Ex-Adelaide University coach Ben Watkins replaces Will O’Malley and Nick Murphy at Rostrevor Old Collegians

One of the top flight’s best clubs will have a new face at the helm next season after securing the former coach of an Adelaide Footy League rival.

Rostrevor Old Collegians premiership player Ben Watkins has been unveiled as the new coach of his former club a month after leaving relegated division one rival Adelaide University.

Watkins, a member of the club’s 2003 division two flag, was appointed at ROC this week following a decision by co-coaches Will O’Malley and Nick Murphy to step away due to time, family and work commitments.

He spent the past two-and-a-half seasons leading Uni before parting ways with the Adelaide Footy League club last month after its relegation to the second tier.

The Blacks revealed last week reserves coach and ex-North Adelaide player Graeme Kellett would take the top job.

Watkins was full of optimism about returning to ROC – the club where he won his first senior premiership.

Former Adelaide University coach Ben Watkins has taken over at Rostrevor Old Collegians. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

“I hadn’t even thought about coaching again after leaving Uni but the Rostrevor job presented and I’m very fortunate the club rang me,” said Watkins, who first joined ROC as a playing assistant coach in 2002 after a SANFL career with West Adelaide.

“Uni’s a very successful and strong club and I was privileged to coach there.

“But this came up at the perfect time and I’m really excited about joining Rostrevor. I’m pretty bullish about what we can do.”

The Blacks finished ninth under Watkins this season – just one win from safety.

Rostrevor meanwhile lost its last five games to fall from fourth to sixth and miss the finals for the first time since 2012.

Watkins said ROC – the Adelaide Footy League club with the best winning percentage from 2011 to 2020 with two flags and six grand final appearances in that time – was intent on getting back to winning ways.

“The club’s made no secret about that,” he said.

“After missing the finals this year we want to get back.

“I’ve spoken to Nick and Will, they’re all in and have been really helpful with my transition into the club.

“For them to step back but still stay around the club … I’m excited about what this footy team can do.”

Club great Will O’Malley will continue playing at ROC but is unlikely to pull the boots on until late 2022 as he recovers from a footy injury. Picture: Dean Martin

Nick Murphy shared playing coach duties with O’Malley this season. The former SANFL player joined ROC in 2020. Picture: Matt Loxton

O’Malley, a former club captain, has led ROC as playing coach since 2019 and was joined by ex-South Adelaide skipper Murphy to split the role this season.

Both intend to continue at Rostrevor as players.

“I love the club and I’ve loved the three years as coach,” O’Malley said.

“This year didn’t end the way we would have liked.

“It would have been good to at least play finals and see what happens from there. But it is what it is, you don’t always get the fairytale stuff.

“It’s great to have Ben involved. I think it will be good to have a fresh voice come in.”

ROC was the third division one club to announce a new coach since the end of the season following the appointments of Jeremy Cini (Payneham Norwood Union) and Josh Ramsey (Port District).

Tea Tree Gully has also been searching for a replacement for premiership mentor Justin Maschotta.