This Good Friday, Coburg’s current Captain and longest serving player, Jesse Corigliano will play his 100th VFL match against Williamstown at Highgate recreation reserve in Craigieburn.
‘Rigga’ joined the Lions for the 2015 season, securing the final spot on the club’s list. He spent majority of his first two years bouncing between the development side and his local club Strathmore, before debuting in Coburg’s senior side at the end of 2016. From his debut match to his upcoming centenary game, Jesse has proudly worn the Coburg Jersey, embodying the values and spirit of our club with each game. Flashing back to 2015 Coach Peter German says ‘Jesse was a raw talent when he first arrived at Coburg. Often trying too hard on the track which forced him to make errors and this put him in a position of being cut from the list, however he ended up with the last spot on our list that season. His commitment to turn up every session and his genuine athletic ability kept me always thinking there could be a quality player down the track. His determination and perseverance to work on his game eventually got him a spot in the team and his love and loyalty for Coburg has made him a cornerstone of the team for many years now.’
Over his decade at Coburg, Jesse has left a lasting mark alongside countless teammates and under the guidance of four esteemed coaches. After the departure of Peter German, joined Leigh ‘Patch’ Adams. In 2019, Patch appointed Jesse as the clubs co Vice Captain, which began Jesse’s leadership journey, ‘All you want in a team mate and leader of your football club is for them to be loyal, reliable and honest. When I think of that team mate and leader of the Coburg footy club I think of Jesse Corigliano’
After winning Coburg’s 2022 Best & Fairest, Coach at the time, Andrew Sturgess, along with the playing group chose Jesse to be Coburg’s Captain.
‘Jesse in many ways was always destined to lead Coburg one day because his story, his character, epitomises what it means to be a Coburg Lion. On one hand he has always been the underdog, he has always had to scrap and find a way, yet on the other hand he is humble, personable and relatable.
I know how proud he will be pulling on the jumper for game 100, yet I also know it will be no more proud than the 99 before because every opportunity he gets to pull on the jumper and represent Coburg is special and important to him. That’s why he’s our captain’ said Andrew Sturgess.
Jesse has received several accolades which is a credit to his dedication and commitment to not only the club but VFL football.
- 2016 Eric Lyons Development B&F
- 2018 Carnell Leadership award winner
- 2019 VFL Team of the year
- 4x Vice Captain
- 2022 Jim Sullivan Best & Fairest winner
- 2023 & 2024 Captain
- 2023 Jeff Angwin Most Courageous winner
Now in his second year of Coaching Coburg, Jamie Cassidy McNamara can clearly see why Jesse was chosen to lead the team. ‘Jesse’s ability to contribute on the field has clearly been really strong across his time at Coburg. He plays brave as a defender; intercepts and uses the ball well, and is happy to put his body on the line. As importantly, Jesse’s capacity to create and maintain a connected and inclusive environment is as impressive as any leader I’ve seen, particularly considering how transient VFL football can be’.
Although Coburg has not had the success the club may have hoped for over the past decade. Jesse’s loyalty to the club has highlighted just how important stand alone VFL clubs are. Reflecting on his time at Coburg, Jesse said ‘It hasn’t been easy at times, I didn’t play much footy early days and was pretty low on confidence, as well as the lack of on field results at the club are things that have been tough, so to have lasted this long is something im proud of. It’s easy to look from the outside and maybe poke fun at the lack of success but I have genuinely enjoyed every part of the journey and working to improve. I don’t think I would feel this way if I was to have moved around, even if it resulted in more wins elsewhere, I’m glad I have stayed the course at Coburg. I love the club very much and there is nothing more important to me than achieving more on field success and changing the external perception that we are just making up the numbers. In saying this I am so grateful to have made so many great relationships and friendships that will be with me for the rest of my life, and at the end of the day those are the things I will be most fond of when I look back at the end of my career.
Just behind Jesse is Harry Nolan & Mitch Podhajski who are currently our 2nd & 3rd longest serving players. Currently a Vice Captain, Mitch spoke about his relationship with Jesse over the past 6 years. ‘Jesse has been a wonderful team mate and friend to me while I’ve been at the club. He has always driven the culture building aspects of the football club and continues to do a good job of it, making Coburg a place where players, coaches and other staff enjoy coming to. He is an incredibly caring person that feels genuine excitement and happiness from others achieving things both on and off the football field.’ Echoing Mitches comments was Harry ‘Jesse drives the standards of the club, never cuts corners, always has time for all the players and staff at the club, and does everything he can to make Coburg a welcoming and enjoyable place for all. I’m extremely glad to be able to have such a great relationship with him, and call him a great mate’.
Finally, Jesse touched on a few people he would like to thank, who have supported him in his journey to 100 VFL games.
“All of my four coaches:
- Firstly Germo who helped me become quite resilient
- Patch, who I arguably played my best footy under
- Sturg, who massively developed my leadership by helping me understand and learn more about myself, teaching me things that will extend long past my football career.
- Jamie, it’s only been a year but I have learnt heaps about what a professional environment looks like and raising standards/ sacrifices required to do this.
- I also wanted to mention Seb, who has been around for a huge part of my career, thanks for your support.
Over the years, I’ve had a long long list of team mates, literally hundreds. Coburg has always been an awesome environment to play footy at even when we were on the end of some tough results. I’ve been lucky to maintain some Important friendships that extend past footy especially Peter, Ex, Dicko, Harry, Mitch Pods and Sandric.
I feel as eager to play footy and compete as I did starting my VFL career so I want to thank the group we have currently for making me so motivated, especially the ones I’ve played a couple of years with. I am really enjoying my footy and the environment at the club currently is awesome and im really looking forward to the year/s ahead.
Lastly my family, Mum/Dad and Danny/Bronwyn, you’re all super supportive, attending every game including most of our interstate games, functions and supporting every aspect of the club. My mum and dad specifically thanks for all the late dinners, washed footy clothes, game reviews, advice etc. You’ve been there through ups and downs of footy. Squids, you’re the most supportive person I know and it’s unreal to have someone so invested in whatever im doing and the team’s success. As much apart of the club as I am these days (part of the furniture) which is a testament to how much you care about what I’m doing. Thanks specifically for late dinners, early breakfast, lack of time together on weekends during footy season. Love you.”
On behalf of the Coburg Football club, we would like to congratulate Jesse for reaching this unbelievable milestone. Jesse’s journey to 100 games is a testament to his perseverance, loyalty, and unwavering dedication. Coburg fans, although we may not be at Piranha Park, join us post match upstairs in the Highgate room’s to celebrate Jesse’s milestone.
