EDFL: Brett Lindrea appointed as Jacana’s new senior coach
Jacana has appointed a new senior coach for 2023 as the Jags look to continue one of local footy’s toughest rebuilding jobs but the new man is optimistic about the future.
Essendon
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The rebuild of one of local footy’s struggling clubs has a new face.
Brett Lindrea has been appointed the new senior coach of Essendon District Football League club battlers Jacana for the 2023 season.
Lindrea, who was the senior assistant in 2022, takes over from Glenn McIntyre who stood down from the role at the end of the season.
The new senior mentor is set to bring an array of experience to the role having previously filled several roles at Westmeadows while he was a “talented” player during his own career.
In a statement, Jacana said it was “very impressed with Brett’s professionalism, his footy IQ (sic) and the rapport he has with younger players”.
Now it’s time for Lindrea continue in one of local footy’s greatest challenges.
“Returning to a place I spent time as a young kid and (sic) have great memories with my older brother. I hope to make a difference in helping out a proud club, it just feels like the right thing to do,” he said in a statement released by the club.
“I’m aware it’s going to be a great challenge, but hey ‘pessimists are often right, but it’s optimists who change the world’.
“Continuing on from the awesome work Macca has put down over recent years and (sic, helping out over the last 12 months, I’ve built a connection with the current people involved at the club.”
Despite some heavy losses throughout the season — the Jags failed to win a game — Lindrea is confident there is a bright future ahead for the playing group.
“I know there is a small group of talented young players that just need footy repatriation, games and (sic) time spent in the game,” he said.
“ They make for a sound foundation but they need more teammates, so if anyone is interested in being part of the process of “rebuilding the Jags” we’d love to see you at the pre-Christmas practice sessions in a month’s time.”
Having gone into recess during the 2019 season, Jacana has been forced to rebuild itself from the ground up and is showing remarkable signs of improvement.
Now the new coach is imploring people to be part of history.
“Jacana has only been around for 60 odd years now and (sic) in recent times has stared down extinction,” Lindrea said.
“I think some of the best stories in football history are the stories of clubs that have found a way back from despair.
“And within that story being the last footy club left to represent the Broadmeadows area, that would be a sad short story.
“So if you have time to give, you’re more than welcome to come down and (sic) stand with us.”
Jacana hosted its 2022 best and fairest last month with Bayley Overend named the winner while Josh Gough finished in second place.
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