CHAMPION Brisbane Roar defender Shane Stefanutto feels like “just a normal guy” when he puts St John’s Anglican College footballers through their paces.

The Roar defender has been instrumental in St John’s preseason during the past month, running sessions on Wednesday afternoons at Forest Lake school.

It’s Stefanutto’s third season lending his class to the football program. He said the satisfaction he received had him keen to be a long-term fixture at the school.

“I just try and go out there as a friend and have a chat about how life is and school and how we are going to go in football this year,” Stefanutto said.

“I’m just a normal guy, a dad of two that seems to play football and have done quite well.”

The three-time A-League premiership player said St John’s was poised for a strong future and the footballers were thrilled when he turned up at a recent session with his 2013/14 premiership medal in hand.

“I’m just happy to share the experience and the medal because I want the guys to see if you’re working hard and persist, these things can turn out,” he said.

“At the age I am now (34), I talk about legacy and I want people to know my experiences and I want to share the successes with the school.”

Stefanutto said the school was experiencing success in its football program as well.

“I think (my presence) has helped in attracting a higher calibre of footballer as well,” he said.

“I hope there’s a couple that have come across because I’m associated with the school and that’s part of my mission; to develop footballers that are at the school and then also maybe attract a few from other schools as well and I think we’re getting a good balance of that now.

“There’s really exciting football talent coming through in the Year 8s and 9s and 10s so I think the future is very strong for St John’s.”