AT 58 and with a decorated playing and coaching career behind him, you would think Mark Sinnott would have faced most challenges football could throw at him.
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But Sinnott is thriving in the role as coach of Mininera and District league defending champion Lismore-Derrinallum.
Until last season, Sinnott had not been part of a premiership, but that all changed when the Demons defeated Tatyoon in the 2015 grand final.
The win was the Demons’ first senior premiership since their merger in 1999.
For the first time, the Demons and their coach have been cast in the role of the hunted, rather the hunter.
It is a scenario Sinnott is happily embracing.
“I have always enjoyed a new challenge and it is exciting to face up to another one at the ripe old age of 58,” Sinnott said.
“I suppose at my age you should mellow a bit, but that competitive edge stays in your system. The boys have been great, we lost a few players but have three or four new blokes who have come across from Ballarat, so that always creates excitement.
“We lost our first game against Hawkesdale-Macarthur and in a way that was good for us. Going into the start of the season there were a few nerves and a bit of anxiety so I think that game settled us down.”
Since that opening round loss, the Demons have won their past four games.
Last Saturday, they got home in a thriller, defeating Penshurst by one point. Ryan Elliot kicked five goals and James Boag was best for the Demons, while Taylor McKenry continued his strong form for Penshurst.
In a game that was not for the faint-hearted, Sinnott was happy with the performance of his players.
I suppose at my age you should mellow a bit but that competitive edge stays in your system.
- Mark Sinnott
“It was a really hard, tough game,” Sinnott said.
“It was two teams who wanted the same thing going hard at at each other. I was very proud of our boys and the way they took on the pressure of the game and came out with the win.”
Lismore-Derrinallum is one of four teams with a 4-1 record with Penshurst, Hawkesdale-Macarthur and Tatyoon the others. The competition pace-setter is Wickliffe-Lake Bolac which remains the only unbeaten team after five rounds.
“It is a really good competition, it has stepped up again this year,” Sinnott said.
“There is a challenge to deal with each week, it keeps you on your toes.”
