Bannockburn coach Ron Pilgrim says he consulted within his Tiger’s inner circle before recommitting for 2024

On the eve of another final run, a coach who led his team to the GDFL championship shared the strategies he uses to keep his team on the winning track.

While playing 319 games for Bannockburn, Ron Pilgrim was coached by a number of notable figures.

But before committing to 2024 as a senior mentor, Tigers games record holder, two-time premiership winner, and a team of the century half-back flanker Ron Pilgrim sought advice from those closest to him.

After previously coaching the team alone in 2007 and along with Ross Dillon in 2010 and 2011, this will be Pilgrim's third tenure at the helm.

After last round's 33-point victory over top-two Bell Post Hill, assistants James Chandler and Daniel Gibbs have also recommitted.

Pilgrim, who was a co-coach with Jack Brauman in 2022, said that this was the time of year when he would usually look at the team and decide "if you've got the group or if you need a different voice."

He has used his skill to get strong feedback from people who live in the same time as him.

Pilgrim said, "Sometimes you think things are going well, but when you look through your own eyes, that might not be the case."

"I ask a lot of people what they think is going to happen to me.

"You can always think you're doing well, but it's good to get some feedback from the people at the club."

Pilgrim said that was the best way to show the younger players the right way to play.

The underground services worker said, "I think my best skill is how I deal with people and how friendly I am."

"You have a chance to achieve if you can read people and bring out the best in them.

"The "first hello" is important to me.

If you can get everyone on the same page, you're already doing a good job as a teacher.

Pilgrim's best moment of the season has been watching "deceptive for his size" center half forward Josh Kunjka get better over the last five or six games.

"He's a very quiet introvert, but it's been one of the best things about this year to see him grow and come out of his shell," he said.

He has also been impressed by how Leigham Elzinga, James Hose, and Ryan Perkins, all 17 years old, have grown as people.

Pilgrim said that the Tigers had lost some games they were supposed to win, but that they were still close to the top three.

This Saturday at Victoria Park, the fifth-placed Tigers will play East Geelong in what could be one of the most important games of the year.

"We have a few minor injuries, but nothing major," he also said about their list of injuries.