Local clubs ‘spoiled for choice’ as AFL coaches come calling
Sidelined AFL assistants are scrambling for new roles at suburban level, with several already applying for a VAFA powerhouse’s top role. And local clubs are exploring their options in anticipation of snaring coaches from footy’s top flight.
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AFL assistants sidelined by COVID-19 and reduced “soft-cap’’ spending are chasing positions in local football, giving clubs highly credentialed candidates for their coaching jobs.
The coronavirus pandemic forced all AFL clubs to reduce their panels, with about 30 coaches stood down.
VFL premiership mentors Bradley Gotch (Collingwood) and Damian Carroll (Hawthorn) are among them.
The Hawks also had to lose Max Bailey, Brett Deledio, Marco Bellow and Torin Baker.
Speaking after his reappointment at Cheltenham this week, former Richmond defender Des Ryan said there would be “some very good coaches looking for jobs’’ in the next few months.
He said suburban clubs should be “spoiled for choice’’.
VAFA Premier power Collegians is advertising its senior position and president Mark Hibbins confirmed a number of serving and stood-down AFL assistants had applied.
The Lions have extended the closing date for applications from August 7 to 17 in the hope of attracting more good candidates.
AFL clubs usually have until August 1 to inform assistant coaches if they will be returning the following year.
“There’s no question we’ve had calls and inquiries and some applications from people involved at AFL clubs,’’ Hibbins said.
“There have been indirect conversations with people on our committee, there have been direct telephone conversations with myself because I’m heading up the coaching committee, and from those conversations we’ve had direct applications.
“I guess have a lot of them have been stood down and are waiting to see what happens.’’
Hibbins said that although the Collegians position was drawing candidates it would not usually receive, the club would not necessarily go with a “name’’.
He said the Lions were ultimately looking for the best coach.
“Now the best coach may be someone stepping out of the AFL who is only going to do it for a year or two in the hope they can return to the AFL coaching scene,’’ Hibbins said.
“We also understand the role needs someone who is enthusiastic and motivated and would like to be involved and make Collegians their club. So we’re not just going for a name. It’s a balancing act.
“Yes, we’ll get some applications we wouldn’t otherwise get in a normal year in terms of that AFL experience, but we’re also mindful there are very good coaches out there who don’t come from the AFL and who really want to make a difference to Collegians, who are enthusiastic and well-organised and motivated.’’
In the Eastern league, Division 2 club Knox parted ways with its first-year coach, Wayne Van Der Ross, after opening up its coaching position for 2021.
The Falcons, who were set to compete in the EFL’s third tier this season after suffering relegation at the end of 2019, said the club had a duty to “explore its options” after anticipating the availability of coaches from higher levels of football.
Van Der Ross “chose not to” reapply for the coaching position upon being told it was being advertised.
“We’ve heard different rumours about different people and coaches not having jobs in the AFL and VFL, potentially opening up and different people falling down to different levels,” Knox president Scott Woodward said.
“We basically said that, well, we want to open it up and do some targeting … we’ve got to try and put the club in the best possible position moving forward.”
AFL Coaches Associations chief executive officer Mark Brayshaw said there was “no question’’ AFL assistant coaches would be filtering down to local level.
He said some of the coaches who had been stood down had been “shocked and disappointed’’ in the first few weeks.
“But most of them are pragmatic people and have said, ‘Right, let’s get on to Plan B’, and they all love coaching,’’ Brayshaw said.
“That’s why I reckon a tier or two beneath the AFL … a lot of these guys will be wanting to get part-time jobs and coaching at the local level would be an idea fit.’’
Brayshaw said he had heard the Collegians positions had attracted a lot of interest.
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