Wynnum Manly Seagulls on the search for a new coach after Jon Buchanan’s release

Who will be the next Wynnum Manly Seagulls coach? The club is on the search after informing Jon Buchanan he would be released at season’s end.

Outgoing Wynnum Manly Seagulls coach Jon Buchanan.

THE Wynnum Manly Seagulls will prioritise fitting in with the club’s culture in the search for a new coach.

Wynnum Manly last week announced current Intrust Super Cup coach Jon Buchanan would be released at the end of this season, as part of a club business restructure.

Wynnum Manly Seagulls chief executive Hanan Laban. Picture: JOHN GASS

Seagulls chief executive Hanan Laban said their search for a new leader was about more than coaching.

“Their ability to buy into the culture we have here at Wynnum Manly is extremely important,” Laban said.

“We want someone our fans, sponsors, officials and players can really get behind, and can help us continue the successful tradition the club has.

“Wynnum Manly is a very high-profile club. We have the best fans and the most attendance for a football game in Brisbane, outside of the Broncos, so I’m sure there will be a number of very high-profile candidates.”

Laban said the club’s committee would start the process in finding a new coach in the coming weeks, and have a decision within a month.

Buchanan boasts an impressive record in his three seasons at the helm of the Seagulls, taking the team to back-to-back finals appearances, including a preliminary final in 2014.

Wynnum Manly Seagulls skipper Pat Templeman.

SKIPPER PRAISES BUCHANAN

WYNNUM Manly Seagulls skipper Pat Templeman says his side has extra motivation to play finals football after the news coach Jon Buchanan would be released at season’s end.

Templeman joined the Seagulls at the start of the 2015 season, from the Canterbury Bulldogs and won the Courier Mail Medal last year for the Intrust Super Cup’s best and fairest.

The 23-year-old said the group wanted to send Buchanan out the right way.

“All the boys were pretty disappointed when they heard the news. JB has been a great coach for us, and all the boys have always been right behind him. We want to play finals and give him a fitting send off,” Templeman said.

“He’s not only a good coach for us, but he’s a great guy. He cares about his players and that goes a long way with a group.

“Personally, I owe a lot to him as well. He’s one of the main reasons I came to Wynnum Manly, and he helped me get my confidence back and have fun playing footy.”

Seagulls players celebrate in the win over Redcliffe. Picture: PETER CRONIN

REDCLIFFE WIN GIVES SEAGULLS CONFIDENCE BOOST

THEY may have lost the Herald Cup but the Wynnum Manly Seagulls might have gained something more important from their 11-10 win over Redcliffe at the weekend.

Wynnum Manly coach Jon Buchanan said his team received a huge boost in ­confidence they could take into their last eight games of the Intrust Super Cup season as they chase a finals spot.

The Seagulls need to win six of their last eight games to have any chance of playing in the post season but Buchanan said the weekend’s game showed it was possible.

“Redcliffe were probably the form team of the competition heading into the weekend sitting second on the ladder, so to beat them at their home ground is huge for us,” he said.

“We spoke about it after the match as well, this is something we can use going forward into the rest of our games.

“A win against a top two opposition at their place really does help a team’s confidence.”

But the Seagulls face another tough challenge on Sunday in fellow finals hopefuls, the Souths Logan Magpies, who beat powerhouses Townsville at the weekend.

Kick-off at Davies Park is at 1.40pm.