EFL 2022: Latest Eastern league coaching moves ahead of 2023

Who’s in, who’s out? Clubs have begun locking in their coaches for 2023 while a number have walked. SEE THE FULL LIST

It’s the business end of the season and a host of Eastern league clubs have begun making calls on their coaches for 2023.

We take a look at all the latest moves across all five divisions.

PREMIER DIVISION

South Croydon has cast an eye to the future locking in existing mentor Marcus Buzaglo for 2023.

Buzaglo has steered the club since early 2021, which currently sits fifth on the ladder with a 9-5 record with it headed for a fourth consecutive finals appearance in the top-flight.

South Croydon coach Marcus Buzaglo.

“He provides excellent leadership across the board and after a couple years of Covid interruptions, followed by our redevelopment challenges, we feel Marcus fully deserves an uninterrupted run,” South Croydon president Steve Duke said following Buzaglo’s contract extension.

“An early decision on extending his tenure allows us to finish the season strongly, as well as looking forward to the future needs of the group.”

Meanwhile, fellow finals-aspirant Doncaster East has locked away coach Ryan James for next season amid its 10-4 record this year.

Doncaster East coach Ryan James will go again next year. Picture: Stuart Milligan

James succeeded dual Lions premiership coach Steve Buckle in the role at the end of last year.

It’s been a testing campaign for James’ club, which has been dealt a number of key names sidelined.

Premiership spearhead Jake Summers stepped away from football in February, while boom recruit Chris Deluca returned to Port Melbourne Colts in March. Key name Jack Martin stopped playing after Round 1 while James Locke and Dylan Heath have been limited to just three appearances.

Ex-AFL names Simon White and Josh Deluca have also missed a handful of matches.

President Peter Sowersby lauded James’ efforts in improving the list, with the seniors currently sitting third on the ladder.

“He’s definitely coaching an exciting brand of footy,” Sowersby said of James.

“He’s very structured with opposition analysis and our game-plan … he’s drummed it into the guys how we want to play.

“Every bloke I think on the list has improved, nobody’s gone backwards which is a huge credit to him.”

At Quambee Reserve, ex-AFL Tiger and ‘Roo Robbie Nahas will again steer North Ringwood.

He landed the gig following 2019, after 117 matches across Richmond and North Melbourne from 2009-16 and a stint as an assistant under Gary Ayres at VFL club Port Melbourne.

Berwick has also confirmed mentor Clint Evans has recommitted.

DIVISION 1

Upper Ferntree Gully is on the hunt for its next senior coach following the recent announcement of Luke Tynan’s resignation effective at season’s end, citing work and family reasons.

The Kings sit winless at the foot of the table.

Tynan landed the coaching gig in September 2020 following a VFL career which took in 150 matches across Casey and Port Melbourne, where he tied for the Borough’s 2017 best and fairest in a premiership year and made the VFL Team of the Year on three occasions.

The Kings are keen to retain Tynan as a player next season.

He initially joined Upper Gully as a playing-assistant at the end of 2019 before filling the senior role vacated by Stephen De Luca the following year.

Upper Gully president Mark Godfrey said the club was keen to retain Tynan’s services as a player.

“We’re in discussions with him about staying on (as a player), he likes the club,” Godfrey said.

Mooroolbark senior coach Bret Lavars is set to lead the ladder-leader for another season, with the club recently confirming his contract extension. The Mustangs have lost just one match this season and are chasing their first flag since 2009.

Meanwhile, Beaconsfield has confirmed Mick Fogarty’s extension into next season. Fogarty has overseen the Eagles into the Eastern league this season, where he made his name as a dual premiership coach with Noble Park in the top-flight across 2010-11.

Beaconsfield sits eighth on the ladder with a 4-11 record.

DIVISION 2

Mitcham has locked away dual premiership mentor Neil Winterton, as it looks set for another finals appearance. Winterton is the club’s longest-serving coach, having held the post for some nine years, in a stint taking in the 2015 and 2019 flags and two best-and-fairests.

Tigers president Matt McCubbin said the club was “over the moon” to have Winterton continuing.

“From the first day he walked through the doors he has always been extremely passionate and extremely professional and we couldn’t be happier with the person we have in charge of our young and exciting list,” he said.

Mitcham coach Neil Winterton (left) led the Tigers to a second flag in four years in 2019. Picture: Andy Brownbill

DIVISION 3

Glen Waverley has backed its coach Brett Gatehouse as it remains a chance to avoid relegation at season’s end.

The Hawks have won just three matches from 14 starts this season and sit at the foot of the Division 3 table but president Matt Hollard says the change in culture had been vast.

“Whilst the results of the senior team have not been where we would have liked in 2022, the stability, structure and culture changes that Brett and his team along with the committee have brought in this year have laid a great foundation for the club in 2023 and beyond,” Hollard said.

Meanwhile, Coldstream has secured Chad Rogers for 2023.

The Cougars are set to embark on finals, sitting second with a 9-3-1 record following promotion from Division 4. Rogers coached Upper Gully to a flag in Division 3 in 2016.

DIVISION 4

Croydon North-MLOC has begun its hunt to replace outgoing mentor Mark Holly, who has called time on his tenure of four years owing to family reasons.

Holly led the Kanga-Rams into the Eastern league in 2019 and has steered the club to a 3-10 record this season – their best return yet after joining the league three years ago.

Croydon North-MLOC coach Mark Holly has called time on his tenure. Picture: Steve Tanner

He’s coached 14 of the last 16 years including Outer East clubs Seville and Mount Evelyn.

Club president Graham Hewitt said the club would be open to a playing or non-playing coach, and paid tribute to Holly’s tenure.

“Mark and myself had a conversation last year and this has been going on for the last four weeks about next year … Mark’s been there from day one but our record on and off the field speaks for itself and Mark’s been one of the main drivers behind it,” he said.

“I can’t speak highly enough for what Mark has done.”

The search for the club’s next senior coach has already begun and the phones have rung hot, Hewitt said.

“I’ve been around the Eastern footy league long enough to know you can’t sit around and wait … as a club we would be neglectful if we didn’t start the process now.”

Forest Hill senior playing-coach Justin Scicluna has called time on his tenure as the Zebras hunt a spot in the Eastern league Division 4 finals.

The mentor of four years will step down from his post at season’s end, bringing an end to a stint which began in 2019.

Scicluna served as playing-assistant to Martin Stillman from 2014-2018 before taking over in the head role. A decision on his playing future with the Zebras for next year has not yet been reached.

And Surrey Park became the first Division 4 club to farewell its coach this season, with David Jensen parting ways with the Panthers and James Kenworthy instilled as caretaker.