Local footy: All the new senior coaches for season 2021
There will be plenty of fresh faces calling the shots in local football in 2021. We’ve taken a look at the state of play in the coaching ranks, with eight former AFL players accepting jobs.
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There has been no shortage of movement in the community football coaching ranks after the 2020 season was cancelled amid the coronavirus crisis.
Ex-AFL, AFLW and VFL coaches headline the changes at local level.
AFL OUTER EAST
Stuart Hill (Upwey-Tecoma): Former champion EFL defender Hill moves into the Tigers’ head role, taking over from the outgoing Adam Parker who has headed back to Vermont. Hill forged a successful playing career in the Eastern league at top-flight club Norwood, winning a premiership in 2014 under master-coach Denis Knight to go with several Team of the Year selections and interleague appearances. He made the move to Upwey-Tecoma at the end of 2019 where he was set to serve as an assistant to Parker this season.
Jarrod Bayliss (Powelltown): Premiership mentor Bayliss returns to the coaches’ box in 2021 after making the move from Mooroolbark where he was set to play this season, following stints with Vermont and Wandin in 2019. Bayliss coached Park Orchards to the 2017 EFL Division 3 flag after leading Wandin from 2010 to 2014 and again in 2016 before a year off coaching last year.
Russell Humphrey (Broadford): Humphrey will lead the ‘Roos in 2021 following a club announcement that 2019 coach Jamie Kelly had stepped down from the role but would continue to serve among the club’s football department. He joins the AFL Outer East Division 2 outfit from the Calder Cannons where he served as the female talent coordinator before his role among many others in the AFL system were made redundant earlier this year. Humphrey has previously held roles at Wallan coaching the under-17s and reserves, as well as Northern league clubs Hurstbridge and Northcote Park, EDFL club Craigieburn and NAB league club Oakleigh Chargers. He is set to serve as Broadford’s inaugual coach in the Outer East comp.
Wayne Van Der Ross (Yarra Glen): The former Knox mentor was set to coach at the EFL Division 2 club in 2020 but parted ways with the Falcons in July after declining to reapply for the position following a club review. Van Der Ross lands at the AFL Outer East Division 2 outfit having served as a senior assistant and reserves coach at Glen Waverley Hawks between 2010 and 2013, also serving in the same roles at Lilydale across 2018-19. His playing career took in a premiership with Silvan in 2004, along with stints at Nunawading and Fairpark.
Paul Brown (Yea): The Division 2 club will be led by Paul Brown in 2021 who brings a wealth of experience to the Tigers. Past roles have included serving as assistant at Dandenong, coaching under-18s at Officer and a two-year stint as senior coach of Sandown. The Tigers finished in eighth position last season with a 1-15 record and will be aided by playing assistants Daniel Evans and Ash Walsh, the former a three-time best and fairest winner and the latter a previous senior coach at the club.
EASTERN FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Adam Parker (Vermont): The recently retired Parker succeeds Harmit Singh in the top job after the dual Eagles premiership coach exited the role in June to take on the Warragul Industrials gig. Parker, who played in two Vermont premierships across 2018-19, makes the move back from AFL Outer East top-flight club Upwey-Tecoma where he was set to coach in 2020 before the season shutdown took hold.
Brendan Fulton (Lilydale):The former Blackburn senior assistant has landed the Falcons’ gig, taking over from outgoing mentor Ben Neagle. Fulton was set to serve as an assistant at Mornington league club Frankston YCW in 2020 before the season shutdown, and in 2019 served as a part-time development coach at the GWS Giants Academy. He also served in assistant and reserves coaching roles at Chelsea Heights across 2015-16.
Brendan Whitecross (Knox): Former Hawthorn defender Whitecross takes on the Falcons’ coaching job after the club opened up the position for applicants, of which then-coach Wayne Van Der Ross “chose not to” reapply. Whitecross played 111 matches for the Hawks from 2008-18 and featured in VFL affiliate Box Hill’s 2018 premiership. He subsequently played for North Melbourne’s VFL outfit in 2019 as a playing-assistant coach.
Paul Donahoo (Warrandyte): Donahoo will lead the Bloods in 2021, succeeding outgoing coach Anthony McGregor. Donahoo arrived at the Bloods in 2019 where he played as an inside midfielder after crossing from VAFA outfit Prahan Assumption. He also played with EFL powerhouse Noble Park during the club’s premiership-winning era in the 2000s.
