On paper, it shapes as an awkward assignment . . . coaching VFL club Coburg in the final year of its alignment with Richmond.

But, for new coach Tim Clarke, it’s a challenge he’s relishing, as the 2013 season fast approaches.

Clarke, who also is a Richmond development coach, has a straightforward philosophy that he’s putting into practice.

“The focus of our footy club, given the situation in 2014 (when both Richmond and Coburg will go it alone in the VFL), is to develop the Richmond players as well as we can, so they can perform at the highest level in the Richmond senior team,” he said on SEN.

“And, it’s also to work with all the kids that have committed to the VFL Coburg list, to make them better players, give them some of the education that’s coming down from Richmond.  

“Hopefully, at the end of the year, a handful of those guys might be pushing for AFL lists themselves.

“That’s our biggest focus this year.”

Clarke, who played 96 games for Hawthorn from 2001-08, and was a development coach at Tigerland from 2010-11, before spending a year overseas, believes Richmond’s off-season recruiting will have a very positive, flow-on effect at Coburg this season.

“The way that Richmond recruited, with some of the mature rookies that they got on board, definitely helps at the depth at Richmond, but also at VFL level,” he said.

“That’s going to be very good for some of the young guys on our list . . . an 18-year-old looking at playing with a 26-28-year-old, that’s either played VFL for 10 years, or played AFL for four or five.

“Some of those young guys coming up and playing with the AFL boys can make a huge difference with their footy.
“It really does help with their development.”