Local footy: Aberfeldie coach Adam Potter re-signs for 2021 EDFL season
Three-time premiership coach Adam Potter explains his decision to re-sign with Aberfeldie for 2021 and addresses the changes to the EDFL club’s senior list.
Local Footy
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Aberfeldie coach Adam Potter says 2021 could be his last season at the helm.
But the three-time premiership mentor said walking away from the top job was not the right option amid the uncertainty of the coronavirus pandemic.
By community football standards, Potter has had a lengthy stint at the Essendon District Football League Premier Division powerhouse after taking charge in 2015.
But the former VFL mentor has led his team to a grand final in each season, with Abers claiming the ultimate prize in 2015, 2017 and 2018.
They could have extended that run in 2020 before the season was canned, but Potter said Aberfeldie’s success was not the only factor behind his decision to extend his tenure.
While he weighed up his “work and family” commitments before re-signing, the connections he has forged at the club ultimately came to the fore.
“Who knows how long I keep coaching the club for,” Potter told Leader Local Footy.
“It possibly is for another 12 months, but I really don’t see myself in the short-term coaching anywhere else at this stage.
“My son will play in the under-10s next year and that’s something we’re really looking forward to.
“It’s a great community club, really family-orientated. Participation is the key and I’m fortunate to be the coach and I really work on that whole of club focus to ensure we’re continuing to be as good as we can be as a local suburban football club.
“The success we’ve had over a period of time has been amazing, but the connections you’re able to make when you walk into a club like this … that’s been a special part of it in terms of meeting new people.
“It’s a great club I’ve been really fortunate to lead.
“In terms of making a decision, it was probably more about that and struggling to let go of the connections with the people.”
Potter said he was hopeful his call to re-commit would result in the majority of his senior squad staying put.
Triple premiership captain Luke Davis, reigning best-and-fairest Sam Cattapan, star recruit Nick Meese, Ryan Allan, Victor Carboni and Zac and Caleb Hislop have signed for next year.
Potter praised the likes of Caleb Hislop, Caboni and Cattapan for “stepping up and taking control of the midfield” in 2019.
Aberfeldie continues to have one eye on the future, with Anthony Horomidis, Clay Mullins, Callum Symons, Jack Arceri, Jack Middleton, Jacob Martin and Mark Gregory making their senior debuts last season, while the reserves and under-19s teams claimed flags.
Abers are set to field a new-look line-up next year, with Luke Blackwell, Jacob Craven, Jess Rush, Mitch Andrews, Jaryd Cachia, Jean Luc-Velissaris, Josh Pound, James Peters and Jorden Braddy departing since their grand final defeat to Keilor.
“We took a bit of a different tact as a club last year. We had seven or eight players who were still eligible to play in the under-19s … and they chose to play up in our reserves,” Potter said.
“There were some real benefits playing four or so of those kids at senior level as well and exposing them and then winning that reserves premiership. That will hopefully hold them in good stead.
“It meant that with only one under-19s team, we could give as many kids (as possible) an opportunity to play at that level as well.
“There are definitely a group of younger players who will hold the club in good stead into the future.
“Since we won our first premiership in 2015, the focus is to have as many of our junior players as we can working their way through the grades into our senior team.”
Potter said Aberfeldie had not dwelled on its eight-point loss in the 2019 decider.
He acknowledged the Blues, who completed an undefeated campaign, were “the best team throughout the year”.
“But I thought we left no stone unturned on that day, trying to get the ultimate prize again,” Potter said.
“We got straight back into business and then obviously we’ve prioritised everyone’s health and well-being over worrying too much about footy.”
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