MPNFL: Chelsea appoints David Willett and chases recruits

The Seagulls’ new coach has been working the phones feverishly in pursuit of recruits. Could an ex-AFL Demon be in his sights?

If you don’t ask, you don’t get.

It’s a phrase new Chelsea coach David Willett is putting into practice as he strives to mould the Seagulls into a finals contender next year.

He and Seagulls football operations manager James Sivijs have been working the phones feverishly in pursuit of recruits.

“I reckon we’ve already contacted 30-plus potential recruits,” Willett said on Monday.

“I know what we want and what we need and we’ll just shape and move the footy a little differently to what we have.”

David Willett as playing-coach at Mt Eliza.

Willett, who was playing-coach at Mt Eliza in 2009-10, has been Chelsea’s assistant coach in recent seasons.

He says a key forward was a top recruiting priority after the departure of Curtis Bywater, the Seagulls’ leading goal kicker of 2018 and ‘19 who signed with Sorrento.

And Willett says a midfield “bull” was also high on the Seagulls’ shopping list.

“With Curtis gone we will probably chase another key forward,” he said.

“I think our mids are okay, we will probably introduce another bull inside mid, but other than that the list is okay and then we will try and get some more games into some of these younger kids.”

There’s speculation Chelsea could be in the running to sign former Sorrento playing-coach and Melbourne midfielder Luke Tapscott, who lives locally.

“He actually lives around the corner,” Willett said.

“Who knows what happens there.”

Dave Willett as a Redleg.

And playing for Rye.

Willett, 41, hails from Corowa on the banks of the Murray River.

He played in Corowa Rutherglen’s 2000 premiership (alongside former Carlton coach David Teague) before making North Melbourne’s supp list.

Willett played for Glenelg in the SANFL for two years.

At 23, he was a playing-assistant coach at Wodonga Raiders.

Willett married Paul Hopgood’s sister and ended up at Mt Eliza, where he played nearly 200 games, attained life membership and was a member of the Redlegs’ team of the half century.

Chelsea's David Willett outpoints his Seaford opponent to mark. Picture: David Trend.

Willett also played at Rye in 2011 before another stint at Mt Eliza and then to Chelsea.

“I’ve been around a bit, know what footy’s about,” he said.

“The burning desire to be a non-playing coach was always there. It was just a matter of timing for me.

“I’m looking forward the challenge of trying to play finals.”

Chelsea president Michael Davis said the Seagulls spoke to “in excess of 20” coaching candidates and interviewed seven before appointing Willett.

“We had a very thorough process,” he said.

“He’s got a lot to offer, he’s very thorough in his local football knowledge.

“What he brings is his football knowledge, his football smarts if you like. They are second to none from what I’ve seen. He knows the local environment very well.”