Michael Still and Brent Macaffer discuss coaching futures at Eltham but focused on finals campaign first

Eltham caretaker coaches Michael Still and Brent Macaffer have coaching aspirations and have enjoyed their time leading the club but are focused first on an elimination final date with Thomastown.

Brent Macaffer in action for Eltham. Picture: Eltham Football Club Facebook

Eltham’s interim coaching tandem of Michael Still and Brent Macaffer have talked openly of their enjoyment leading the Panthers.

However, the pair are adamant the club’s finals campaign is front and centre of their minds rather than their coaching futures.

The Panthers will take on Thomastown in the NFL Division 2 elimination final on Sunday at Whittlesea Showgrounds.

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Macaffer and Still took over the coaching reins when Paul King departed Eltham Central Park earlier this month.

Collingwood premiership player Macaffer said King’s exit shock to the playing group but was proud of the club’s response against St Mary’s.

“It was an interesting week, it all happened pretty quickly, things were in a little bit of disarray,” he said.

Michael Still in action for Eltham.

Brent Macaffer in action for Eltham. Picture: Eltham Football Club Facebook

“Myself and Stilly took the reins and had no choice but to get on with it because we had a game four days later and a game we had to win to make finals.

“It was really pleasing the way the whole football club came together and got the job done and what was — in my two years at the club — our best performance on the football field.”

Eltham smashed the Burra by 80 points before a bye in Round 17 and warmed up for finals with a comfortable 43-point triumph over Epping.

Thomastown awaits in the sudden-death final but the Panthers will go in confident after 47 and 44-point wins over the Bears this year.

Still has previous coaching experience during his time at SANFL club West Adelaide when he mentored the club’s under-14s and 15s.

The former Essendon forward coached current Bomber Aaron Francis and had enjoyed this time back behind the magnets.

“We’ve just been putting all of our time and effort in the boys and giving them the best opportunity to play well in the finals,” he said.

“I haven’t put too much thought into it but I can say I’ve really enjoyed it, I’ve really enjoyed coaching.

“The group is just so coachable, things have been really positive the last couple of weeks. It’s been a nice place to be around.”

Macaffer echoed those thoughts and was content to wait until after the season to make a decision.

“Doing it with Stilly has been really enjoyable but we’ll get to the end of the year and see what it looks like,” he said.

“It’s something I have a little bit of interest in but whether I’m ready or not we’ll wait and see and, obviously, we’ve got to see what the club wants to do.”

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