EFNL Division 4 2024: Chirnside Park coach Dave Newlands to step down at season’s end

The Eastern Division 4 mentor has called time – but not before one last premiership push.

Chirnside Park coach Dave Newlands will step down at season’s end. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Chirnside Park coach Dave Newlands is determined to finish with a premiership.

The mentor of five years has told the club he will step down at the end of the Eastern Division 4 season.

Appointed in 2019, Newlands helped the Panthers snap a 37-game losing streak in 2021 – their first win since 2017 – before saluting their first finals appearance in 13 years in 2022.

He revealed he was set to call it quits at the end of last year – but a shock three-point loss to Scoresby in an elimination final left him resolute in his quest to deliver the club its first senior men’s flag since 2009.

“Coming into the Scoresby final, I was determined that (2023) was going to be my last year,” Newlands said.

“Looking at the boys after the game, we all looked at each other and said ‘Let’s get this’.

“We feel like we left something on the table.”

The Panthers won nine matches in a row ahead of last year’s finals series, but Newlands recently declared his side to be in better shape for a flag tilt this time around.

Newlands said the time was right to step away.

“I’ve been there through the Covid years as well, and I just think a new voice is needed after five years,” he said.

“The players are really excited with what we can finish off together as 22.

“I’m definitely helping the club on the way out, helping them plan for a new coach and succession.”

The former Mooroolbark assistant is undecided on coaching a club next season.

“To be honest, I definitely haven’t ruled it out, but I’ll just see what comes about,” Newlands said.

“My wife and kids have had me away for so long that they might get me back and push me straight back out the door.

“Never say no, but we’ll see what happens.”

Two home-and-away rounds remain, with Chirnside Park securing a top-two finish and a finals double chance following its 25.22 (172) to 8.7 (55) win over Nunawading on Saturday.

The Panthers sit three games clear in second with a 12-3 record, but play just one more match due to a bye in the last round.

Newlands said developing the club’s youth into senior footballers sat top of his list of accomplishments at the helm.

“The proudest thing I’ve done is play under-19s and ‘17s in my time, and they’re now part of the core of our group playing senior football,” he said.

“I believe to make a club good, you’ve got to make it good for five years, not one.

“This year we finish top two and hopefully go that one step further.

“It (winning) is expected at the club now.”

Chirnside Park hosts Forest Hill on Saturday to close out its home-and-away season.