EDFL: Essendon Doutta Stars appoint Barry Prendergast as coach

Essendon Doutta Stars has turned to a man with an “impressive CV” as its new coach as the club aims to move up the ladder in 2023.

The opportunity to appoint Barry Prendergast as senior coach was too good to pass up for Essendon Doutta Stars.

Prendergast’s resume is as impressive as anyone’s in local footy.

He is a premiership coach with Eastern Ranges and Kerang, has been an assistant coach at several AFL clubs while also being a recruiting manager.

He is the current Assumption College head coach of the 1st XVIII.

Given his experience, Doutta Stars president Darryl Meyers said Prendergast was a clear standout to lead the Essendon District Football League club forward.

He will replace Paul Barnard who departed earlier in the season.

“We’re so happy to get him through especially with the number of juniors coming through the club in the next few years,” he said.

“Seeing he teachers footy as a subject, we think he’s the perfect person to guide our young group. He’s a typical teacher when it comes to coaching as well.

Barry Prendergast has been appointed Essendon Doutta Stars coach. Photo: Facebook.

“He takes the time to develop his players and doesn’t get frazzled when he might be under a bit of pressure.

“He’s got an impressive and well rounded CV. This is an exciting, and as we believe, pivotal and momentous appointment for our club in setting us up for on and off field success into the future.

“Barry joined us as an assistant coach earlier in the season and we were immediately impressed by the way he presented himself and worked with the group.

“We’re over the moon with his appointment.”

Meyers believes Prendergast’s experience at several different levels of footy would be key in helping him shape the club going forward.

“Footy isn’t as simple as it used to be even at local level,” he said.

“There’s structures and so much more professionalism which Barry will add to the club. Through our conversations with him we’ve learnt he’s got a great tactical awareness and we’re looking forward to seeing it in place.

“We’re happy with the experienced players we’ve got including Karl Brown and how they guide our younger guys.”

Barry Prendergast with Jack Watts and Sam Blease after the 2008 AFL Draft.

Doutta Stars found themselves in the Premier Division relegation battle this season after winning just three games for the season.

And they’re hoping to avoid a similar fate in 2023.

“We don’t want to be fighting relegation, we want to be aiming to play finals,” Meyers said.

“If you look at our results this season, we weren’t disgraced in games. We found ourselves in most games even against the better teams but for one reason or another we fell away.

“Our boys will learn from that and be better for it in the long run.”