Local footy: Could Anthony Rock return to EDFL club Greenvale?
Greenvale president Bruce Kent gives an update on the EDFL club’s coaching search and whether a club favourite who was the victim of the AFL’s soft-cap cuts could be a candidate.
Local Footy
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Greenvale’s coaching vacancy has attracted no shortage of interest.
But could Anthony Rock return to the club he led to back-to-back premierships in 2012 and 2013?
The Jets, one of the powerhouse clubs of the Essendon District Football League, have not claimed a flag since and finished runner-up to Premier Division rival Aberfeldie in 2015 and 2017.
Following a three-year stint with Greenvale, Rock also led St Bernard’s to a flag in the top flight of the VAFA in 2015 before landing a developing coaching role at Fremantle and later being promoted to assistant coach.
The former North Melbourne and Hawthorn midfielder was let go by the Dockers on Sunday, a victim of the soft-cap cuts brought on by the coronavirus crisis.
The 49-year-old came to an agreement to depart the AFL club immediately.
The Dockers said Rock had been “a highly regarded and important member of our coaching team since joining Fremantle in 2016”.
Rock also worked with Melbourne, St Kilda and North Melbourne before his run of success at suburban level.
Greenvale president Bruce Kent said on Monday the club planned to make contact with Rock.
“Anthony’s extremely highly regarded at Greenvale,” Kent said.
“I’m not sure what his intentions are, but, yes, I would have thought Anthony would be welcome at Greenvale and just about every other footy club around the area.
“There will presumably be some other senior coaching people this week who will be told they don’t have a future in the AFL, or perhaps even the VFL.”
Dual premiership captain James Rohan and fellow flag winners Rowan Nayna and Dean Smith returned to the club before the 2020 season was canned.
Kent said the Jets were yet to “formally open applications” for Paul Chapman’s replacement.
Greenvale has a history of appointing high-profile coaches, with ex-AFL players Steve MacPherson, Adam McPhee and Shannon Grant also holding the top job in recent years.
“Not surprisingly it’s a sought-after position and a number of people have already expressed interest,” Kent said.
“We’d be anticipating that we’ll be making a decision sometime in September.”
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