Luke Tynan (Upper Ferntree Gully): The former star VFL defender succeeds outgoing first-year coach Stephen De Luca, after he informed the club of his decision to step down from the role due to family and work commitments. Tynan landed at the Kings at the end of 2019 and was set to serve as a playing-assistant in 2020 before the season was abandoned. He brings a wealth of experience to the Division 1 outfit having played 150 state league matches across Casey and Port Melbourne. Tynan also tied for the Borough’s best and fairest in a premiership year in 2017 and was named in the VFL Team of the Year on three occasions.
Nick Rutley (Heathmont): Former state league and AFLW mentor Rutley has been appointed Jets coach for the next three years following Kyle Emley’s resignation in August for family-related work reasons. Rutley brings a wealth of experience, having served as an assistant for both Carlton and North Melbourne’s women’s programs, head coach of the Dandenong Stingrays’ girls side and development coach at VFL outfits Box Hill and Casey. He also led Wandin to the 2018 premiership in AFL Outer East’s top division.
Ben Wise (Rowville): The former Balwyn star will steer the Hawks next season, taking over from outgoing coach John Brown. Wise is no stranger to success in the EFL’s top tier, having played in Balwyn’s 2008 premiership side. After hanging up the boots at Cherry Road in 2016, Wise headed to Kilcunda-Bass as assistant for 2017 before linking up with Brown at Rowville from 2018 as senior assistant, where the club has played in the past two top division finals series.
ESSENDON DISTRICT FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Paul Barnard (Essendon Doutta Stars): The former Essendon utility has taken over the top job from Kyle Hardingham at the stars. He is a familiar figure at the EDFL Premier Division outfit having had two stints as an assistant – under AFL premiership teammates John Barnes and Dean Wallis – on top of being a player at senior and junior level and committeeman. Barnard previously coached Craigieburn and was general manager of VFL club Box Hill Hawks.
Darren Bewick (Greenvale): The dual Essendon premiership player has replaced Paul Chapman at the Jets after electing not to take on a full-time role in the NAB League. Bewick took over as Eastern Ranges’ coach in 2010 and has also spent time at Gippsland Power and North Melbourne since his AFL playing days ended in 2000.
Brad Swain (Maribyrnong Park): A former assistant coach with state league clubs Port Melbourne and South Launceston for five years, Swain has replaced Dean Laidley at the helm. The 36-year-old is enthused by the young talent at Maribyrnong Park.
Arron Bray (Rupertswood): Bray will guide the Sharks into a new era in the Essendon District Football League after signing a two-year deal. Bray steered Broadford to consecutive preliminary final appearances in the RDFL in 2015 and 2016 and also led the competition’s interleague team. Rupo has made the move from the RDFL.
Leigh Sporle (Sunbury Kangaroos): The 40-year-old is a life member at Sunbury Kangaroos and replaces Anthony Leydin in the top job. Sporle coached Rockbank in 2013 before returning as a co-coach in 2017. He has also held assistant roles with Coburg Districts and Moonee Valley.
MORNINGTON PENINSULA NEPEAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Adrian Connolly (Bonbeach): this year’s Sandringham VFL senior coach will look to lead the talented young Sharks outfit towards the ultimate success in the 2021 MPNFL season. Connolly’s 20-year coaching record includes stints with Ormond, De La Salle and St Bede’s Mentone in the VAFA, together with two years as midfield coach at Frankston Dolphins before joining Sandringham as a senior assistant coach in 2017.
Clint Einsiedel (Hastings): The East Brighton Vampires two-time premiership player will be the Blues’ first non-playing coach since 2002 as the MPNFL Division 2 club searches for a “new dynamic’’. Einsiedel has previously coached Springvale Districts, Heatherton and Trafalgar (including a premiership in 2018).
NORTHERN FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Steve Saddington (Northcote Park): The dual North Heidelberg premiership coach will return to his junior club in 2021. Saddington is a dual premiership player at the NFL Division 1 outfit, best-and-fairest winner and made about 200 appearances for the Cougars over a 15-year career. He was an assistant coach at EDFL club Pascoe Vale in 2018 and 2019.
Jimmy Atkins (Laurimar): The NFL Division 3 club has locked in Atkins for 2021 but is hopeful he will be at the Power beyond next year. Atkins has previously led Kinglake and Whittlesea and comes to Laurimar after a stint as a senior assistant at Montmorency.
Lionel Proctor (Fitzroy Stars): A great of the club and the league, Proctor takes the reins from Dean Rioli who didn’t get to coach a game due to the cancelled season. Proctor doesn’t have any senior coaching experience but his legacy at the Fitzroy Stars will ensure he has the respect of his playing group from the get go.
