EDFL: Sunbury Kangaroos start search for new coach for 2021
President Allan Walters has floated a potential big name replacement for premiership coach Anthony Leydin at Sunbury Kangaroos and given his verdict on the EDFL’s salary cap cuts.
Local Footy
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Footy. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Sunbury Kangaroos president Allan Walters has flagged the club’s desire to climb to the top flight of the Essendon District Football League after the departure of premiership coach Anthony Leydin.
The EDFL has cut the salary cap by 50 per cent in all three senior grades for 2021 amid the coronavirus crisis, with Division 1 clubs allowed to spend $85,000 on players.
The Kangaroos were tipped to be in the bottom half of the ladder this year after claiming the 2019 Division 2 flag in their first season in the competition.
“Being out at Sunbury … I’m sure we’d love to be (in Premier Division). We see it as a good opportunity and the salary cap is coming down, which will help us a little bit,” Walters said.
“I think it’s a great thing that it’s come down as it has.
“The football landscape has changed … and I just think this opens up the door for clubs to be more competitive.
“There are going to be clubs that are still able to spend their $85,000 and clubs that won’t be able to, but bringing it down might make it a little bit more even.”
The league’s second tier continues to improve, with East Keilor signalling its intentions by signing several stars in recent times.
Tullamarine, Westmeadows, West Coburg and Airport West also boast strong lists, while Taylors Lakes, Hillside and Roxburgh Park are building.
The Kangaroos will push forward without Leydin, who took charge in 2018.
The experienced mentor steered Tullamarine and Westmeadows before arriving at the former Riddell District league club.
“He’s not working at the moment and has a few things going on his life,” Walters said of Leydin.
“We had a few different discussions, and at the end of the day he wasn’t sure if he would be able to commit at this stage. Things may change in three months, but it may not.
“He didn’t want to leave us in the lurch and have to go down this path in three or four months’ time.
“Credit to the guy. He knows his football. You’ve got to get results, and his record speaks for itself.”
Walters floated Hawthorn premiership player Clinton Young as a possible contender for the role.
Young previously led Bendigo league outfit Gisborne for two seasons and was set to take the field for the Kangaroos this year in addition to his assistant coaching duties at VFL side Williamstown.
“We’ll have a chat to him over the course of the next couple of weeks and see where he’s at,” Walters said.
“Again, he may very well throw his hat in the ring (for the coaching job) as well. I’m not sure … but I believe he’s starting up his own business and I’m not sure what his plans are with Williamstown as well.
“We’ll be definitely having a chat with him.”
Walters said the club would “explore all options” to fill the vacancy and was open to a playing or non-playing coach.
The Kangaroos waved goodbye to eight premiership players last off-season, with Tierone Cuffe, Matthew Quigley, Lachlan Baddeley, Christian Monaco, Jeremy Murphy, Jared Pretty, Brad Slater and Matt Welsh leaving.
Mark Freeth (Diggers Rest), Dean Halliwell (Rupertswood), Zach McCasker (Greenvale), Will Healy, Dylan Caruana (both Sunbury Lions) and Young were among the additions.
“I think it’s a good opportunity for someone,” Walters said.
“We’ve got eight or nine kids – it would have been their first full year of senior football this year – that have played seniors over the last couple of years.
“We think they’re all one-point (players) going forward so we think it’s an exciting place to be.”
MORE LEADER LOCAL FOOTY NEWS
WHY TAYLORS LAKES CAN PLAY FINALS IN 2021
EDFL REVEALS SALARY CAP FIGURES FOR NEXT SEASON
WHO WILL BE COACHING YOUR EDFL CLUB IN 2021
EX-VFL PLAYER SIGNS ON AT EAST KEILOR
HOW CORONAVIRUS HAS REALLY IMPACTED LOCAL FOOTY CLUBS