EFL 2019: Ryan Webster appointed Mulgrave coach
Incoming Mulgrave coach Ryan Webster outlines his vision for the EFL Division 2 club and how he plans to turn the Lions’ fortunes around.
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Ryan Webster is going to be a busy man.
The former WAFL player has signed as Mulgrave coach for the next two years, and will juggle the role at the EFL club with his position as Box Hill Cricket Club captain-coach.
It was confirmed on Wednesday that Webster, 39, had secured the role vacated by Anthony Goodwin.
Webster missed out on the Noble Park position before a call from Mulgrave.
“Obviously went through the process and it was more about me making the decision whether I wanted to do it or not with the balance and time,” Webster said.
“I’ve had to sweet talk the wife but both clubs – Box Hill and Mulgrave – have been really appreciative of the balance I need to do both jobs to the best of my ability.
“It’s worked out really well and I enjoy my coaching and the development side of coaching.
“Three of the guys at Box Hill are turning 21 … (and) the same with Mulgrave – there’s a lot of players in their mid-20s.
“That’s what I enjoy most about the coaching side of things.”
Webster played at East Perth and East Fremantle and had two years at Vermont, playing in the losing 2008 grand final against Balwyn and missing the 2009 premiership through injury.
He had served as a VFL assistant at Sandringham and Northern Blues and was under Guy McKenna at Beaumaris for the past two seasons.
Webster also coached two premierships at Sub-District Cricket club Caulfield.
But while he’s going into the Mulgrave position “without losing sight of the fact I’m there to win games and win the flag and move up a division”, the Lions have been at the other end of the ladder in recent years.
They haven’t featured in a finals series since 2014 and have won just 14 games in the past three years.
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Webster said his success would be judged on the development of the club.
“We’re doing a club redevelopment … from the under-19s up and making sure there is a good transition into our senior program,” he said.
“It’s more about a whole-club focus and making the club stronger but also at the pointy end, getting the results in the senior team that we’re chasing to move up a division.”
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