EFNL 2022: Scoresby’s Kristian Bardsley steps down as coach

Scoresby’s Kristian Bardsley explains why he chose to step down as mentor at the Eastern club – and reveals his next move in coaching.

SCORESBY must find a new senior coach following Kristian Bardsley’s resignation.

The club has confirmed it has begun its search for its next mentor after Bardsley called time on a tenure which began following the 2019 season.

The Magpies finished second-last this year with a 4-12 record – but suffered a fourth relegation in eight years with the bottom two dropped to Division 4.

Bardsley, who coached the club into the top-flight in 2006 with a Division 2 flag, said stepping down from his second stint at the helm was best for both parties.

He cited he was “frustrated” owing to a number of factors, with his near three seasons at the helm netting just one complete season due to the Covid pandemic.

In 2021, Bardsley led the club to a 5-5-1 result and a sixth-placed finish before the campaign was wiped.

Kristian Bardsley has called time on his second stint as Scoresby coach. Picture: Davis Harrigan

“It was a little bit of everything,” Bardsley said of his decision to step down.

“I was getting very frustrated with how things were going and from my point of view and the club’s point of view, it was best that I step away and they can get a fresh start.

“They got dropped to Division 3 (at the end of 2019), then we had no play at all (in 2020), then you lose salary cap, (and) it was very hard to recruit.

“At the moment there’s no under-19s (at the club) and that was frustrating in terms of numbers on the track … I thought the best thing to do for me personally and for the club was to have a break and go our separate ways.

“They can reset and I can look at other opportunities.”

Despite only winning four matches this year, Bardsley pointed to his side’s two-point win over Warrandyte in Round 7 as a highlight, but was left to rue four lost matches by 12 points or less.

Scoresby suffered a fourth relegation in eight years this season. Picture: Davis Harrigan

“From my point of view, we actually didn’t have a bad year this year, losing 12 of our best 22 players, having a real young list, (and) we were pretty competitive in most games,” Bardsley said.

“When we started getting injuries, the lack of depth really hurt.

“I think we did pretty well this year considering what happened the year before and we lost all the players and we couldn’t recruit.

“It is what it is and the results are what they are … going down to Division 4, they might be able to reset.”

Bardsley, who played 58 AFL matches from 1992 to 1998 across St Kilda and North Melbourne, hasn’t ruled out a return to coaching next season.

“I’ve got to work out if I want to coach myself, or do I go and help someone out? I’ve still got a burning desire to coach, and I feel I’ve still got a lot to offer.”