EFNL Division 3: Trent Martin steps down as Silvan coach

Long-serving Cats coach Trent Martin has stepped down following his side’s after-the-siren finals loss on Sunday. Latest here.

SILVAN has joined the long line of Eastern league clubs on the hunt for a senior coach following the resignation of Trent Martin.

The Cats mentor of six years stood down in the wake of his side’s after-the-siren elimination final loss to Oakleigh District on Sunday.

Martin landed the Silvan role as playing-coach ahead of the 2018 season – taking the club to a premiership in Division 4 in 2022.

Trent Martin has called time as coach. Picture: Davis Harrigan

The 38-year-old father of three cited family reasons for his decision to step down – but he hasn’t ruled out playing on next season.

He said Sunday’s four-point loss had made it tougher to call time on his tenure, with the Cats tipped out of the flag race after finishing the Division 3 home-and-away season in third spot.

“That’s what made it even worse for me, it was a bit emotional, knowing that I was going to do that (step down),” Martin said.

“One minute I’m getting ready to have an ice bath and ready for a prelim, the next I’m stepping down as coach.

“But there’s a chance I still might play on.”

Martin’s playing career has also stretched across Claremont in the WA state league and Eastern club Croydon, where he served as under-19s coach.

Martin was best afield in Silvan’s Division 4 premiership in 2022. Picture: Davis Harrigan

He was best afield in Silvan’s grand final win last year and bows out as its longest-serving mentor.

He said while last season’s flag was his proudest achievement at the club, this year’s finals berth in a higher division wasn’t to be undersold.

“I came over here for one year, and now 12 years later, three kids and two footy clubs,” Martin said.

“The premiership was the pinnacle, but I’m equally as proud this year to make a finals series in third division (after) losing eight premiership players, not recruiting too many and being able to develop the list we had.

“To finish third and play in a final was something that nobody (externally) expected us to do.”