EFL: The Basin coaching job the ‘perfect gig’ according to outgoing mentor Justin Stanton

Justin Stanton’s tenure as The Basin coach came to a close on Sunday – but the outgoing mentor believes the vacant seat to be an “exciting” prospect for his successor. Here’s why.

Justin Stanton’s tenure as The Basin senior coach is over – but the outgoing mentor believes the position to be an “exciting” prospect for his successor.

Stanton’s five-year stint drew to a close on Sunday as the Bears were eliminated from the Eastern league Division 2 finals at the hands of Boronia – nine points separating the pair at the final siren.

His run at Batterham Reserve began in September 2017 – taking the club to finals in his first campaign in charge in 2018.

Stanton said it was the “perfect time” to step away from the role to allow a new voice, as he moves onto his “next exciting challenge” of coaching West Gippsland league outfit Nar Nar Goon in 2023.

The Basin coach Justin Stanton has called time on his stint. Picture: Davis Harrigan

“After five years, the relationship between myself and the (Basin) footy club has never been stronger, but I was just mindful that I would hate for it to fracture sometime into the sixth year, because six years is a long time at the one club,” Stanton said.

“I felt rather than be selfish and continue on, I felt it was the perfect time for a new voice and new leaders to take this group to the next level.

“Equally, it was also the right time for me to jump into the next exciting challenge that I have which is to coach in the West Gippsland Football League.”

The Basin finished fourth this season to play finals – after going winless through its opening four matches.

It missed key personnel in Sunday’s narrow loss – including forward Matt Rennie (red carded) and ruckman Ethan Power (head knock) in the second half.

“To the guys’ credit, they gave it their all and we were just the walking-wounded late in the game,” Stanton said.

But the outgoing Bears mentor leaves his post “most proud” of the club’s rebuild of the past five years.

“We all collectively had a vision and it involved us rebuilding the club to put us in a position where we could have long-term success should we win a premiership and go up to the next division,” Stanton said.

“That’s now culminated in two under-19 teams where we barely had one when I first got there, the under-19 ones finished on top of the ladder this year.

“Our reserves was full of old guys whose best footy was behind them, now it’s full of young, vibrant kids and they played finals this year, and likewise with the senior list.

“The club’s in a terrific position with a lot of depth, and it’s well-managed off-field.”

The Basin fought back from a winless opening four rounds to play finals this season. Picture: Stuart Milligan

Stanton described the vacant coaching position as the “perfect gig for someone to take over”.

“That’s what the conversations were with myself, the president and the footy manager – let’s get that into a situation where after five years we can pass it on to the next coach who’s got something really exciting to work with rather than something that’s falling apart,” he said.

Stanton believes the similarities between The Basin and Nar Nar Goon are vast.

Nar Nar Goon also finished fourth at the end of the season but was eliminated in week one of the finals with an emerging list.

Coupled with coaching in a different league, the gig was an “appealing” one to Stanton.

“I hadn’t coached in that competition before,” Stanton said.

“There’s a lot of similarities to Nar Nar Goon and The Basin – a young, exciting list, it’s a vibrant, well-supported club, and they’ve got a committee that are very active and motivated and aspiring for some success.”