EFNL 2022: Donvale great Jason Wade to coach The Basin

Senior coaching had long been on the radar for league great Jason Wade. The 400-gamer reveals why the time was right to make the jump, and why he’s inheriting an exciting prospect.

An Eastern league great will steer The Basin next season – and he says he’s inheriting an exciting prospect.

Jason Wade has been unveiled as the Bears’ new mentor in his first senior coaching appointment.

The Donvale champion clocked up more than 400 games across a decorated career which included two senior flags, three senior best-and-fairests, multiple appearances at representative level and the club captaincy.

Wade played more than 400 games across a decorated career. Picture: Supplied

And it’s been some apprenticeship served in the coaching ranks.

Fresh off a three-year stint as Donvale’s midfield coach, he’s held posts at Vermont where he guided the under-17s to a flag, as well as leading the ‘Vales’ under-18 girls and reserves outfits.

Wade said a senior role had long been on the radar.

“Probably about five weeks to go in the season I started seriously thinking about coaching,” he said.

“I’ve always wanted to coach but obviously because I loved playing so much, I played a few games this year but the body was no good.

“I did a bit of investigating and I wanted to coach a really good, young list and I knew The Basin had two under-19 teams … then three weeks later, the job was up and advertised. I rang up and had a chat.

“I’ve done a fair bit of coaching, and I really enjoy it – I was always going to have a go at it (senior coaching).”

The Basin featured in its first finals series since 2018 this season, finishing fourth with a 9-8-1 record in Division 2.

The Basin finished fourth this season. Picture: Stuart Milligan

Wade said the emerging list made the job an attractive proposition.

“The under-19s won the premiership and six or seven of those kids had a taste of senior football,” he said.

“We just need to get a bit more improvement from within the group and it won’t take much to be right up in the top-end, hopefully.

“I don’t think we need to recruit too much, but obviously you always need to be on the lookout.

“The main thing is improving the group another 10-15 per cent … the young boys are another year older now so a little bit of recruiting hopefully, but not too much.”

Wade was part of a Donvale coaching line-up which guided the senior group to a grand final berth in Division 3 this season, falling short by two points.

He’s under no illusions about the challenges of the next division up.

“Donvale played East Burwood in a practice match this year, we weren’t too far off them, so I know what to expect,” he said.

“You’ve got to be on week in, week out.”