Local footy: Jarred Moore appointed coach of VAFA club University Blues

An experienced coach fresh out of the AFL system will be calling the shots in the VAFA in 2021.

Jarred Moore spent eight seasons on North Melbourne’s coaching panel. Picture: Michael Klein

Experienced AFL assistant Jarred Moore has linked up with reigning Victorian Amateur Football Association premier University Blues in a coaching coup.

The 34-year-old made 68 appearances for Sydney from 2005-2012 before switching to VFL outfit Werribee, where he won back-to-back best-and-fairest awards.

Moore completed eight seasons on North Melbourne’s coaching panel but lost his position after the 2020 campaign.

Jarred Moore during his playing days at Sydney. Picture: AAP Image

The former midfielder has put pen to paper on a two-year deal as the Blues chase consecutive flags in the VAFA’s top-flight after a cancelled season.

Moore’s appointment comes after Uni Blues were forced to part ways with Steve Grace, who secured a new employment opportunity as head of sport at Caulfield Grammar.

Grace had replaced premiership mentor Heath Jamieson, who exited for family reasons.

Blues president Tim Rourke said Moore was highly-recommended from “numerous people”, including Blues star and former Kangaroo Kieran Harper.

“For all his interviews and what not, he’s going to bring a tough and very uncompromising game style that, with our skill, is what we need,” Rourke said.

“There will be other things he brings on the periphery that only AFL assistant coaches would know.

“He knows a lot about the game.

“He hasn’t coached his own team but he’s done all but that.”

Uni Blues celebrate their 2019 VAFA flag. Picture: Hamish Blair

The club’s star-studded premiership side featured nine ex-AFL players – Josh Green, Cameron O’Shea, Ayce Cordy, Luke Russell, Ross Young, Tom Young, Kieran Harper, Jeremy Taylor and Piers Flanagan.

Green has since departed, but the Blues have signed former AFL pair Jay Kennedy-Harris and Sam Grimley.

They are also set to regain Flanagan, Taylor and Connor Lappin, who were going to be absent this year.

Rourke said more signings would be announced over pre-season, giving the new coach an enviable squad to work with.

While the Blues claimed their first top grade flag in 15 years last season, Rourke made it clear they were far from satisfied.

“I think he (Moore) likes the opportunity to come to a club where it’s not a school-based club,” he said.

“It’s a bit more community, country and in a way it’s a much easier entry to coaching your own team.

“He liked the idea of the team we had. The only way to become a good coach is to win games, and it’s a lot easier with a good list.

“The list we’re assembling, I’d suggest if don’t win (the premiership), it’s going to be a good side that does.

“We’ll have a better side than when we played (in 2019).”