Noarlunga great Trevor Mitton to face Shoes in Southern Football League as new coach of Aldinga

Trevor Mitton was once hailed as Noarlunga Football Club’s messiah. Now Mitton will look to dismantle his beloved Shoes for the first time in his life this Saturday with new club Aldinga.

Trevor Mitton (second from left) celebrates the 2014 SFL premiership with Noarlunga. Mitton will look to dismantle the Shoes for the first time this Saturday as coach of Aldinga. Picture: Jeff Wray Photography

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Trevor Mitton was once hailed as Noarlunga Football Club’s messiah.

Its only premiership coach in the past 28 years, Mitton will look to dismantle the Shoes for the first time in his life this Saturday when his new club Aldinga hosts Noarlunga in the Southern Football League.

Three weeks ago, Mitton would have likely laughed if you told him he would be coaching in the opposite dugout to the club he led to flags in 2001 and 2014.

Now, speaking with the Southern Times Messenger, Mitton was looking forward to taking on the Shoes.

“I have to say I’m a little bit edgy about it but excited about it,” said Mitton, also a life member and former president at the Shoes.

New Aldinga coach Trevor Mitton is looking to turn the Sharks’ fortunes. Picture: Stephen Laffer

“It was only a few weeks ago I was sitting on the sidelines barracking for Noarlunga against Port Noarlunga and the very next week I’m coaching Aldinga.

“I understand where our group is at here but I think it is a good test and I certainly want to make it as difficult as possible for Noarlunga to earn a victory.

“Noarlunga has been my football home for a long time. I’m a life member there and that’s something I hold very close to my heart.

“But I’m looking to upset the apple cart, for sure. I’d love to have the biggest upset of the year, there’s no doubt about that.”

Aldinga lost 20.16 (136) to 7.8 (50) against Port Noarlunga in Mitton’s first game in charge before a 14.20 (104) to 2.5 (17) defeat away to 2018 grand finalists Reynella last Saturday.

Mitton took over after former coach Damian Smith walked out following the first two matches.

The Sharks come in as significant underdogs against a Shoes side Mitton described as “raging hot flag favourites” and he was under no illusion of the task confronting his team.

But the new Aldinga mentor, while pulling no punches, was looking forward to the lighter side of the upcoming contest.

“There’s been a bit of banter that’s already been getting around the place,” Mitton said.

“Kevin Opperman, a very good player at Noarlunga, I sent him a picture of the Noarlunga netball club’s playing attire and said to him he should be wearing that.

“He said ‘well, if we win by less than 15 goals, I’ll wear that to training’, so I’ll hold him to that.

“That’s the sort of banter I’m getting from mates over there.

“They’re supportive of what I’m doing but they want to give me a bit of stick as well.

“It’s adding to the theatre of it, no doubt.

“I’ve known some of those guys for a long time and I’m sure I’ll give them a little bit of banter as they’re running past the coaches box and I’ll get some back.

“We’ll have a beer afterwards and have a laugh.”

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