http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/dawson-the-smoky-when-it-comes-to-coachs-plans-20130614-2o9ss.html
QuoteIs Zac Dawson the first playing assistant coach in the AFL? Yes, the same Zac Dawson who was delisted by Hawthorn, much maligned at St Kilda, despite playing in three grand finals, and now forms an integral part of a Fremantle defence that has conceded the fewest points in the competition, by a long way.
They mentioned GWS, but didn't seem to go into a lot of detail...
basically, no, he's not :P Mcdonald (13 games in a season), Brogan (14 games in 2 season) both hold/ held coaching positions when they were playing for the giants.
I can't remember if power was a coach as well or not...
Point is, no, he is not the first player coach in the AFL :P
The point about that was that Dawson was coaching at St Kilda (before GWS)
I am of the opinion that every club have assistant coaches playing the game.I think McPharlin is an assistant coach as such.It isn't a title you see along side their name but they just do it.It is part of the process.
I think guys like Hodge,Ablett,Glass,Cox,Corey,And many more experienced players are assistant coaches for their respective clubs.
So it is not a first for sure.