Coburg appoint a familiar face as VFL coach for 2020

A former Coburg player and assistant coach will make the step up from a local football powerhouse to take over the coaching reins at Piranha Park in 2020, replacing Leigh Adams.

Andrew Sturgess as coach of Bundoora. Picture: Josie Hayden

A familiar face will lead Coburg in 2020 after Andrew Sturgess was appointed senior coach.

Sturgess, a former Lions player and assistant, coached Northern Football League club Bundoora this season.

Leigh Adams stepped down as VFL senior coach last month with Coburg wasting no time finding a replacement as they prepare to embark on a difficult 18 months as Piranha Park is redeveloped.

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Sturgess returns to Coburg after two seasons as a player in 2014-15 and two seasons as an assistant in 2017-18.

“It came about quicker than I anticipated, in terms of stepping up to the next level,” he said.

“From day one I told Bundoora it was always something I wanted to do, to challenge myself at the next level.

Andrew Sturgess coaches Bundoora in the Northern Football League. Picture: Rob Leeson

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“In some ways it’s bittersweet, leaving Bundoora after the on-field year that we had and not having success in that regard.”

Sturgess led the Bulls to a 5-13 season in NFL Division 1 and the club missed the finals for the first time in 18 years.

After trialling at Coburg in 2014, Sturgess was elected to the club’s leadership group without playing a game and featured in all 18 games in his debut VFL season.

However, a fractured T2 vertebrae in the final practice match before the 2015 season derailed his career.

Having been an assistant under Peter German and Adams, Sturgess was looking forward to rekindling his relationship with the playing list.

“I’ve got a really good relationship with a lot of the list currently,” he said.

“The guys that came in in 2019, that I don’t know personally yet, I look forward to building relationships with.

“I look forward to getting stuck into it, building on this year and building the club into the future.”

While the Lions only won two games this season, the club showed significant improvement on the field.

Sam Lowson and Lochie Dickson earned AFL Draft state combine invites while Marcus Lentini finished the season as the league’s joint top ball-winner.

Andrew Sturgess in action for Coburg in 2014. Picture: Derrick den Hollander

Lochie Dickson in action for Coburg.

Sam Lowson in action for Coburg.

Coburg general manager Seb Spagnuolo said Sturgess’ passion for the club was what ultimately won him the job.

“What really came through was his passion for the club, how much he wants to see the club succeed and he’s got really close bonds with our players,” he said.

“There were bigger names, or bigger profiles, that applied but what it came down to was who connected best with our football club.

“We’re really proud to give Andrew this opportunity as a Coburg person, it’s a very exciting period for the club with the redevelopment happening.

“From the outside it might look like we’ve gone with a smaller name but for our club and the journey we’re on, we couldn’t be happier.”

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