EFNL 2024: New Kilsyth coach Damian Murray’s message to group in bid to climb ladder

A first-week finals exit this season followed a grand final loss in 2023 – and the recipe for success from new Kilsyth coach is clear. Meanwhile, there’s been some key signings.

EFNL 2024: Kilsyth finished fourth in 2024. Picture: Davis Harrigan

Incoming Kilsyth coach Damian Murray is under no illusions his side must “put in the work” to hunt the heavy-hitters of the Eastern league’s Division 4 next season following a first-week finals exit.

The recently-appointed Murray was unveiled as the Cougars’ senior mentor last month, succeeding Simon Caldwell who stepped down after five years at the helm.

He’ll serve in a playing capacity and brings coaching experience from Bayswater and East Burwood.

Kilsyth finished the home-and-away season in fourth with a 10-6 record before falling to the Whitehorse Pioneers by 30 points in an elimination final.

Murray said his players simply must roll their sleeves up to bridge the gap on their rivals.

“There’s a few that you speak to who are definitely disappointed with how it all finished last year – from my point of view, (Kilsyth was) 10-6, Scoresby and Chirnside were 13-3 and Whitehorse were 11-5,” he said.

“At the end of the day, we’re not in the box-seat. We’ve got to put in the work and we’ve got to do the chasing.

“We’re far from the top – fourth in a seven-man league – we’ve got to put in more hard work than anyone if we’re to chase for the top of the pack.”

The club’s under-19s won a premiership and Murray said the wealth of young talent made the coaching job an attractive prospect, with “95 per cent” of the list set to be retained.

Among them is reigning Division 4 league best and fairest Ryan McNay, while key defender Brandon Droessler would be back from a long-term injury next season.

EFNL 2024: Kilsyth's Ryan McNay. Picture: Davis Harrigan

“On and off field it (the club) is in a pretty stable position,” Murray said.

“It’s a good entry level for myself to be a first-year coach – Simon (Caldwell) is staying on with footy operations.

“It (the coaching appointment) all happened pretty quickly – I was going for another one and was going all right in that process, and this one popped up.

“It got wrapped up the next day after meeting them – they were keen and I was happy. It all gelled.”

The Cougars have also made some key signings.

Key forward Jackson Drake is set to lift their attack, signing on after a recent stint with Premier club Berwick and The Basin prior where he topped the goalkicking in 2021.

The former Eastern Ranges talent is the son of former Kilsyth player Jarrett.

He’s joined by Liam Walter from The Basin, a centre half-forward who can swing back.

Meanwhile, Murray’s on-field role would be a wait-and-see prospect.

“I’m 34, so I’m there 98 per cent to be a coach and two per cent to be a player,” he said.

“My key instinct at this point in time is to let all the boys play where they’re comfortable playing and let them find the consistency and continuity that they need, and I’ll slot in around them.”