Marble Range Football Club icon Tynan Keeley takes over as coach

A star local SA footy forward will coach his hometown club next season as it looks to bounce back from an agonising grand final loss.

A superstar local SA footy forward has signed as playing-coach for his hometown club next season as it looks to rebound from a devastating grand final loss.

Marble Range Football Club champion Tynan Keeley will coach the Magpies next season, replacing Boyd West after he made the decision to step down after four years at the helm.

The change comes after Marble Range suffered a dramatic five-point loss to Lincoln South in last season’s Port Lincoln FL grand final, bringing an end to the club’s run of two consecutive flags.

“Coaching is probably something I’ve always wanted to do and with Boyd stepping down at the end of last season I thought about it a bit more seriously and decided now was the time,” Keeley said.

“It’s my hometown footy club so it means a lot to me and I’ve got a fair bit of drive to get the club back to winning premierships.”

Marble Range champion Tynan Keeley will take over as playing-coach next season. Picture: Rosalie Calderwood

The club experienced one of the most successful periods in its history under West and had won 39 consecutive games before its round seven loss to Lincoln South this year.

While Keeley was excited by the opportunity to take the reins, he knew he had big boots to fill.

“Boyd has been our most successful coach ever statistically and I don’t think you’ll find a more organised coach,” he said.

“I couldn’t speak highly enough of his dedication and his coaching abilities – it’s definitely something he should keep pursuing.

“I’ve worked very closely with him as captain throughout the last few years so I don’t think my style or approach is going to differ too much, it’s just about upholding the standards we’ve already established at the club.”

Keeley in action against Wayback last season. Picture: Rosalie Calderwood

A top drawer player in his own right, Keeley has booted nearly 600 goals in over 200 games as a strong and skilled key forward and has consistently led the goalkicking for the Magpies.

He believed the side still had the talent to compete next year and would regain its hunger to go all the way.

“We came up against a very good South side last season and they were too good for us on the day,” Keeley said.

“The boys are now more driven than ever, especially after tasting success for a while and then missing out, they’ve definitely got that hunger back.

“We’ve retained most of the playing group, which was my main goal and we’ve got some very capable youngsters coming through, so we’re very confident and can’t wait to get back to work in the pre-season.”