Broadview coach Nathan Grainger to step away from division two Adelaide Footy League club

An Adelaide Footy League coach has made a decision on his future, choosing to call time after three seasons at the helm. See why here.

Highly-credentialed Broadview coach Nathan Grainger will step away from coaching for at least 12 months after three years at the helm of the Tigers.

He announced his decision at the division two club following the final game of the season on Saturday.

Grainger, who led Gaza to a division one Adelaide Footy League flag in 2011 and Modbury to a second tier premiership in 2016, told The Messenger he needed to have a break following a 18 years as a senior coach at various clubs.

Broadview coach Nathan Grainger walks off after his final match in charge of the Tigers on Saturday. Picture: Matt Oborn

“I just think the time is right to step away for my family,” Grainger said.

“I probably should have had a break a couple of years ago and I just want to give coaching at least 12 months off.

“The workload involved with being a senior coach is intense and full on.

“I really do love it but it was starting to get to the point where I was missing my kids play sport, the little things you do as a dad.”

The Tigers ended the campaign in sixth spot after an inconsistent season where they rose to wins against top-four opponents but then blew chances to lower-ranked sides.

Broadview landed seventh in Grainger’s first year in charge and followed it up with a fifth-placed finish and an elimination final defeat in 2020.

While the stint was not as successful as he would have liked, the coach was glowing in his praise for the club and said he would look back fondly on his time in charge.

Grainger took over at Broadview in 2019 following successful stints at Gaza and Modbury, which both yielded premierships. Picture: AAP/Mark Brake

“I’ve loved it and I’m certainly not walking away with any regrets,” he said.

“I’ve worked with some wonderful people, had some great volunteers around me and coach some really genuine kids who wanted to be there and were committed.

“It’s a great old footy club with a lot of history.

“Good luck to the bloke who gets the job and good luck taking them back to div one, which would be awesome.”

Grainger’s departure is one of several coaching changes already announced as the Adelaide Footy League season winds down.

Fellow division two coach Joe Hay has announced he will not go on at Salisbury North after three seasons in the role.

In division one, Port District’s Simon Maddern and Unley Mercedes’ Adam Jeffries have also stepped down.

Jeffries will be replaced by his assistant, former Adelaide Crow Scott Thompson.