Central District search for replacement for Roy Laird as coach
Central District has not had a full-time coach for 18 years, but that could chance when the Bulldogs announce the replacement for Roy Laird. Plus, the SANFL unveils its fixture for Round 18 and finals.
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Central District will seriously consider reverting to the full-time coaching system as it launches its campaign to find a replacement for Roy Laird.
The Bulldogs have advertised for a new coach and are open to a part-time or full-time mentor depending on the applicants.
Seven-time premiership coach Laird has operated part-time for the 17 years he has been in the role. But his predecessor and current Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson was full time at the Bulldogs, as was former Sydney star Stephen Wright when he was at the helm in 1996-97.
The Bulldogs and West Adelaide are the only clubs without a full-time coach.
“We need to get the best coach we can and we are open to part-time or full-time depending on the applicants,” Bulldogs general manager Kris Grant said.
Central’s board will meet on Monday night to form a committee with the responsibility to appoint the new coach.
Laird will have no input in the appointment.
“We want to appoint the new coach as soon as possible so the person can start on recruiting, which we need to do,” Grant said.
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The Bulldogs won’t be involved in this season’s finals, which start with a double-header at Adelaide Oval on Saturday, August 31. The qualifying final will be contested under lights in a bold initiative by the SANFL.
The remaining three weeks of finals will be held on Sundays with the grand final on September 22.
“With there being no AFL matches on the first weekend of SANFL finals – we saw this as an ideal opportunity to showcase the elimination and qualifying finals in a different timeslot and, in doing so, not compromise the dads out there by keeping free Father’s Day the next day,’’ SANFL general manager of football Adam Kelly said.
“SANFL fans have traditionally supported night football, which should make for an exciting atmosphere.”
The SANFL also finalised its fixture for Round 18, with all finalists set to get minimum of seven days rest.
SANFL Round 23
Friday
West Adelaide v Norwood at Richmond, 7.20pm
Saturday
Central District v Port Adelaide at Elizabeth, 2.10pm
North Adelaide v Eagles at Prospect Oval, 2.10pm
South Adelaide v Adelaide at Noarlunga, 2.10pm
Sturt v Glenelg at Peter Motley Oval, 2.10pm
Finals program
All games at Adelaide Oval
August 31 – elimination final 3.20pm, qualifying final 7.05pm.
September 8 – first semi-final 12.15pm, second semi-final 3.15pm.
September 15 – preliminary final 3.15pm.
September 22 – grand final 3pm.