Inside Keilor Park and Tullamarine’s coaching appointments

David Connell has reflected on his time on Tullamarine as he prepares to leave the club while new Keilor Park coach Colby Blyth has given an insight into his plans.

The winds of change are starting to move through the Essendon District league coaching ranks.

On Tuesday night, current Division 1 clubs Keilor Park and Tullamarine made announcements about their coaching structures in season 2025.

Tulla has confirmed it will part ways with David Connell at the end of the season after a partnership extending seven years.

Connell is in his second stint in charge of the Demons after stepping down to become president in 2023. He eventually took over midway through last season.

“It’s mixed emotions — happy, content and sad. But I am so clear of mind that this is the right decision for me and the club,” Connell said.

“I’ve had a connection to the club for 13 years, we’ve had some tough battles along the way. We played without rooms for two-and-a-half years, we’ve got close to a couple of premierships, we went through the Covid period and that was tough, there’s so many memories.

“I was president for about 10 weeks and that was a period where we had to move the club to Jacana for home games. We’ve been faced with some extreme circumstances but I can be content I have given it everything.

“I’ve called a spade a spade. It’s been a great journey and one I am really proud of.”

Connell took over before the 2018 season, re-joining the club from then Division 1 rivals Westmeadows where he spent four seasons.

He spent the last seven years of his playing career with the Demons before coaching the reserves.

Tullamarine coach David Connell is standing down. Picture: Andrew Batsch

Tulla reached the grand final in that first season, threatening to produce one of the greatest comebacks ever seen but were eventually overrun by Airport West.

Down by 53 points five minutes into the third quarter, Connell’s side led by one goal at the final break.

“In my 16 years of coaching, it was some of the most exciting footy I have been involved in,” he said.

“Peter Labbad has played a massive role for me. He was my captain in the twos. When he got me back to the club, there were doubters but he stuck by me from day one to the end.

“In the end we managed to prove those doubters wrong. Those are some of the best memories.”

In a statement, Tullamarine said it was “mutually” agreed for the club to head in a new direction.

The Demons will finish the season in the middle part of the ladder.

“DC has led the team to numerous finals campaigns and has worked tirelessly to advance our group through these years,” the club said.

“DC leaves a lasting impression on everyone at the football club, his unwavering commitment for not just his role as senior coach, also taking on committee roles as president and vice-president, supporting the juniors, securing sponsorships and even umpiring games when the club needed it.

“He has developed a group that has a strong culture and tight bonds that we are sure will be a lasting legacy of his time at Tullamarine.”

KEILOR PARK

Colby Blyth believes he is better for the experience of being a senior assistant as he prepares to take over Keilor Park next year.

The former Sunshine Heights mentor has been announced as the Devils new senior coach for the 2025 season with relegation to Division 2 already confirmed.

An ex-SANFL player, Blyth joined the EDFL club as an assistant to Leigh Coles this season and is determined to help hit the reset button.

“It’s helped me see the game from a different side,” Blyth said of this year’s role.

“I’m excited for the challenge of what’s ahead with this group. I think our list will be competitive. The boys have really stuck in there this year and it’s exciting to see the commitment despite what we have been through.

“I’m hoping to bring something different to the club, setting really high standards for us as a group.

“These guys want to see the footy club succeed, retaining players can be the biggest challenge. but everything is looking positive for us at the moment.”

Blyth said one of the key goals for the off-season would be bringing former Keilor Park people back.

“It’s important we try and bring people back who know what the club is about,” he said.

“Unfortunately we don’t have the backing of a large junior club. You hope you bring people back and then others want to follow them.”