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Blues Brothers #6 - Jason Cain

Monday, 20 April 2009

In episode #6 of BB - We've targeted one of the most important players and staff the Blues have. As a member of the Blues executive, he puts in a tremendous amount of work both on and off the field. He has got some of the tightest hamstrings going around. He is a massive proponent of our players respecting the Blues playing jumper and definitely of their own playing number! He wears the #6 jumper. Yes he's the man in charge on game day - Our one and only coach - Jason Cain.

BB: Welcome to the BB hot seat Coach. We've been pretty excited to get into you here at BB. And there's been plenty of fans out there who have wanted to get stuck into you. So we'll get stuck into it - as we have some serious questioning to do! So how have you rated the Blues season so far in terms of your expectations going into 2008? Any surprises in terms of the development in the players coming back from previous campaigns and the 2008 recruits? Any stand outs in your mind?

Coach: My expectations this year were for us to play consistent footy and earn the opportunity to play in finals. I knew the start of the season would be tough but I thought we played reasonable football. Clearly our game against the Demons was a big turning point and we are on track now. I would have liked us to be at least 4-3 but 3-4 is still a massive improvement on previous years so I am still happy. We still have a long way to go in the season and we are improving every week so I am really looking forward to what's ahead. I am not particularly surprised by the development of any of the players. People need to realize that only 2 of our Canadians really had any footy experience when the club started 3 years ago. Now we have a solid core of Canadians that have played 20-30 games and with that experience comes huge improvements in understanding, fitness and skill. There is probably no doubt that our Northwind guys have also benefited from their extra trainings and games as well. We are also lucky enough to have had some very successful years of recruiting and I am still amazed at how easy some of the rookies pick up the game. The greater the player numbers, the better the team because there is competition for spots which drives guys. It is difficult to select individuals for special mention because there are so many but guys like Jared and D2 who only played a couple of games last year, are absolutely dominating this year. Mackey is someone who continues to improve. Then there are some 2008 rookies like Slater and Darren who are naturals. Combined with the already strong Canadians and Aussies in the team, this year we have developed some real depth which is great.

BB: Exciting times for the Blues and their fans! You've always been big on the Blues respecting the Blues jumper (Eg. Not leaving them lying on the ground) and also of players taking ownership and pride in their playing number. You wear the #6 - any extra-significance in you donning this number?

Coach: Not really. I actually wanted #19 when I first joined the Blues because it was the number I wore at home, but it was already taken. Instead I opted for #6 because it was once the number of one of my favourite Richmond players, Mark Chaffey, who was a local boy where I grew up in Melbourne.

BB: The Blues squad are probably as deep as it has ever been in terms of numbers and quality of players - making it pretty tough to manage playing time for the squad. Is that the toughest job as being coach? What would be the other tough tasks a coach has to do?

Coach: Definitely. I want everyone to get a decent go. Unfortunately, when I'm playing I find it very difficult to manage the interchange. Luckily, I have plenty of great support from some of the injured guys in the team who do a great job on the sidelines when they can't be out on the field (OBI, Andy and Richo in particular). The other tough task is selecting the team - for which there is a selection committee that helps me out. The downside of having great player numbers is that not everyone can get a game and it isn't much fun telling guys they didn't make the side. Fortunately the introduction of Rec Footy means every Blues player who wants a game can usually have one so that makes things easier.

BB: Our sources have been hard at work in getting some background info on you. Turns out you're relatively new to footy - but you have such a tremendous amount of knowledge about the game. How do you account for this?

Coach: I'm new to footy in a playing sense but I've always loved watching the game and playing in the park with friends. I started playing club footy when I was 24 because a new club started just down the road. I thought I'd give it a crack and loved it. I think I only played about 15 games of footy before I came over to Canada - I've certainly played more footy in Canada than I ever did in Australia. When I started playing footy it was a steep learning curve - not so much the skills but more the strategy and understanding how to play different positions. I was lucky enough to play with some really good, experienced players and under a very good coach so I learnt a lot very quickly.

BB: Before footy, tennis and cricket were your passions. With tennis probably taking the nod as you played it since you were an "ankle-biter". Your parents tell us at BB that they're still paying off some loans they took out in order to pay for your tennis gear. How many tennis racquets did you smash in your career? And is it true you only stopped smashing them when told you were paying for your own racquets?

