EFL: David Jensen discusses Surrey Park coaching position

Surrey Park coach David Jensen outlines why he accepted the coaching position at Surrey Park after its first finals appearance in 13 years.

David Jensen following his appointment as Surrey Park coach.

There’s no shortage of reasons why David Jensen has accepted the Surrey Park coaching position.

The Panthers have lifted themselves from the brink of extinction to an increasingly respected EFL club.

They tasted finals for the first time in 13 years this season after enduring a 67-game losing streak, which took in four winless seasons.

And there’s a strong junior program that has the club well positioned for success.

“I honestly think they’re going to be a very strong side, particularly with their under-19s group that are coming through,” Jensen said.

“They’ve got a strong junior program, which is renowned outside the club. There’s a lot of people who know how strong they are with their juniors.”

Scott Hamill took Surrey Park to its first finals series in 13 years. Picture: Davis Harrigan

At the age of 51, it will be Jensen’s first senior coaching gig.

He got his start coaching his son at Berwick Springs’ juniors and has served as a reserves coach at Doveton and Ringwood.

Ringwood senior coach Brett Rowe encouraged Jensen to apply for the Surrey Park role.

“The division and the position the club is in moving forward, they’ve got very good young depth and they’re going to be a very good club in the future,” Jensen said.

“They just needed somebody who has been at the higher levels, albeit in lesser roles, to help guide them into the future.

“I think the club and I were a good fit.”

Emerging young midfielder Kane Henden has joined Doncaster and Michael Paolini, who kicked 62 goals this year, is unlikely to play on in 2020.

Surrey Park reached its first finals series this year since 2006 but was knocked out in the elimination final.

MORE EASTERN FOOTBALL LEAGUE NEWS

PACKAGE OF BALWYN PLAYERS ARRIVE AT EAST BURWOOD

VERMONT MAKES PACT FOR SHOT AT THREE-PEAT

SILVAN RECRUIT TIPPED TO ‘DOMINATE’ DIVISION 4

PACKAGE OF NEAFL PLAYERS JOIN DONCASTER

MONKHORST BROTHERS JOIN SOUTH CROYDON

Jensen said he wanted to continue the momentum established by former coach Scott Hamill.

“He’s pulled them from being battlers in the lowest division to, for the first time in a long time, having a good feeling about the place,” he said.

“Hopefully we can add to the good work he’s done and take it a couple of steps further.

“There will be … some differences as to how we play, the way we move the ball … it will be more conducive to playing well in finals.”

WHAT A LEADER LOCAL FOOTY SUBSCRIPTION GIVES YOU ACCESS TO

– Match reports, features, player and coach movements and analysis of all the leagues across Melbourne.

– Unprecedented AFL coverage.

– All the latest football news from across the country including Herald Sun, Daily Telegraph and Courier-Mail.

– Latest news and videos from the world’s leading leagues.

– Exclusive digital stories and videos before they go to print.