EDFL: West Coburg reappoints Dale May as coach, sets long-term goal
Dale May will be calling the shots again at West Coburg in 2021 after the season was canned, with the Essendon District Football League club addressing its future plans.
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West Coburg is hoping Dale May is the man to lead the club back to the Essendon District Football League’s top flight.
The four-time Strathmore premiership player has put pen to paper with the Burgers for 2021 after the season was canned amid the coronavirus crisis.
West Coburg finished sixth on the Division 1 ladder with an 8-8 record in May’s first season at the helm after a four-year stint in Premier Division.
President David Gloury said it was an easy decision to retain May.
“He’s done a terrific job with the group in the time he’s been with us, so looking forward to continuing that in 2021,” Gloury said.
“He relates exceptionally well to the players. He had a terrific playing career and his reputation was well known throughout the EDFL, and I think that commands a degree of respect in itself.
“The way he conducted himself in his first year with us was terrific. He is consistent with his message.
“I feel he has all the hallmarks of being a really successful coach, and hopefully a really successful coach at West Coburg.”
Gloury said a return to Premier Division was “absolutely the aim”.
The Burgers claimed 16 victories in four seasons against the competition’s elite from 2015-2018 after winning the 2014 Division 1 flag.
“As I’ve said previously, I think if you’re in Division 1 and you’re genuinely aiming to go to Premier Division, you do need to go with a two, three or even five-year plan as far as where your list is at and to get the list right,” Gloury said.
“I think I’ve seen other clubs recruit from what I think is the wrong age demographic to take on Premier Division.
“Your list might be good enough to get you out of Division 1, but is it good enough to genuinely compete with the powerhouses of Premier Division? That’s the real challenge.”
West Coburg enjoyed a fruitful off-season before the pandemic forced the 2020 campaign to be cancelled.
Ex-AFL player Daniel Archer, Daniel Johncock and Tom Drake returned to the club, while Luke Baniowski arrived from Strathmore.
“We were really excited by our pre-season and what we were able to attract to the club,” Gloury said.
“Division 1 is a tough comp. You’ve got some terrific teams and some teams that have really improved their lists dramatically in the last couple of years.
“We were approaching the season with lots of confidence, but everyone’s in the same boat now. We all get the chance to take a few deep breaths and get things back in shape from a club point of view.”
Gloury said he expected next season to be challenging for clubs on and off the field, pointing to the ongoing financial strain and collapse in sponsorship as a result of coronavirus.
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