Coach: Ummm.....not too sure. There were quite a few. When I ran out of racquets I would borrow my Dads or my sisters and inevitibly end up smashing those as well. Unfortunately, I'm not sure I ever stopped smashing them. When I had to pay for new racquets I opted for getting the smashed ones repaired because it was cheaper. I think after breaking the same racquets several times each (beyond the point that they could be repaired again), I decided it might be best that I just stop playing tennis altogether. It is something I am very embarrased about. I am definitely not proud of that at all. I am still extremely competitive but would like to think I have better self control these days.

BB: Hilarious. We never pictured you to be so agro Coach! Love it. Now what was your highest achievements with your tennis and cricket careers respectively? (Don't be modest either - as some certain proud fans of yours has given us the full extent of your past achievements in both tennis and cricket - club championships, hitting winning runs, centuries etc etc.)

Coach: Ummm....this shouldn't be too hard because I don't have many. I think my highest achievement in tennis was a team effort - we made a pennant final to finish 2nd out of 56 teams or something. It was a long season to get to that final but was a lot of fun - we were so close to winning the whole thing. Otherwise it was probably winning a night grand final. I always enjoyed the team achievements more that the individual ones. Cricket was definately hitting the winning run in the grand final. After my tennis carrer I took up cricket so was about 24. I was not very good at all. I was one of the best fielders and could wicketkeep but couldn't bat or bowl to save myself. We were batting second in the grand final and I was the last batsmen in. The scores were even which meant that if I went out the opposition would win the grand final because they finished above us on the ladder during the season. The confidence was not very high because I was coming off 3 ducks (scores of zero) in a row. Fortunately the bowler dropped one in short so I was able to play the only shot I knew how to - the pull shot. It was a good feeling. I hate being crap at sport so before the next season I got my friend to teach me how to bat properly and I would practice in the batting nets. The first bat the next season I scored 108 after previously having a top score of 7. That also felt pretty good.

BB: Our BB Special Rumours Task Force has also been working overtime for some serious dirt! Now we don't want to start any rumours or anything. But is it true that you (thanks to a big night on the VB the night before) "threw away an (almost certain Glenvale Tennis) Club Championship" losing to "one of the weakest players in the competition" 0-6 0-6 in the Mens Singles match. Care to give us the story as to the events which lead to this pathetic showing? (We at BB hear Mrs Cain wasn't too impressed... And that Mr Cain Snr was also in the doghouse for it too.)

Coach: Hmmm.....another particular moment I'd rather forget. I think the day before was the EDLF Grand Final (the local footy comp) which is always a big day on the beers. My friend was playing in the grand final (his team lost) so I went back to their clubrooms that night and they threw a massive party. It wasn't pretty. The tennis match was a joke. I was still so drunk that I barely won a point. I was utterly embarrased. Needless to say I had a point to prove the next year and when it came to playing the same guy I reversed the outcome with pretty much the same scoreline.

BB: Had you actually won like you should have (according to Mr Cain Snr) it would have been your 6th title had you won it. Any regrets?

Coach: It was pretty disgraceful and embarrasing. I feel as though I let people down so I regret that. I don't care so much that I lost the match.......but I do care about way in which I lost it.

BB: Now you're going to become a father in a few months time. Congratulations from BB, to say it's pretty exciting times would be an understatement. Now a long ways in the future talk here, but who from the Blues organisation would you NOT want your child to grow up to be like? And who from the Blues organisation WOULD you like the child to grow up to be like?

Coach: I don't know that there is anyone in the team who I wouldn't want my son to grow up like. The Blues is a collection of a great bunch of guys. However, I would not want my daughter dating someone that is like any of them (great guys.....but not that great). There are plenty of guys who I'd be happy for my child to grow to be like but its hard to go past OBI's friendly persontality, D2's determination, Jacob's committment, Carl's unbridled enthusiasm (but on ADD medications), LA's toughness and Hollywood's fashion sense.

