EFL 2018: Forest Hill coach Martin Stillman reflects on time at Eastern Football League clubs

MARTIN Stillman is confident he is leaving Forest Hill in a better position for the Zebras to end the Eastern Football League’s longest premiership drought.

Departing Forest Hill coach Martin Stillman. Picture: Davis Harrigan

MARTIN Stillman is confident he is leaving Forest Hill in a better position for the Zebras to end the Eastern Football League’s longest premiership drought.

Forest Hill bowed out of the Division 4 flag race at the first hurdle after a 42-point defeat at the hands of East Burwood on Sunday.

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The Zebras’ early exit from finals means the wait for a second premiership will extend to a 35th year.

Stillman led Forest Hill to the 2016 and 2017 grand finals, only to suffer two close defeats after leading in the final quarter of both games.

Justin Scicluna will replace Stillman as coach as part of the club’s succession plan announced last year.

Justin Scicluna gives chase in last year’s semi-final. Picture: Hamish Blair

“When I was appointed coach, I said to the committee that I wanted to leave the club in a better position and hand it to the next coach in a better position,” Stillman said.

“People can judge whether that is or isn’t the case but I believe it is.

“We played off in two grand finals, we played off in a semi-final, we’ve got a good young list coming through, we’ve got under-19s coming through next year.

“I feel the football club has progressed under my three-year tenure and hopefully that elusive premiership’s not far away.”

The Zebras will also have under-19s next year for the first time since the late 2000s.

And that’s a wrap for season 2018 and for my time at the Zebras @foresthillfc pic.twitter.com/Tju0XJFxaO

— Martin Stillman (@Martin_Stillman) August 29, 2018

“You look at all the powerhouse clubs, especially in Division 1 — Vermont, Blackburn, these clubs that have got really good junior programs, it’s essential,” Stillman said.

“Rowville as well, so without juniors coming through it just makes it really difficult, it’s expensive, the points system now, so under-19s and the junior program is critical for any football club success moving forward.”

Stillman announced before the end of the 2017 season that last year would be his final season in charge before a change of heart after the grand final loss.

But there will be no coaching comebacks in 2019.

“Not sure exactly what I’ll do, I’ll be involved in football in some way shape or form, possibly more on a board or committee,” he said.

“There are no plans to be coaching at this point in time.”

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