This season, we’re turning the spotlight on a different club each week, finding out more about their coach and president. First cab off the rank is Western Magpies coach, Craig St John.
Check out our video chat with Craig St John here.
It will be hard for Craig St John to top his predecessor in his first season as Western Magpies senior job.
Coming off his coaching highlight, winning a premiership with the side as an assistant last year, St John has taken the reins this season.
His footy experience, having played over 400 games in four different states, has helped give him confidence in the role.
St John is an old school kind of guy, a fan of old western movies and he loves cricket and golf when footy’s not in season.
However, there is a new age side to him, which some might be surprised to know, harbouring a fondness for cooking.
His favourite foods are pretty traditional in seafood or steak and if he ever got the chance to cook on Masterchef, he would dish up some type of seafood.
St John is a Hawthorn fan and, true to form, nominates Alastair Clarkson and captain Luke Hodge as his favourite AFL coach and player at the moment.
While he is a Sherwood boy at heart, having played juniors there, St John coached at South Brisbane and Hermit Park in Townsville before returning to the Magpies’ stables.
And after working as reserves and development coach and as an assistant last year, St John has been put in charge of the senior side this season, and is hoping to continue the side’s recent success.
His passion for sport extends to spectating too, with St John spending plenty of time watching his kids play when he’s not calling the shots in the coaches’ box.
