Sacked Aldinga Sharks coach leads Mitchell Park to grand final
MITCHELL Park Football Club and its coach Shane Lynch are proof a year is a long time in football.
MITCHELL Park Football Club and its coach Shane Lynch are proof a year is a long time in football.
Last season the Lions won just one game in the amateur league’s division six, had an average losing margin of 172 points and were unable to field two sides.
In April last year, Lynch made national headlines for being sacked as coach of the embattled Aldinga Sharks just two rounds into the Southern Football League season after they were thrashed by a combined 457 points.
But he has led a stunning turnaround at Mitchell Park, steering it to a division seven grand final against Houghton Districts at Thebarton Oval tomorrow (September 5).
Lions football director Wayne Wyld said Lynch had defied the doubters and been a boon for the club.
“A lot of people told us we shouldn’t do it (appoint Lynch),” Wyld said.
“We knew we were making the right decision.
“We knew what we were getting and knew he could coach.
“He’s proven that he can.”
Mitchell Park started the season with a 1-5 record but Wyld said the club did not panic.
“We had a completely new playing group and completely new coaching structure so it was going to take some time for it to gel.
“Shane was positive the whole time that he had a group to work with and he worked really diligently to get them playing some really good footy.”
Wyld said Lynch’s game plan was relatively simple – be accountable and run for your teammates.
“The players have just stuck to the task.”
Wyld said Lynch had already vindicated the committee’s decision to appoint him but a flag would be icing on the cake for the entire club.
Mitchell Park last won an A-grade premiership in 2012.
“This week we’re confident with the group that we’ve got,” Wyld said.
“They’ll give a good showing.”
Regardless of the result, Wyld said Mitchell Park had “re-established ourselves again as a footy club”.
“It’s good for the people.
“All the supporters have stuck by and they’re getting some reward for their effort.”
Amateur league chief executive John Kernahan said the league was thrilled Mitchell Park had turned its fortunes around.