RIDDELL DISTRICT FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Paul Kennedy (Romsey): The former Hurstbridge, Diamond Creek and Heathcote coach takes the reins at Romsey after leaving Airport West - where he was due to serve as assistant in 2020. Kennedy replaces Corey O’Sullivan and will be hoping to turn the Redbacks’ strong regular season form into finals success. A former Collingwood under-19s player with a proven record to developing youth.
SOUTHERN FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Graeme Yeats (Port Melbourne Colts): The former Melbourne back pocket replaces ex-Western Bulldogs star Lindsay Gilbee, who stood down after two years. Yeats is coming off a five-year term at Edithvale-Aspendale, where he enjoyed four consecutive finals appearances. He and the club parted ways after a thin 2019 season. Yeats will be the most credentialed coach in the Southern league in 2021: he steered Sandringham to the 2000 VFL premiership and guided the Dandenong Stingrays from 2004 to 2013.
Nathan “Nanga’’ Wilson (Hampton Park): The Doveton Eagles and Doveton premiership player moves into his first senior role after serving two years as an assistant to Clint Wilson at the Eagles, Division 2 premiership winners in 2019. Wilson replaces Shannon Henwood, who was appointed for 2020 but never got to move a magnet and has since returned to Doveton as a senior player.
VICTORIAN AMATEUR FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION
Jared Rivers (Collegians): The Lions were spoiled for choice as they set about replacing their two-time grand final coach Shane Joyce: if the rumours are right, five of the candidates had been senior VFL coaches. In the end they went with former Melbourne and Geelong defender Jared Rivers, who had been bumped from North Melbourne’s coaching staff because of COVID-19. Rivers, 35, had moved to the Roos from Collingwood, where he coached its VFL team for three years, including to two finals appearances. “Ultimately it was a combination of his football aspect and his proven track record of building relationships that swung it his way,’’ Collegians recruiting manager Charlie Holst said.
Steve Grace (University Blues): The experienced Grace has been locked in for two seasons at the 2019 VAFA premier, replacing Heath Jamieson. Grace has held coaching roles with AFL clubs Fremantle, Collingwood and the Western Bulldogs and steered VFL and NAB League clubs. He is a dual premiership coach at Ormond.
Peter Banfield (Mazenod Old Collegians): An experienced hand to guide the Nodders, with Banfield going back to coaching his own team after four years as an assistant to Williamstown’s Andy Collins in the VFL. The ex-Essendon and Brisbane left-footer has an outstanding coaching resume, having coached three VFL clubs — St Kilda, Bendigo Bombers and Casey Scorpions — as well as in VAFA Premier (Old Scotch) and Eastern Premier (North Ringwood and Blackburn).
Scott Rymer (North Brunswick): Teaming up with fellow Englishman Sam Willatt (senior assistant), Rymer will step up to the top job having previously led the Bulls’ reserves to a premiership in 2018. The pair first met as members of Great Britain’s International Cup team in 2014. Rymer took a year off in 2019 but returns to the club he was a star at for more than a decade.
WESTERN REGION FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Michael Barlow (Yarraville-Seddon): The Eagles landed a coaching coup when they secured the services of the ex-AFL midfielder. Barlow was a playing assistant at VFL club Werribee last year after a nine-year AFL career that took in 141 games with Fremantle and Gold Coast. He has also taken on the director of coaching position at Yarraville-Seddon.
Heath Scotland (Sunshine): The former Carlton and Collingwood midfielder is the latest ex-AFL player to join the WRFL’s coaching ranks after putting pen to paper with Sunshine.
Scotland’s arrival is a major coup for the Division 1 outfit, with the 268-gamer and Blues best-and-fairest winner fresh out of the AFL system after 12 months as a development coach at North Melbourne. Scotland led Darley to a flag in 2017.
Mark McGoldrick (Deer Park): Marc Bullen’s successor was always going to have big shoes to fill after steering the Lions to seven flags in a row, with the club turning to a familiar figure in McGoldrick. The former president previously coached Deer Park from 1993-1996 before returning to the top job from 1999-2000. He led the club to the ultimate prize in 1994.
David Battistella (North Footscray): The experienced mentor is back at North Footscray after steering the club to the Division 2 flag in 2010 (when he was co-coach alongside Ross Hedley). Battistella then crossed to Essendon District league outfit East Keilor, coaching flags in 2014 and 2016, while he was also an assistant coach when North Sunshine claimed the ultimate prize in 2003.
Justin Palmer (Tarneit): Rookie coach Palmer will steer Tarneit for the next two years after being appointed Mark Elso’s replacement. Palmer was interim coach at Manor Lakes for the second half of 2018 and came through the junior ranks at Hoppers Crossing.
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