EFNL 2024: Kristan Height appointed South Belgrave coach for 2025 and 2026

The Eastern Division 1 club has turned up an ace in its late hunt for a senior coach, unveiling a flag-winning mentor and state league assistant. Latest here.

Kristan Height’s phone first lit up a year or so ago.

Twelve months on, and he’s been unveiled as South Belgrave’s next senior coach.

He replaces outgoing mentor Heath Black, whose shock resignation in late September came after just one year in charge.

Fresh out of the VFL system where he served as midfield coach at the Box Hill Hawks, Height said the Eastern league Division 1 power came calling at the end of 2023.

The initial contact piqued his interest in the club.

EFNL 2024: New South Belgrave coach Kristan Height lands in the role fresh from a stint at Box Hill where he served as midfield coach. Picture: Supplied

“They reached out last year to be honest, and I probably wasn’t ready to leave the VFL at that stage,” Height said.

“Because they reached out over a year ago, I was keeping closer tabs on South Belgrave as a footy club as potentially somewhere to go later.

“When the job opened up again, they made another call and this time around, the fourth year at VFL level, I thought maybe it’s a chance to go back to local level and see what we can do.”

Height, who won a best and fairest at top-division club Blackburn in 2008, returns to the Eastern league after more than a decade away.

The Echuca product had returned to country footy before a premiership-winning stint as playing-coach with VAFA outfit Whitefriars from 2018-2021, lifting the Division 2 cup in an unbeaten campaign in ’19.

The former VFL Hawk also took home two club champion awards in his Whitefriars stay as well as the competition best and fairest in the premiership year.

Kristan Height in action for Whitefriars during the 2019 VAFA Division 2 GF. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Whitefriars sat equal-first on the ladder when the 2021 season was wiped due to Covid, with opportunity knocking for Height at state level soon after.

Height said the abrupt ending had left him hungry for more success as a local coach.

“I think over the four seasons that I was coaching (Whitefriars), we only lost maybe four or five games,” he said.

“We also won a couple of reserves premierships … unfortunately, Covid did hit a couple of seasons there where we were right in the mix to go again.

“The opportunity arose at Box Hill arose after that … unfortunately I had to step away from a bit of unfinished business at Whitefriars, but you’ve got to take those opportunities when they come.”

South Belgrave’s shock grand final loss in 2023 was followed by a straight-sets exit from the finals this year after finishing second at the end of the home-and-away season.

Height said most of the list had been re-signed for 2025 and was confident the Saints could make the most of a premiership window.

Most of the South Belgrave list has recommitted for next season. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

“Obviously their playing list is in a position to go for it – their reserves won it this year which shows great depth, they’ve got some good under-19s coming through and they’ve got a good connection with the Lysterfield (junior) football club,” he said.

“Their list I know are really keen to have a real crack at it again after falling short the last couple of seasons.

“The club on and off the field looks really well structured and managed from the president down, and you can’t win premierships if the whole club’s not buying in.

“I’m really excited to be involved and hopefully pass on a bit of wisdom and education and get the club to what they’re striving to get to.”