EFL 2018: Outgoing Park Orchards mentor Jarrod Bayliss details why he’s stepping down as coach
OUTGOING Park Orchards coach Jarrod Bayliss has explained why he won’t be coaching the Sharks in 2019.
Local Footy
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Footy. Followed categories will be added to My News.
OUTGOING Park Orchards coach Jarrod Bayliss says he has been left disappointed by rumours questioning his ongoing commitment to the Eastern Football League club.
Speculation has swirled during the season that Bayliss would be parting ways with the Division 2 outfit after two years at the helm.
CARLTON CULT FIGURE LINKS UP WITH THE SHARKS
SON OF A GUN FOLLOWS IN FATHER’S FOOTSTEPS
WHERE THE GRAND FINALISTS GOT THEIR STARTS
FRANKSTON ANNOUNCES ITS NEW COACH IN THE VFL
Park Orchards announced former Carlton forward Dennis Armfield as its new mentor last month, but Bayliss will remain as a player in 2019.
Bayliss said rumours suggesting he would be leaving Domeney Reserve were baseless.
“It’s been a difficult year, obviously had a bit going on behind the scenes,” Bayliss said.
“Had the baby and had to finish up my whole business and started up a new one … then trying to stay fit and coach.
“Obviously there has been a few other rumours flying around, which I have been pretty disappointed with, that absolutely have no truth to them.”
Park Orchards president Jeremy Thomas praised Bayliss’ resilience in the face of the rumour mongering.
“There’s been a lot of rumours floating around about a guy that in some ways can polarise people. It’s been disappointing going from club to club hearing and receiving phone calls,” Thomas said.
“People would come up at restaurants with my family there. It’s just been disappointing to have people think they can come up and ask the question.”
Thomas said the rumours were unfair.
“Unfortunately we think it started from some past relationships and we assessed it internally, did a full review of everything,” he said.
“We’ll back him to the hilt against the rumours … it’s been really unfair on him though that the finger has been pointed at him all year.
“He has been an incredible professional at getting on with getting the job done, getting the boys up each week having to deal with that, rocking up to grounds each week and being accused of certain things.”
Bayliss led Park Orchards to its first senior premiership when he guided the club to the 2017 Division 3 flag.
Next season will mark the first time he has not held a coaching position in nearly a decade.
“On all fronts it has been a pretty taxing year,” Bayliss said.
“I’m looking forward to focusing on the things that are important to me.”
MORE LOCAL FOOTY NEWS
WANDIN THE TOP DOG IN AFL YARRA RANGES
FLACK CALLS TIME AT GLEN WAVERLEY
Off-season central: every RDFNL club’s recruits
The new season is just around the corner and Riddell District clubs have been busy bolstering their lists. Check out all the news recruits here.
Recruit tracker: ex-AFL talents join Northern league
OFF-SEASON CENTRAL: It’s a new year and the new local footy season is just around the corner. Check out the latest recruits at every Northern league club here.