Luke Donaldson appointed coach of Adelaide Footy League division one side Goodwood Saints
Dual premiership player Luke Donaldson says continuing a strong culture and fielding selfless teams will be his mission as Goodwood Saints Football Club’s A-grade coach.
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A new coach could be overwhelmed trying to plan for recruiting and sorting out where to train when your club is about to build a $3.6 million clubhouse.
But not so for a club favourite Luke Donaldson who is stepping into the keenly sought after A-grade coaching position at Goodwood Saints Football Club.
Donaldson was appointed Saints’ coach after Adam Jeffries stood down at the end of the season to spend more time with his young family.
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But Donaldson is ready for the challenge, both on and off the ground.
A Saints premiership player in 2009 and 2014, Donaldson spent the past three years at Westminster Old Scholars – taking the Dragons to the division four flag in 2016.
He also played in West Adelaide’s beaten grand final team in 2003 and before that had been drafted by Western Bulldogs in 1999.
Donaldson, 38, said he was excited about heading back to the Saints.
“Goodwood has always been a club where people want to come to and I want to continue to make it that destination club,’’ Donaldson said.
“I grew up in country footy and have always loved that bond, the connection from juniors right through to seniors.
“We’ve always had an accountable club culture (at Goodwood). I want people to look at our team and see selfless teams. While recruiting is important it is developing the juniors and watching them progress.
“But I also want to encourage that talent to be the best they can and to push on to the SANFL or AFL if they are good enough. It might be our loss but it will be their gain.’’
While the club’s coaching panel and possible playing recruits are still being worked through, Donaldson is bullish about enticing people back to the club including Matt Illman who could be team’s runner and other former players such as Dan Wakelin and Aaron Bayliss in various roles.
The logistics of how and where the club will train with the new development
under way in December is still being worked on but Donaldson says the long-term benefit should be a winner.
The Saints have been one constant in the top tier. After winning the A2 premiership in 1990 and winning promotion to the highest level in 1991 the Saints have been the only side to have stayed in division one since.