BB: Haha - love the comment "great guys.... but not that great". Definitely keep any future daughters away from the guys. On a sad note we understand a family pet recently passed away. (Harry the Hampster?) How long was Harry a part of the family for? What were his best and worst traits? Any other pets at the Cain household? Coach: We decided to embrace the Nth American culture and get a hamster soon after we arrived so he was about 2 years old. He was very entertaining. I would put him in his hamster ball and he would roll around the apartment for hours every night. His worst trait was that rather than dirty his cage, he figured out that if he pointed a little higher he could clear the sides of the base and piss down the wall. I eventually overcame this with some strategically placed plastic. To make things really interesting, we got a kitten (Misty) about a year ago. They actually got on pretty well and would chase each other around the apartment.

BB: For this instalment of BB's one-words-worth - we thought we'd get your thoughts on some of the Blues new faces this season as to the type of player you see them as and type of current Blues player you would like them to model themselves towards but be better.

Coach:
Daniel Sokal......passionate.............Jacob Sone
Elliot Chun.......machine..............Jared Postance
Jason Caissie ......enjoyment..........Bridle
Darren Bridgewater.......tough...........OBI
Nick Discenza.......persistent................Matt Clow
Jay Ellis.........natural................LA

BB: The Blues play the Dingoes on the 12 July. It's a very winnable game and one which the Blues should consider as an 8-point game as this result could mean the Blues sneak into the top 5 or not. What do you think the team needs to do to give themselves the best shot at taking the points here?
Coach: I think we are generally playing a pretty good brand of footy. Obviously we need to work on playing 4 good quarters of football because most games we have lost this season have really been the result of a single bad quarter. Also, of late our accuracy in front of goal has been a little off. It is pleasing that we get the ball down their often enough but we have to finish off. The Dingo's game should be a good one. It will really give us an indication of where we are at as a team.

BB: Now was there something the newer guys and our fans might not know about you Coach - which you might want to elaborate on? (Eg. what you do as a day job? What you're actually researching? etc etc)

Coach: I spent the vast majority of my life studying. I have completed a BSc, BSc(Hons), and a PhD in Anatomy and Cell Biology. I came to Canada to undertake my PostDoc at Sickkids where I am researching kidney development and disease in one the worlds leading kidney development research laboratories. Most of the guys think I just cut open mice all day but there is a little more to it.

Some other interesting facts about our coach:

"One unusual trait about Jase is his favourite sweet dish after his main meal is a handful of salada biscuits. Nothing has changed since he left home and still now, it is not unusual for him to sit down and eat a packet of plain salada biscuits with no toppings within an hour of finishing his main meal. Healthy for him but makes a bit of a mess with the crumbs." Thanks to Jim & Lois Cain

Thanks for your time coach. We know you got plenty on your plate - so really appreciate your time. Now, it would be unjust for BB not to bring up your super performance in the Ottawa game. For those who missed it you were seemingly mortally wounded going in and contesting for a tough hardball get - getting pretty seriously winded in the process after copping a big bump. Having spoken to Mel, she said she was pretty concerned as you normally bounce straight back up after copping a hit, so for you to have stayed down the way you did was indicative of how big the hit you took was. It was pretty inspirational watching from the sidelines that only 5 minutes AFTER you were assisted off the field that you went back on and courageously contribute for the remainder of the game and helping to ensure a Blues victory.

Aside from that the amount of work and preparation you put in towards making this club into what it is today is sensational and your leadership is an inspiration to say the least. BB is pretty sure we speak for the rest of the team in thanking you for your work and dedication to the Blues cause and we're sure the squad is looking forward to rewarding guys like you, Chaps and Bruce for the amount of work you guys do for the club.

Special thanks to Jim and Lois for their supply of "Jason Cain" dirt - if you can call it that - the man is teflon - nothing sticks. Also cheers for the sideline support during the few of Blues games you attended this season.

Cheers to our readers for coming back for yet another instalment of BB. Next up we'll be interviewing a new face to the club who's rapid development is sure to put the league on notice. Until next time - GO YOU BLUES!!!!
Regards BB
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Rnd 14: August 28th 2010	G	B	Total
Central Blues	20	9	129
Toronto Dingos	2	1	13
Best on Ground:	Dan Zimmerman
Top Contributor:	Adam Martin

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