MPNFL club Mt Eliza appoints Nick Claringbold as coach

NICK Claringbold laughs at the suggestion he’s been given the keys to the Ferrari after being appointed coach of Mt Eliza.

NICK Claringbold laughs at the suggestion he’s been given the keys to the Ferrari after being appointed coach of Mt Eliza.

“I wouldn’t go that far,” he said.

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“But I’ve been given a really exciting opportunity in terms of working with a young group and trying to help and develop them and I’d like to think that’s one of my skills as a coach.’’

Mt Eliza was flooded with 18 applications for its coaching job, widely regarded as one of the hottest in local footy.

Mt Eliza president Mick Dunne (left) welcomes new coach Nick Claringbold.

The Redlegs have enviable depth, courtesy of a vibrant junior program. Their reserves have won five flags in a row and their under-19s also won the premiership last month.

Claringbold, 41, a Mt Eliza premiership player in 1998 and former coach of Sorrento and Peninsula Old Boys, got the nod last Friday.

“We think we’ve found the right guy to keep the club moving in the same direction that we have in the past few years,’’ Mt Eliza president Mick Dunne said.

“The real positive was we wanted someone who knew a bit about our club and he’s been part of our club for a while now. Even though he’s coached elsewhere he’s always kept in touch. We are pretty happy with the appointment.’’

Claringbold played his junior football at the Redlegs and was a star goal kicker in “80-odd’’ senior games.

He went on to play with Peninsula in the VAFA and later coached the Pirates (2014-17), as well as Sorrento (2012-13).

He says his Mt Eliza appointment heralds a return home.

“It’s good to be back at a club I have a strong affinity for, having played all my junior footy there and then even having the joy of celebrating a 20-year premiership reunion this year,’’ he said.

“It’s great, I’m really excited.’’

Claringbold said he jumped at the chance to coach the Redlegs.

“When I stopped (coaching last year) I probably thought I was done but when this opportunity came up it was probably too good to pass up,” he said.

Claringbold takes over from Troy Shannon, who has moved to WA.