EFL 2019: Dennis Armfield signs at Park Orchards until end of 2021

Park Orchards coach Dennis Armfield has added another 12 months to his initial two-year deal at the Sharks as they aim for promotion to the EFL’s top tier.

Dennis Armfield will remain at Park Orchards for the next two seasons. Picture: Stuart Milligan

Park Orchards coach Dennis Armfield has extended his stay at Domeney Reserve until the end of 2021 as the Sharks aim for promotion to the EFL’s top tier in the next two years.

Armfield has added another season to his initial two-year deal when he signed at the Division 1 club.

The former Carlton forward is in his first senior coaching position but has been quick to make an impact at Park Orchards.

Rival coaches have also been impressed with the former AFL player, who notched 145 games.

President Jeremy Thomas poured praise on Armfield’s first season at the club.

“Our review with Dennis went really well and we’ve been super happy with everything he’s done,” Thomas said.

“He’s been unbelievable with the development of the young guys (and) the vision for where he wants to take the team.

“It was really impressive for us. We hadn’t seen that at our level in our time.”

Thomas said Armfield was “fully dedicated to the club”.

“Abby, his wife, is an incredible supporter of what he does,” he said.

“She doesn’t miss a game, Abby’s parents come to home and away games so it’s not only Dennis. His whole family has embraced what we’re trying to do.

“The big thing though was the buy-in from the players to him was outstanding.

“The sign of a great coach at most clubs … is not only the way they coach the senior list but how they coach the club.

“His buy-in to the women’s program and his buy-in to the under-19s, he was down running drills the other week at the women’s training and he’s popped down to colts.

“He has bought into the whole club, not just the senior team, which can happen at clubs.”

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Park Orchards moved into the top five on the weekend after a 14-point win over Mooroolbark.

The Sharks won the third-tier flag in 2017 and their abundance of junior talent has them in a good position to challenge for a Division 1 premiership.

Thomas said the club wanted to win promotion by the end of Armfield’s contract.

“What we talk about is we want to win a Division 1 premiership by then,” he said.

“We already talk about sustainability in Premier Division.

“We’re realistic enough to think we’ve got the talent that’s developing that should see us there one day.”

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