Alves watched and spoke to the Bendigo Pioneers players during their training session at Golden Square's Country Vet Oval, and later spoke to more than 30 coaches from many clubs across central Victoria.

Alves was coach of the Saints line-up beaten by Adelaide in the 1997 grand final.

A brilliant wingman he racked up 267 games at the highest level in stints with Melbourne and North Melbourne.

The night was part of the Australian Football Coaches Association promotion.

Alves is AFCA president and visits many clubs across Victoria.

''Coaches play the most important role in football," Alves began his talk with. He may have coached in the big league, but Alves' start was with the Mordialloc-Braeside under-14s where his son, Matthew, was playing.

Whether it's under-14s or the AFL, Alves said the dreams and aspirations of players and coaches do not change.

‘‘The challenge is to combine the talent of individuals, who have many hopes and aspirations, and helping them achieve those goals." From 1994, Alves' first season as St Kilda coach until 1996, the club finished 13th, 14th and 10th.

But by ‘97 the Saints were runner-up.

Whether it's Pioneers, Elmore, Sandhurst, North Bendigo under-15s or any other, Alves said belief, trust and faith play a big part.

‘‘The main thing is to instil not what we are doing wrong, but what we are doing well and how we could be better." Alves then drew a formula the coaches may follow, or already are.

It read GP + TR + CRP + E = V.

Game plan, team rules, constant relentless pressure, enthusiam adds up to victory.

More importantly, it's helping and guiding players, wherever they play.