Geelong great Jimmy Bartel says he was surprised to see Corey Enright depart the club to take up an assistant coach role at St Kilda.
Enright, who has spent over two decades at the Cats as a player and assistant coach, will join the Saints to work under head coach Brett Ratten in 2022.
Bartel says considering where Enright lives and the success he’s had at Geelong, it would’ve been “pretty hard” for him to change lifestyles in order to accommodate a full time job at Moorabbin.
“The change of assistant coaches does have an immediate impact because you have fresh ideas and you get some external thoughts,” he said on Sportsday.
“As coaching staff, you try and estimate what other sides think you are if they were looking at you and you get that as a reality when you bring in new coaches.
“It refreshes the group, especially when they’re coming in as line coaches. Corey (Enright) and Matthew (Scarlett) has served a number of years.
“Corey Enright (leaving) was a big surprise for me because I know how well he’s settled down in Geelong, not only in the football club but in life. He lives five minutes from the club so it’s pretty hard to leave that.
“It’s a big lifestyle adjustment but it’s great for the Saints, I played 15 years with the guy and he’s one of the most unbelievable players.”
Enright won three premierships with Geelong, while also being named in the All- Australian team on six separate occasions.