Morphett Vale announces club great Braden Bayly as its new senior coach for 2019

Morphett Vale has named a club great as its new coach for the 2019 Southern Football League season.

Former Morphett Vale player Braden Bayly, pictured handballing in a game in 2016, has been appointed the Emus’ new senior coach. Picture: Stephen Laffer

NEW Morphett Vale coach Braden Bayly says re-establishing the club’s culture is the key to helping the Emus return to Southern Football League finals action.

Bayly, a long-time Emus on-baller and member of the club’s Greatest Team from 1898-2010, was last week announced as its new A-grade coach.

He replaced David Murdock, who Morphett Vale dumped in January after the Emus finished second-bottom with a 1-15 record last year.

Braden Bayly (right) during his playing days with Morphett Vale. Picture: AAP/Keryn Stevens

Bayly, 34, was determined to help the traditional powerhouse become a force again.

“It happened all of the sudden but I’m happy to do it,” Bayly, of Seaford Rise, said.

“We will sit down and speak about a game plan in the next couple of weeks.

“But at the moment, I’m really trying to bring a happy culture back to the club.

“The club holds a special place in my heart.

“I grew up there and I’ve got a lot of mates there.

“When I was captain, I was helping the coaches a little bit, so I know a bit about what’s involved.

“It will be a bit of a learning curve but so far, so good.

“I’ve had a lot of help, so I’m sure we will get through it.”

Bayly featured in the Emus’ premiership three-peat from 2005-2007, as well as its most recent flag in 2009.

The 2011 Mail medallist was unsure if he would return to the field – he retired at the end of 2017 – and become a player/coach.

Ex- Morphett Vale coach David Murdock, pictured in 2008. Picture: Luke Hemer

“I’ll just be on the sidelines at this stage but it’s early days, so I don’t know,” he said.

Bayly said he was in discussions with a few potential new recruits.

“The club wasn’t travelling too well, so I thought it would be a good opportunity to take it on and see what I can do to turn it around,” he said.

“We’ve signed as few players from last year and I’m in talks with a few others, so hopefully there will be a few new ones.

“Being successful takes a buy-in from all the players.

“When I was playing, we used to have about 70-80 players on the training track every week, so it (the success) filtered back to the B grade.

“Having a lot of numbers put pressure on spots and that made people wants to perform well.

“In the past few years, the club hasn’t had the numbers, so there hasn’t been pressure for spots.

“That means training slacks off a bit and success dies as well.

“We’ve got to make sure that enjoyment is there again.

“We want people to come out and make it a happy, friendly place.

“Hopefully the numbers will follow.

“I’m hoping I’ll be able to put the right things in place off the field to help the club climb back up the ladder.”

Braden Bayly playing against Cove in 2017. Picture: Matt Loxton

New Morphett Vale president Michelle Glazbrook, who was elected in November alongside six new board members, said the club made the decision to end Murdock’s tenure after speaking with members and players.

Glazbrook said Bayly was a champion of the club and he already had the respect of the players.

“We are very excited to have him,” Glazbrook said.

“We wanted someone who would be exciting.”

Last month Murdock said he received a phone call from Glazbrook telling him he would no longer be coach.

He said he had a “handshake agreement” with the club’s former president, Michael Mango, to coach again this year, only for a new board to change its mind.

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