EFL: Heathmont coach Nick Rutley reveals aspirations for new club
New Heathmont coach Nick Rutley has revealed his aspirations for the Division 2 EFL club, as he embarks on a new chapter of his coaching career...
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Heathmont senior coach Nick Rutley has revealed his vision for the club following his three-year appointment at the Division 2 outfit.
Rutley, who succeeds outgoing coach Kyle Emley, said his long-term aspirations for the Jets aligned with the club’s during the interview process, with the common goal of the EFL’s top-flight in mind.
“The club seems like it’s in a position to be really aspirational and that’s what I probably leant towards in the end in making a decision – it’s worked out well,” Rutley said.
“I think we back this group in … I think it’s not out of the question that this club can go to Premier (Division) – I’m not saying that it will happen in my three years, but I’d like to play a part in building the foundations for it to happen.
“The case studies that have happened around us in what we’ve seen in the last decade – Montrose … South Croydon … Rowville.
“Now all of a sudden, South Croydon’s a destination club for VFL players. That’s why I was excited when I was talking to Heathmont … that’s what they want to do.”
Rutley was an assistant at North Melbourne in the AFLW program up until recently, when his role became one of many casualties of reduced AFL club soft-cap spending due to the coronavirus crisis.
Previously he’d served as head coach of the Dandenong Stingrays’ NAB League girls, an assistant and caretaker coach with Carlton’s AFLW side, a development coach with VFL clubs Box Hill and Casey and headed up the midfield at the Calder Cannons. He also led Outer East top-flight club Wandin to the 2018 premiership.
While Rutley said he aspires to coach at higher levels again, he believes the three-year deal allows for further development on the job.
“Being let go by North was a blessing in disguise because the industry has been flipped on its head and we’ve just seen so many good people get tipped out the other end with no job to go to,” he said.
“That’s why I was big on the three years and the club were keen on that too – it shows I’m in and it also gives a bit of faith from their end.
“I’m 35 and I’ve still got a lot to learn, and I get to learn on the job with a bit of security.”
Heathmont has contested the past four finals series, and was last year bundled out in a semi-final by eventual premier Mitcham in extra-time. With “90 per cent” of the list recommitted for next season, Rutley believes the list is well placed for 2021.
“This is a team that was five or six goals up on the eventual premier of that first final – so they’ve been getting a lot right and I don’t want to come in and reinvent the wheel and flip it on its head,” he said.
“I just want to tinker and play around with some areas that might need some improvement and grow on what was put in place by Kyle last year.
“The list is in a really good place and the level of retention has been really good – it’s a good starting point.”
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