EFL 2019: Wayne Van Der Ross appointed Knox coach
Wayne Van Der Ross will serve as senior coach of the club where he played his junior football, in a partnership he describes as a “match made in heaven”.
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There’s a romance about Wayne Van Der Ross’ return to Knox.
He says it’s a “match made in heaven” and a “dream come true” that he gets to start his senior coaching career at the club where he first played in the under-8s.
Knox unveiled Van Der Ross, 37, as its coach for 2020 over the weekend, replacing David Madigan in the role.
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Van Der Ross played in junior premierships at Knox and also spent time in the senior teams.
He said he had enjoyed seeing familiar faces through the interview process.
“It just brought back really good memories,” Van Der Ross said.
“I enjoyed my time at Knox and it just really appealed to start my first senior coaching gig at the club.
“It was just a match made in heaven.”
Van Der Ross played in Silvan’s 2004 premiership in the AFL Outer East.
He also had playing stints at Nunawading Fairpark.
Van Der Ross was a senior assistant and reserves coach at Glen Waverley Hawks between 2010 and 2013 and has served in the same roles at Lilydale the past two years.
He recalled the Round 6 clash when Knox defeated Lilydale to claim its second win of the year.
“I looked at that side and thought, ‘Geez, this team is very talented, very young’,” he said.
“They had some very good A graders there, and then when I went for the interview, I got a very good vibe. I left very happy and I felt confident as well.
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“I was praying I could get the job because going back to my former club, it is a dream come true.”
Knox won the 2017 Division 2 premiership but it has been relegated the previous two seasons.
The Falcons were stiff to be demoted this year following a six-win campaign.
Van Der Ross declared he would target an immediate return to Division 1.
“That’s why I took the role on because I wanted to help the club get back into Division 1,” he said.
“We’ll be playing against some very good sides (in Division 2) … it’s going to be a very tough competition but the goal for us will be to be a finals contender.”
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