Local footy: Who will be coaching your EDFL club in 2021
With the season cancelled amid the coronavirus crisis, we take a look at the state of play in the Essendon District Football League’s senior coaching ranks.
Local Footy
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Footy. Followed categories will be added to My News.
With the season canned amid the coronavirus crisis, Essendon District Football League clubs have turned their attention to next year.
But who will be leading your club in 2021?
We’ve hit the phones to see where the coaches are placed for next season.
PREMIER DIVISION
Keilor: Almost 12 months ago to the day, master coach Mick McGuane put pen to paper on a two-year contract extension, taking him through until the end of the 2021 season. The EDFL’s longest-serving coach has led the Blues to three flags since taking charge in 2008.
Aberfeldie: The perennial contender has opened discussions with three-time premiership coach Adam Potter, but a decision has not been reached. Potter has taken over as a principal at Williamstown High School and president Brett Williamson said he was “weighing up his options there, but it’s all relatively positive at this stage that he will continue on”. Assistant coach and Reynolds medallist Luke Blackwell looms as a potential replacement if Potter departs after five seasons at the helm.
Strathmore: The Mores have locked away the energetic Matthew Horne, who led the club to the preliminary final in his first year in charge in 2019. Strathmore has suffered one-point defeats on the penultimate weekend of the past two campaigns and boast a quality batch of young players and seasoned stars.
Pascoe Vale: Digby Morrell has signed on for next season after leading the Panthers to a finals berth in 2019. The former AFL player is a proven performer in the coach’s box, steering Strathmore and West Coburg to flags.
Greenvale: The Jets are on the hunt for a new coach after AFL champion Paul Chapman quit the top job last month, owing to personal commitments. Greenvale has a history of appointing high-profile coaches, with ex-AFL players Steve MacPherson, Anthony Rock, Adam McPhee and Shannon Grant steering the club this century.
Maribyrnong Park: It remains uncertain who will be calling the shots at the Lions next year, with Dean Laidley’s future up in the air after he was charged with stalking and other offences after his arrest in May. Laidley has completed one season at the helm.
Essendon Doutta Stars: Kyle Hardingham said the Stars’ next coach would have a “dream job” after stepping down earlier this month. The former AFL high-flyer is moving on because of family reasons and set to return to Western Australia at the end of this year.
Glenroy: Ross Terranova has re-signed for 2021, declaring the Roys offered a “total package” to potential new players as clubs prepare for salary cap cuts. Terranova took over in 2016 and led Glenroy to the 2017 Division 1 flag.
Avondale Heights: The club remains in discussions with Patrick Byrne, who was an assistant coach in 2019 before replacing Donald McDonald.
Craigieburn: It is understood the club has started discussions with former Carlton captain Lance Whitnall, who steered the Eagles to the 2019 Division 1 premiership. Craigieburn is yet to announce an agreement for next season.
DIVISION 1
East Keilor: Pat Christofi has re-committed for next season after leading the Cougars to the decider in his first year in 2019. The ambitious club has made a flying start to its recruiting campaign, securing former VFL player Fabian Brancatisano and reigning Hillside best and fairest Lockie Rayner. Unless plenty changes, East Keilor will start 2021 as a red-hot flag favourite.
Airport West: Jimmy House is locked in for next season after taking on the top job last October. The Eagles were relegated from Premier Division at the end of the 2019 campaign.
Tullamarine: David Connell is contracted for next year and has extended his contract by another year, taking him through until the end of 2022. Under Connell, the Demons went down to Airport West in the 2018 Division 1 grand final and qualified for the preliminary final last season.
Westmeadows: Mo Kaakour put pen to paper on a three-year contract last July, putting him in the top job until the end of the 2022 season. President Grant Smith said the Tigers had also not lost any senior players of note.
West Coburg: Four-time Strathmore premiership player Dale May has put pen to paper with the Burgers for 2021 after the season was canned. West Coburg finished sixth on the Division 1 ladder with an 8-8 record in May’s first season.
Hillside: Charlie Denaro is yet to lead the Sharks in an official match after he replaced Steve Burns in the top job following three seasons as an assistant. Denaro, who led Moonee Valley to back-to-back grand final appearances in Division 2 2012 and ’13, has signed on for next season.
Taylors Lakes: Charles Cuzzupi has signed on for the next two seasons. The Lions enjoyed a fruitful off-season, landing Patrick Rose and Scott Harding before the campaign was cancelled.
Roxburgh Park: Premiership coach Micheal Farrelly signed a two-year contract last year, taking him through until the end of the 2021 season. He has been calling the shots since the start of 2018.
Sunbury Kangaroos: Anthony Leydin, who led the club to the Division 2 flag in 2019 after it switched from the RDFL, has stepped down from the role because of work commitments.
DIVISION 2
Moonee Valley: Shanon Carroll will again be in charge next season after the Fog advanced to the grand final last year. Moonee Valley also made finals in Carroll’s first season at the helm and have built a quality list as it eyes a spot in Division 1.
Oak Park: Todd Clark is yet to sign on for next season but he said discussions with the club will be held “when convenient”. Clark is yet to coach the Kangaroos in a match in his second stint in the job. He led them to the Division 1 premiership in 2009.
Burnside Heights: Aidan Stott will be calling the shots next season after signing on until the end of 2021 last year. Stott has started planning for next season after the Bears made it to the preliminary final in their maiden finals campaign at senior level.
Coburg Districts: EX-VFL player Tom Gleeson will be in charge in 2021 after not getting the opportunity to lead the club this year.
East Sunbury: Experienced mentor Glenn Hopkins has re-signed for next year. He took over midway through the 2018 season and took the Thunder to the decider before it missed finals last season.
Northern Saints: President Joe Antonetti reported coach Peter Lohner agreed to terms on Wednesday. Lohner replaced Brett Kennerley after the 2019 season.
Hadfield: Brett Pitts will be on board again next year. The Hawks were tipped to climb the ladder in 2020 and will be looking at a finals berth in 2021.
Keilor Park: Coach Paul Guicas has been reappointed for next season. The Devils enjoyed a strong off-season after spending the 2018 season in recess.
Jacana: Coach Glenn McIntyre said the Jaguars were “still finalising arrangements for next year.” The club is rebuilding after withdrawing from the senior ranks early in 2019.
MORE LEADER LOCAL FOOTY NEWS
EX-VFL PLAYER SIGNS ON AT EAST KEILOR
HOW CORONAVIRUS HAS REALLY IMPACTED LOCAL FOOTY CLUBS
GOALS GALORE: THE SPEARHEADS WHO LIT UP THE VFA
WHY CANCELLED SEASON WON’T STOP HADFIELD’S RISE
FORMER AFL HIGH-FLYER’S TOUGH COACHING CALL