EFNL 2022: Blake Pearson unveiled as new Oakleigh District coach

A VFL premiership winner will lead District next season, as he reveals his plan to help turn the winless club around in the EFNL’s Division 3.

Oakleigh District has unveiled its new senior coach, with a VFL premiership gun taking the reins.

Blake Pearson will steer the club next season following a stint with Norwood in the Eastern league’s top tier where he tied for the comp’s best and fairest in 2021, the Chandler Medal.

He committed to the Norsemen full-time following the 2019 season, but had been aligned to the club during a state league career which took in 89 matches for Port Melbourne including the 2017 flag.

Blake Pearson in action for Norwood in the EFNL’s top-flight.

The midfielder, who replaces Paul Howroyd as coach, will link up with brother Ryan who plays at the club.

A passion for coaching along with the family connection helped the 27-year-old across the line.

“Ever since I was 18 or so I’ve always known that I’ve wanted to go into coaching and it’s probably a little earlier than expected but the opportunity came up with Oakleigh District and I thought now’s a good time to jump into it,” Pearson said.

“He (Ryan) was obviously pretty keen to get me across and into coaching so the factor of playing with Ryan as well … we’ve played only three (matches) together so it’ll be nice to run out alongside him.”

Pearson soars for Norwood. Picture: Field of View Photography

Pearson, who will be 28 at the start of next season, is under no illusions about the enormity of the challenge ahead.

Oakleigh District made the move from the Southern league ahead of this season and finished at the foot of the Division 2 table in its inaugural Eastern league campaign.

Winless from 18 matches, District’s average losing margin this season was 136 points, which included losses by 150 points or more on eight occasions.

Its lowest losing margin was 55 points at the hands of Knox in Round 3 and will play in Division 3 next year after being relegated.

Pearson believes this season was a “learning year for the club”, as he looks to improve structure and strategy this off-season.

“Looking from afar with Ryan at the club, I’ve seen a couple of games a year with them and one of the things that stood out to me was a lack of structure and strategy with the way the boys have gone about it, certainly after their premiership in Southern in 2015,” Pearson said.

“A lot of the work that we’ll be doing over pre-season in summer will be based on our game-plan and teaching guys, how to play our structure and our system.

“We think a lot of growth will come from the group in terms of learning a new system in a way to play football.”

The former state league name will also look to leverage his contacts on the recruiting front.

Former Essendon tall Aaron Henneman is on-board as footy manager and head of recruiting, who Pearson “wouldn’t rule out a senior return” from.

“We’ve also been pretty bullish with some recruits we think will help us lift our standards and improve our on-field performances as well,” Pearson said.

“We’re really trying to get back a lot of the young Oakleigh players that have left, because they’re in the age demographic of 23-24 that can really push the club for the next five or so years.

“Also using my connections with Port Melbourne and the Eastern footy league as well to get some top-end talent in.”

Blake Pearson on the go for Port Melbourne. Picture: AAP Image/Julian Smith

Pearson has an eye on building a junior program and under-19s as he looks to help set the club for sustained success.

He’ll also look to impart his experience on the current group.

“My main priority is helping out the guys around me and teaching them what Premier Division football standards are like and how they can improve, but by and large I’m still there to be playing the best football I can,” Pearson said.

“It’s an opportunity and a challenge I’m looking forward to and hopefully we can have some success along the way.”