Michael Ryan appointed as Bundoora’s new coach for 2020

Bundoora has welcomed back Michael Ryan as its new coach, with the premiership player set to develop the club’s young list rather than splash the cash after the club missed finals for the first time since 2000.

Michael Ryan has been appointed Bundoora coach. Picture: Kylie Else

Newly appointed Bundoora coach Michael Ryan has been given a mandate to rebuild the club.

Ryan — a former coach of Hurstbridge and Lower Plenty — takes the coaching reins at Yulong Reserve from Andrew Sturgess after he won the Coburg VFL job.

The Bulls missed the NFL Division 1 finals for the first time since 2000 this season and Ryan said the club will look to develop its under-19s rather than splash the cash in the transfer market this off-season for a quick fix.

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“I’m very much looking forward to it, it’s quite a privilege to be appointed coach at Bundoora,” he said.

“To be honest, we’re not going to actively (recruit), the great thing about the salary cap and player points (is) you can’t just go out and chase players for the sake of it.

“I’m going to put a lot of time into the list we’ve got and try to develop them that way, put a big emphasis on the under-19 kids that are on the list currently.

Michael Ryan returns to Bundoora as the Bulls coach for 2020. Picture: Kylie Else

“I actually think, while things didn’t read pretty in terms of the win-loss ratio, there’s quite a few good kids coming up through the under-19s.”

Ryan is a premiership player with the Bulls from 2013 and also won a Division 2 flag with the Bears in 2011.

After a season away from coaching in 2018, Ryan returned as a playing assistant coach at VAFA Premier C club Old Ivanhoe Grammarians, but won’t pull on the boots for the Bulls.

Bundoora have already secured the services of Kain Proctor and Jai Burns for 2020, the pair returning to the club after a season with Fitzroy Stars.

Ryan said a forward to replace retiring legend Gary Moorcroft was also a high priority.

Gary Moorcroft won’t be at Bundoora in 2020. Picture: Valeriu Campan

“It’s fantastic, obviously (Kain and Jai) were involved at the club in 2018, they went back to Fitzroy this year and both had strong seasons,” he said.

“We’re fortunate they’re going to come back and play with us in 2020, both quality footballers and great people as well.

“Replacing Gary Moorcroft isn’t going to be an easy feat.

“There’s a couple of kids in the under-19s who we think show a bit of upside and can get a good return out of, and at the same time, we’ll be looking to target a forward to bring into the club.”

Ryan is Bundoora’s third coach in as many years after both Ricky Dyson and Sturgess were lured to VFL coaching roles.

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