Glenunga Football Club coach Nathan Grima steps down after four years in charge

A highly respected division one Adelaide Footy League coach will step down after taking his club to three grand finals in his four years in charge. See why he made the call.

A revered Adelaide Footy League coach has stepped down after taking his club to its third grand final in four years.

Glenunga coach Nathan Grima will leave the Rams ahead of season 2025 after helping the club to a second consecutive grand final appearance.

Joining Glenunga in 2021 after a stint as Sturt SANFL League coach, the former North Melbourne defender and Central District premiership player took a winless Rams side to a division two big dance and would go on to coach his team to two more grand finals, a 2023 loss to Prince Alfred OC and a loss to Port District last Saturday.

Grima said he made the decision at the start of the 2024 season and would not have backtracked if the Rams had have won their first ever D1 flag.

Nathan Grima has stepped down after four years as Glenunga coach. Picture: Max Stapleton

“At the start of this year I spoke with my wife about it and I knew with my work and family commitments with two young kids it was going to be hard to continue,” Grima said.

“I’m really proud of my time and what we’ve been able to do.

“I love that club and it was pretty emotional breaking the news to the group but it’s a good feeling to know I’ve had a positive impact.”

Glenunga has lost just five games through the past two seasons, with two of them being grand finals.

Grima said he was “bloody shattered” after Saturday’s 64-44 loss.

Nathan Grima during his side’s grand final clash with Port District on Saturday. Picture: Brenton Edwards

“Reflecting on the game we weren’t able to execute a lot of the stuff that makes us a good team,” he said.

“We’ve got a good mix but not a lot of outside run so we needed to win the contest and ground ball but they managed to win the clearances by 20 for a number of reasons and play the game in their front half.

“Everyone says we just play our home ground well but we’ve won a lot of games away from home and we were just convincingly beaten by a team that was better on the day.”

Despite the loss, Grima said he could not be prouder of his group and would miss the togetherness it brought.

“They’re a great group of lads and it’s a great club.

“We were able to have four years of growth and those guys have been able to compete with a lot of very talented teams.

Grima congratulates Port District coach Josh Ramsey after Saturday's grand final. Picture: Daniel Renfrey

“The most memorable part of it for me has been that when I started my son, Spencer was only two years old and just getting to know what footy was but he leaves now idolising all the players and they’ve been so big for him.

“I think that sums up footy clubs, they’re a great spot to be around and I’ve been fortunate to be involved in the way I have been.”

While Grima has been one of local footy’s most consistent coaches since taking over at the Rams, he said he was not considering returning to senior coaching in the near future.

“I probably can’t see myself coach again until the kids have grown up.

“I’m going to coach my daughter’s Under-9s netball team which will be interesting and I’d like to coach my son at some point but I’m looking forward to having the time off and focusing on myself and my family.”