EFNL 2022: Balwyn, Rodney Eade part ways

Eastern league powerhouse Balwyn has parted ways with senior coach Rodney Eade. Latest here.

BALWYN has split with senior coach Rodney Eade.

The Eastern league Premier Division club confirmed the shock move on Thursday morning, following the Tigers’ first-week finals exit.

The former AFL coach was unveiled as Balwyn mentor in January 2018, leading the club to finals in 2019 and ’22.

His time at Cherry Rd ends with a 44-23 win-loss record, with a highest finish of second in 2019 when the club contested a preliminary final.

Balwyn placed fourth this season with a 14-4 result, suffering an elimination final defeat to Doncaster East by 63 points on Sunday.

Rodney Eade and Balwyn have parted ways. PICTURE: AAP Image/James Ross

Club president Richard Wilson said there was “nothing sinister” about the split, adding the weekend’s result had no bearing on the decision.

“It was just time for Balwyn to move forward – nothing’s forever,” he said.

“It’s been five years and he’s done a significant job for us. For both of us it was an opportunity to go into the next chapter of our worlds.

“Every coach gets hired and clubs and coaches make decisions to move on … there’s all sorts of reasons to it … but this is just simply he’ll continue coaching somewhere else and the club will look for a new coach.”

Eade’s coaching career has included stints with Sydney, Western Bulldogs and Gold Coast after a VFL career which took in four flags with Hawthorn.

Wilson said the club would again look for experience in its search for the next coach.

“Number one (priority) for us is experience,” Wilson said.

“The way the system is, we need an experienced coach who can help recruit, lead and really invest in the club.”

The coaching move comes just days after Wilson announced he was stepping down from his long-time post as president.

But Wilson confirmed he would be part of the selection process for the club’s next mentor, with his tenure not due to finish for months yet.

Wilson’s 18-year stint has taken in six senior premierships – five of those in the Eastern league – with the club making the move from the Southern league in 2007.

“It’s well and truly time for the next chapter,” Wilson said.

“It’s been a great journey and I’ve been fortunate to have been part of it and lead it for 18 years, (the move) from the Southern league into Eastern has probably been the most strategic and important decision for the club.

“To have success along the way makes it a lot more enjoyable.”