career Stats (AFL Tables)
Ken Hinkley Career Stats (AFL Tables)
Daryn Cresswell Player Profile (Sydney Swans)