EFL: Paul Donahoo to lead Warrandyte in 2021
New Warrandyte senior coach Paul Donahoo explains his decision to take on the head role at the EFL Division 3 outfit, and why he’s inheriting an ‘exciting’ prospect...
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Eastern Division 3 club Warrandyte has unveiled its new senior coach, with existing club man Paul Donahoo taking the reins.
Donahoo landed at the Bloods in 2019 as a player via his family connection to the Grimes brothers, where he featured in the club’s return to finals as an inside midfielder.
He previously played in more than 140 matches for EFL powerhouse Noble Park from the late ‘90s, with a top-flight premiership in 2004 before relocating to the UK where he played with the West London Wildcats/Shepherds Bush Raiders. Donahoo found his way back to Victoria at the end of 2008 where he linked up with VAFA outfit Prahan Assumption for a decade, winning multiple premierships and a best and fairest award.
The former Bull takes over the Bloods’ gig from outgoing coach Anthony McGregor, and said coaching had long been an aspiration. But at 40 years of age, he’s hung up the boots to focus on the job.
“It was always a path I’ve wanted to go down, and when the opportunity came up at Warrandyte, in a club that you know in a group that you know, you’ve got those bonds and relationships,” Donahoo said.
“It nearly gives you a soft entry instead of starting fresh at a new club with a new group of people.
“Having that (existing relationships) already, it gives me a bit of a head-start, and I might’ve got through another year of playing, but looking long-term, this is where I want to go.
“I really want to try and give it my all to be successful … but giving it everything would involve stepping away from playing.”
The club’s under-19s side played off in a grand final last year, with the developing youth a major drawcard for Donahoo stepping into the coaching role.
“One of the biggest things for me was around the youth and the talent that’s there and being able to help grow and develop that is really exciting … these kids have played together for years already,” he said.
“There’s probably going to be a few highs and a few lows with that, but that’s the rollercoaster that you ride with the youth.
“We’re going to look to be fast and attacking, have some fun and just drive this and hopefully set the foundations for the next five years.”
Donahoo inherits a senior team which played finals for the first time since 2015 last season but exited the premiership race with an extra-time semi-final loss to the Waverley Blues.
The Bloods topped up with ex-Upper Gully and Vermont key forward Ryan Phillips and three-time South Morang best and fairest Luke Shelton ahead of 2020. Coupled with youth set to feature in 2021, Donahoo said the club had moved on from its 2019 curtain call.
“From a playing-list point of view, it’s not a big deal, we’ll move on from that,” he said.
“This year’s going to be very different, we’ll lose a few from that team as well, and adding these kids in, they won’t even remember that, and there’ll be no focus put on it at all really.”
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