Adelaide Footy League club Tea Tree Gully searching for new coach after departure of Justin Maschotta

A two-time Adelaide Footy League premiership coach has revealed he will leave for a role in the SANFL after making a tough call to depart his beloved club.

Tea Tree Gully coach Justin Maschotta lifts the division two premiership trophy with co-captains Chad Schoenmakers and Blake Penney last year. Maschotta has left the Adelaide Footy League club. Picture: Brenton Edwards

Dual premiership coach Justin Maschotta has made an “extremely difficult decision” to leave Tea Tree Gully in pursuit of a role in the SANFL.

The coach of the division one Adelaide Footy League club revealed to The Messenger he would leave the Wolves to take up a position in Central District’s academy program.

Maschotta, who coached the Wolves to a breakthrough top flight premiership in 2018 and a division two flag in last season, said he was approached by new Dogs chief executive Greg Edwards to join the club.

Maschotta addresses his players during a division one clash against St Peter’s OC earlier this season. Picture: Brenton Edwards

While he acknowledged it was an exciting opportunity, the TTG stalwart said it was a tough call to leave a club he loved.

“Greg was one of my first senior coaches, he hit me up and said ‘do you want to come for a coffee?’,” said Maschotta, who took over as coach in 2017 after playing more than 200 games for the club.

“He gave me the option of what I wanted to do, either underneath Paul Thomas or to head up the academy.

“It was a really inviting situation but obviously an extremely difficult decision for me.

“To leave the club I’m at and the connection I have with the players, that was the toughest part.”

TTG coach Justin Maschotta – pictured celebrating the 2018 premiership – said his connection with the Wolves players made it tough to leave. Picture: AAP/Brenton Edwards

Maschotta led the Wolves to a preliminary final in his first campaign before winning an emotion-charged division one flag the next season.

A turnover of players in 2019 resulted in a surprise relegation for the reigning premiers but the coach stuck around, rebounding with a division two premiership and promotion at the first time of asking before an impressive fifth-placed finish this season.

Maschotta said the bond he formed with his players was more important than any on-field success but took comfort in the fact he left the club in a strong position.

“I’m stepping away from potential success down the track,” he said,

“Our premiership window at Tea Tree Gully is really open now, our oldest player is only 28, so our average age is right in that demographic for success.

Premiership skipper Alex McKay is set to return to the club from Queensland. Picture: AAP/Brenton Edwards

“I leave them in good shape, there’s a good foundation laid there and they’re cemented back in division one.

“And I’ve got friendships and relationships that will stay with me forever.”

Maschotta believed the club would look internally for its next senior coach.

And the incoming mentor should be well-positioned with Maschotta confirming all players had recommitted for 2022 and they would be joined by some key recruits.

Alex McKay – the club’s 2018 premiership captain – will return after two seasons away in Queensland.

He also appeared in reality TV show The Bachelorette in 2019.

Fellow premiership players Ryan Spittle (Golden Grove) and Tom Bielby (study) have also returned after time elsewhere.

Maschotta also flagged there could be more signings to come.

The outgoing TTG mentor is the fourth 2021 division one coach to depart so far this off-season.

Jace Bode chose not to go on at Payneham Norwood Union and was replaced by Jeremy Cini earlier this week, while Port District’s Simon Maddern called time with Josh Ramsey stepping into the role.

Relegated clubs Unley Mercedes – which appointed Crows great Scott Thompson as its new coach – and Adelaide University have also made changes.