These are the coaches mentoring and challenging next-generation players to cope with the elite rank, the added match intensity, and to perform.

They are rarely in the spotlight and yet it is their job is to ensure players are striving to reach their full potential – the players the club hopes will set their future in premiership stead.

Ballarat Football League legend Dan Jordan, former East Point captain and coach, is the latest from this region’s paddocks to earn such a role. He follows North Ballarat Rebels coach David Loader, who signed with North Melbourne in late September and former Rebels coach Chris Maple, now Western Bulldogs’ head of development.

Jordan retired from the BFL to join Essendon’s Victorian Football League arm as a defensive line coach for season 2014. His new brief is to build on this. Jordan will work closely with first to third-year players under Bombers’ AFL defensive lines coach Mark Harvey.

He must fast-track these young guys for AFL football. This is more than just making sure they understand game plans. Jordan is making sure these young Bombers can physically and mentally execute game plans under increased intensity.

There is no one-fit model for AFL development coaches. Essendon has Matthew Egan as both head of development and VFL head coach. Western Bulldogs opted to split duties.

Maple joined the Kennel from the Rebels in 2009 as a development coach when the Bulldogs were aligned with VFL club Williamstown. He was appointed the Bulldogs’ first head coach of a relaunched Footscray VFL arm for season 2014 and led the club to a flag. This year, the Bulldogs created a new head of development role. Maple oversees the Bulldogs’ entire emerging band of pups, without demands of leading a VFL team into battle.

Either model, the emphasis is on overlap. Preparation.

Maple and Loader took an AFL pathway via the TAC Cup under-18s. Jordan’s pathway was less conventional. He had played VFL with Geelong but arrived at Windy Hill after a lengthy stint in grassroots football.

Jordan told Press Box the coaching principles were the same. As Kangaroos’ captain and particularly as coach, he was always keen on developing under-18s and working with the Roos’ then-disjointed junior arms. You want the tone at the top to filter through. A dedicated development coach has the luxury of focus.

“An elite environment has fantastic resources and facilities, but I don’t think a lot changes,” Jordan said. “Being connected with players and imparting one-on-one knowledge where they can improve – all coaches aspire to that, no matter what.”

Development coaches must know what each youngster is capable of producing and the role they can deliver. Their job takes time in an environment that demands instant results.

When a young player steps up and takes the game on, a development coach’s patience and investment is rewarded. They are assured the club’s future is bright.