BALLARAT Football League legendary goalkicker Dan Jordan has been appointed to a VFL coaching role, leaving behind a lasting legacy at East Point.
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The decorated full forward will join the Essendon Bombers as a VFL forward development coach.
His decision to hang up the boots and take the part-time role will bring the curtain down on the career of one of the BFL’s greatest goalkickers.
Jordan bows out after a stellar 2013 season, in which he was named BFL coach of the year, was awarded BFL mark of the year, won the Tony Lockett Medal as the BFL’s leading goalkicker and was voted The Courier BFL player of the year.
The six-time BFL leading goalkicker joined his brother Ben at East Point in 2006 and had an immediate impact on the competition.
In the same year, he was joint Henderson Medallist with Redan’s Jarrod Edwards as the BFL’s best and fairest and won the BFL goalkicking award with 148 goals.
He went on to kick more than 100 goals in a season on three occasions, playing 126 senior games for the Kangaroos.
Jordan told The Courier the move was partly due to a mounting work schedule, which meant he was unable to fully commit to playing football.
“At BFL level you need a full commitment to the game and I don’t want to keep a young bloke out and play every three or four weeks,” Jordan said.
The 33-year-old held various coaching roles for five seasons, including the past three years as head coach.
“Absolutely, with a sad heart I go. I spent eight years there, but there comes a time when you have to go. I’m 33 this year and it’ll always be a big part of my life,” he said.
“I’ve made the decision to move on and it’s going to be hard.
“It (the opportunity) came up out of the blue and I thought I’d give it a chance. Work is my number one priority at the moment and obviously football isn’t, but I’ll be doing a bit of coaching at the highest level a couple times a week.”
East Point football manager Rick Wilson said the club admired Jordan’s focus on junior development.
“He would have to be one of the greatest full forwards in BFL history,” Wilson said.
“We are happy that he has been given the opportunity to further his coaching at Essendon.
“His loyalty was unquestionable at a time when he was knocking back offers from across Victoria.
“He has been instrumental in helping the club develop our juniors. There were 22 junior players that came through and played senior football under Jordan in 2013.”
david.jeans@fairfaxmedia.com.au