EFNL Division 1 2024: Bayswater, coach Marc Hardy part ways

Bayswater and premiership coach Marc Hardy have split, with the Eastern league great already taking calls from rival clubs. The 430-gamer reveals what’s next ...

Marc Hardy and Bayswater have parted ways. Picture: Davis Harrigan

Rival clubs have circled outgoing Bayswater mentor Marc Hardy, but the four-time premiership champion says he’ll step back from coaching after parting ways with the Eastern Division 1 outfit.

Bayswater last week confirmed the split, advertising its senior coaching position with one home-and-away match remaining.

“The club has made the difficult decision to search for a new senior coaching team for season 2025 and beyond,” the club said in a statement.

Hardy, who returned to the helm at the end of 2022 after coaching the club to the 2005 flag, said he wanted to lead the club next season but declined to reapply for the role.

The Waters finished their campaign with a 5-13 record, with Hardy wary his job was in trouble several weeks ago.

“I knew which way it was heading,” Hardy said, who also played in the club’s 1995 premiership.

“They gave me the option to reapply for the job, which is pretty much writing on the wall sort of stuff.

“I informed the club that at this stage I wasn’t looking to do that … it’s a bit disappointing, but it is what it is.

“I wanted the option (to coach) at least, but unfortunately when you get judged by those who are a bit higher up, what do you say?”

Despite interest from other clubs, Hardy said he would hang up the whistle for now.

Playing-coach for Bayswater’s 2005 nail-biting triumph in Division 3, Hardy also led Rowville from 2008 to ’09 and Boronia from 2013 to ’15.

He played some 430 games in the Eastern league across stops at Bayswater, Rowville, Vermont, Boronia and Scoresby.

On Saturday he presented son Bailey his senior guernsey on debut for the Waters.

“I’ve already had offers (to coach), but I think you’ve got to be passionate about a job to give it everything,” Hardy said.

“At this stage my son’s playing, so I think I’ll just be a parent next year and have a bit of time away from it.”

Bailey was among a swag of debutants this season.

“I got to present his jumper to him, and he played really well – he kicked a goal, so I was ecstatic,” Hardy said.

“He’s a wingman, a left-footer and runs well.

“We played 11 first-gamers this year, which is pretty much unheard of. It’s great for the footy club and sets them up.”

The Waters finish the season in eighth spot following a 90-point loss to finals-bound Beaconsfield – but Hardy said the group was “tracking in the right direction”.

“We were very competitive in all but three games this year which was a great effort, pushing South Belgrave last week and leading at three-quarter time,” he said.

“Good luck to them in the future, they’re great kids.”