It does not erase the intense disappointment at losing his prized job as coach of Victoria, but Greg Shipperd is nevertheless rapt the Bushrangers have plumped for a former player and assistant coach of his, David Saker, to replace him.
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Shipperd's status as the Bushrangers' former coach is contrasted by him having still been at the MCG's indoor nets as recently as Tuesday, feeding the bowling machine to give practice to Matthew Wade and Rob Quiney.
"They've been really kind to me in keeping me occupied and ensuring my transition isn't as abrupt as it might otherwise be," said Shipperd, who has just been announced as Melbourne Cricket Club's inaugural academy coach.
The part-time role will allow him to mentor emerging players such as Seb Gotch, Sam Harper and Will Pucovski, and also the club's young female players, to help them make "a smooth transition, sooner rather than later, into long-form players".
Shipperd said the MCC move and a continuing influence on players such as Wade and Quiney were in keeping with "just trying to put some little pieces in place to keep me actively coaching, because I want to do it and have the passion for it".
The 58-year-old said he was "absolutely thrilled" Victoria's search for a successor had culminated with the appointment of Saker, who was bowling coach under Shipperd before departing for England about five years ago.
"I was always attracted to his personality around the team because he's really good with people and he's always played and coached with a passion that's right up there, so that will be good for the team going forward," Shipperd said.
"I'm glad it was David and hope that, in some small way, I can continue to help him out."
Shipperd has already been in contact with Saker, 48, and is keen to offer him as much information about the Bushrangers squad and head coaching in general before he formally begins – and afterwards too, if requested.
"We'll do a proper transition that give my two bob's worth as to the health of the squad that he's being handed," Shipperd said.
But the veteran coach stressed "it's going to be his show".
"He would intimately know my dossier and philosophy on how the game should be played, but I think it makes great sense for him and I to share some time in terms of me bringing him up to speed on all the players and where they're currently sitting with their games, and who's growing quickly and who needs to grow a little bit more, and the peculiarities of the various relationships in the group," Shipperd said. "They're all good pieces of information he can work with."
