Former premiership player and VAFA president returns to Tigers as coach

MICHAEL Hazell has done a lot in football. Now comes the challenge of coaching one of his former clubs.

TEN years after helping St Bedes Mentone Tigers to their A section premiership, Michael Hazell is returning to the club as senior coach.

Hazell knows the VAFA scene from the very top, having served as president of the association from 2012-15.

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He had been selected to the board in 2008, soon after retiring on the high of the Tigers’ premiership, won under the coaching of Luke Beveridge.

It was the club’s first A section flag and its third on the bounce.

Hazell played at Oakleigh and Springvale in the VFA/VFL and crossed to the amateurs in 1996, joining Salesian.

Stints followed at Old Melburnians and the Tigers.

Hazell was also a regular VAFA representative player.

Outside of football, he established the Melbourne commercial law firm Kelly Hazell Quill Lawyers.

Hazell returns to Brindisi St to replace his 2008 premiership teammate Sam Anstey, who stood down after two years.

The Tigers had a frustrating 2018, finishing on the bottom of the ladder at 4-14 after a string of narrow losses.

“In appointing Michael, the club was very attracted to his emphasis on coaching the entire club, players and coaches alike,’’ the Tigers said in a statement this afternoon.

“His coaching model aligned very closely with what the club was looking for in order to create sustainable long term success in the VAFA, not just at the critical senior level, but more broadly across all the teams at our club.’’