AFL Outer-East rep coach Nick Rutley looks to bring two leagues together in one handy squad

Former Wandin premiership coach Nick Rutley will take charge of the inaugural AFL Outer-East interleague squad for this year’s AFL Community Championships tilt.

Former-Wandin coach Nick Rutley has taken the reins of the AFL Outer-East rep squad. Picture: Stuart Milligan

Former Wandin premiership coach Nick Rutley will take charge of the inaugural AFL Outer-East interleague squad for this year’s AFL Community Championships tilt.

It will be the first taste of rep footy since AFL Yarra Ranges and the South-East Football Netball League joined forces late last year.

A YEAR AGO THEY WERE OPPONENTS

RUTLEY TAKES WANDIN TO THE FLAG

BIG CHANCE FOR YOUNG MOUNT EVELYN

NARRE LOOKS TO ITS NEXT GENERATION

Robbie Ross and Nick Rutley raise the 2018 premiership cup

“It’s really exciting because it’s a clean slate,” Rutley said. “So maybe we can do a few things that haven’t been done in interleague before.”

By sheer chance, the two leagues met in the championships last year with SEFNL a six-goal winner at Beaconsfield. Rutley is confident a good showing this year will help bring the leagues closer in the early days of their marriage.

“With the new league we’ve heard a lot of push back and angst,” he said. “But now we’ve got a big chance (to bring everyone together).”

This year’s clash will pit No. 9-ranked AFL Outer-East against the Bendigo Football Netball League in Bendigo on Saturday, March 18 and Rutley’s preparation is in full swing.

So far he has been extremely encouraged by the enthusiastic response from clubs.

“It’s been really well received by all the coaches and clubs,” he said. “I was very conscious of not poaching players from the clubs. But I’m very comfortable in the talent we’ve got to choose from.”

Pre-season preparation is at its busiest in the shadows of the inaugural season.

This weekend Berwick and Narre Warren will kickoff the new competition with a SEFNL grand final rematch while next weekend the Wickers and Wandin will clash in a battle of the two former league’s final premiers.

Clubs have a fair bit on their plates.

AFL Yarra Ranges and SEFNL do battle last year. Picture: Valeriu Campan

“I’m very conscious of what to demand of the clubs and players,” Rutley said. “We’ve got to respect what’s happening (at this stage) in the season, getting the right balance in what we ask of them.

“It’s going to be a cracking 22 if we can get them all together.”

While thrilled with the calibre of player he’ll have at his disposal, Rutley said he was also keen to open the squad up to younger players who, while they may not play this time round, will learn a lot from the interleague build up.

“I’ve talked to the coaches about who they think would benefit from being part of it,” Rutley said.

After establishing his coaching support team, Rutley said the first thing he did was identify his leadership group and two from both leagues — Jordy Williams (Woori Yallock), Marcus Hottes (Olinda Ferny Creek), Madison Andrews (Berwick) and Brandon Osborne (Cranbourne) — will be his on-field generals.

“At first I just approached them and said ‘I just want you to play’,” Rutley said.

But the four have been quick to embrace their roles and will help attract other players to the rep program.

Rutley is in no doubt Bendigo will provide stiff opposition.

“We’re going up to Bendigo and I know they will be well-drilled,” he said. “(Bendigo’s rep coach) Darryl Wilson is from Strathfieldsaye and he coached them for seven years to three flags. I think they’ll have about four or so from last year’s Vic Country side.”

Rutley has gathered a very handy support staff around him with Cranbourne’s Steve O’Brien and former Silvan great Chris Goodlet taking on the assistant-coaching roles.

Max McGrath (Woori Yallock) will be the runner with John O’Brien assisting with opposition analysis. Rutley was also full of praise for the support he’d received from league commissioners Tony Mitchell and Ryan Ford in getting the interleague campaign underway.

The initial squad is currently being considered and will be announced some time between April 8 and 15.

AFL OUTER-EAST COACHING STAFF

Netball

17 & Under: Greg Heinrich (head coach) and Kaela Hughes (assistant coach)

Open: Guy Keane (head coach) and Kaitlyn Black (assistant coach)

Football

Under 18: Brett Fisher (head coach) and Damian Whitnall (assistant coach)

Senior: Nick Rutley (head coach) and Steve O’Brien (assistant coach), Chris Goodlet (assistant coach)

League best and fairest Marcus Hottes is slated for a leadership role in the rep team