EDFL 2018: Jacana relegated to Division 2 for 2019 after appointing Matthew Huy as coach

JACANA will compete in Division 2 next season after the Essendon District Football League decided to maintain a nine-team second tier.

Matthew Huy has signed on as coach for the next two seasons at Jacana. Picture: Supplied

JACANA will compete in Division 2 next season after the Essendon District Football League decided to maintain a nine-team second tier.

The Jaguars finished last on the ladder with one win this year and would have known their fate immediately under normal circumstances.

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But with Keilor Park set to return to the senior ranks after a year in recess and Sunbury Kangaroos to vote on a switch from the Riddell District league on October 1, Jacana was hopeful it would secure a reprieve and stay in Division 1.

It means the Kangaroos will start in Division 2 if their members vote in favour of a move.

Matthew Huy has put pen to paper for the next two seasons at Jacana, replacing Robert Fletcher in the top job.

The 42-year old was an assistant at Northern league club Hurstbridge this year and is untried as a senior coach.

“I’m going to offer something raw to the club. It’s going to be new,” Huy said.

“I’m not coming here with all these set structures that some older-style coaching would be like.

“I’m excited that I’ve got a great bunch of blokes I’ll be able to work with and just utilise their strengths to hopefully get us a lot more wins than what they had last season.”

The Jaguars claimed the Division 2 premiership in 2017 but experienced a tough campaign after being promoted as injuries took their toll.

Wayne Schultz, Josh Young, Michael Evans, Rhys Evans and Bryce Dodge were among those to have interrupted seasons, while Jason Cloke could move on.

“If we go down to Division 2, we’ll only be stronger,” Huy said on Wednesday before the news of the club’s relegation was confirmed.

“From speaking to a lot of the guys, we probably just need to get out on the track and have some good bonding and get everyone to buy in to what we’re trying to do.”

Huy’s playing career included stints at Wallan, Bundoora, Whittlesea and Craigieburn and he said he was “ecstatic” to be appointed coach.

“I played juniors against Jacana and a bit of senior footy against Jacana when I was up at Wallan. One of my mates asked if I was interested and said ‘can I get the club to give you a call?’ he said.

“The club gave me a call and here we are.”