EFNL 2022: New Wantirna South coach Brett Moyle reveals plans for Division 1 club

Incoming Wantirna South coach Brett Moyle discusses his plans for the club, and why the job was an attractive prospect.

Incoming Wantirna South coach Brett Moyle says it was an opportunity too good to refuse.

Recently appointed to lead the Eastern league Division 1 club, the dual North Ringwood premiership mentor returns to coaching following four years out of the game.

Moyle played 48 matches for St Kilda from 2000 to 2004, before helping Balwyn to two premierships in 2005 and ’08 – the latter as captain.

Brett Moyle led North Ringwood to two flags. Picture: Davis Harrigan

He later coached North Ringwood into the league’s top division following flags in 2012 and ’14, before heading up the Eastern league’s representative side in 2017 alongside outgoing Devils mentor Steve Cochrane.

Moyle, who led North Ringwood a second time in 2018, said Wantirna South’s “upward trajectory” made the role an attractive prospect, with its seniors contesting finals and the reserves winning a premiership.

“(Steve Cochrane) and I worked together on the EFL rep team back five or six years and knowing what a good operator he is, he would’ve coached Wanny South like a Premier Division club for the last four years,” Moyle said.

“He definitely got them on an upward trajectory, reserves playing finals, two under-19 teams, and seniors playing their first finals in six years … all those things make it a really attractive job.”

Brett Moyle (right) coached the Eastern league to a nail-biting win over the EDFL in 2017. Picture: Stuart Milligan

The Devils’ first finals campaign since 2016 came to a close following a first-week exit at the hands of Montrose.

While Moyle believes the foundations are laid for success, attention has quickly turned to recruiting.

He declared he’ll seek a “Premier Division-level, or better, playing-assistant” this off-season among other recruits.

Wantirna South played finals for the first time since 2016 this year. Picture: Hamish Blair

“I feel at this level a playing-assistant can be of real value – we (senior coaches) watch the game from ground level and one side, whereas a playing-assistant can see it from a different angle – an on-field coach,” Moyle said.

“Someone thinking it’s maybe the next step in their footy, maybe 28 to 32 (years old) and a couple of years of doing this before they step into their own role and learn a little bit while still playing a really good level of footy.

“I feel the nucleus is there, but with that said, at any level, if you want to take that jump it always helps to add one or two of additional quality.

“Recruiting is not an easy gig, but I guess that’s what I’ll be trying to do is just add to the group a little bit and continue to grow the group as Steve (Cochrane) has grown it over the previous four years.”

The 42-year-old has run his own mortgage-broking business – Home Loan Saint – for the past 12 years.

But four years out of the coaching arena made the ex-Saint hungry for another opportunity.

“I’ve just missed being part of a footy club to be honest,” Moyle said.

“They’re just really good environments to be in, and I’m keen to have another crack at it – looking forward to the challenge of trying to win a premiership with Wantirna South in Division 1.”