Former North Adelaide star Lewis Hender takes on coaching role at Keith

A premiership-winning SANFL forward will coach his hometown club as it looks to replace a departing champion and achieve silverware in season 2023.

A former SANFL gun will coach his hometown club in 2023, officially filling the role of a departing champion.

Lewis Hender – a premiership-winning small forward at North Adelaide who was leading goalkicker of the club from 2017 to 2021 – will be playing-coach of the Keith Crows after George Thring’s departure for Pembroke OS.

The crafty Roosters star joined the Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara Football League outfit earlier this year after a storeyed SANFL career.

He booted 58 goals in 19 games as the Crows fell eight points short of powerhouse Lucindale in the 2022 grand final.

“Coaching was definitely something I had in the back of my mind when I chose to go to Keith,” Hender said.

“Being able to coach at your local club without some of the external pressures and challenges, it’s a great opportunity and one I’m extremely excited by.”

Keith Crows star Lewis Hender will be playing-coach in 2023 after George Thring's departure. Picture: Keith Football Club

Hender will have big boots to fill after Thring – a former KNTFL Mail Medalist – rejoined brother Max at Pembroke.

He said he was confident of filling the role effectively and in what the team had to offer with personnel.

“Being able to balance both playing and coaching is going to be the main challenge but I think I have what it takes and can improve on my experience and knowledge through the next season,” Hender said.

“I’m not going to be changing too much from last season – Thringy and I have played a lot of footy together so we think about the game in a similar way – but there are a lot of areas we can get better at and hopefully I can we can improve on those.

Hender booted 195 goals in 122 SANFL games and has continued to tally majors at a local level for Keith. Picture: Tait Schmaal.

“I’m looking forward to being able to further help the young guys develop too, and we know not having Thringy is going to be a challenge but we like the group we’ve got and we’ll try to bring some other Adelaide-based Keith boys back too.”

While Hender will be fresh to the coaching role in season 2023, he said the objectives of the club had not wavered.

The Crows have made four grand finals in the last 10 years but have been left trophyless throughout the period – something Hender was eager to change.

“Obviously a major goal is to help every player improve but the ultimate goal is still a premiership.

“There are a lot of people at the club who have put so much time in – they want to see us lift the cup and we want to do it for them.

“There’s a bit of pressure in that sense but we’re ready for the challenge.”