NAB League: Wayne Cripps appointed new coach of Sandringham Dragons

A stalwart of East Burwood has taken over the reins at a region described as a ‘hot spot’ for football talent.

Wayne Cripps calling the shots at East Burwood.

Oakleigh Chargers assistant coach Wayne Cripps is the new head coach of the Sandringham Dragons.

A stalwart of East Burwood in the Eastern league, Cripps has replaced Jackson Kornberg, who accepted the VFL coaching position at Gold Coast Suns.

Cripps has been with the Chargers since 2018, and looked after the midfield this year.

He joined the Oakleigh club after stepping down as senior coach of East Burwood.

Cripps played 298 senior games for the Rams, debuting in 2004, when it was a power in the top division.

By the time he took on the senior coaching position in 2015 they were in Division 3.

“Proud I was able to stick around through the tough times, stayed loyal and dedicated myself to the club,” he told Leader at the time.

Wayne Cripps joined Oakleigh Chargers in 2018.

“There were opportunities to go elsewhere over the years but it has always been my home, I love the place and I wish nothing but the best for them.

“I’ve been lucky enough to meet a lot of great people up there and people who are my lifelong friends and best friends in life.”

When Cripps finished up at the end of 2017 the Rams heaped praise on his contribution to the club.

“Wayne has been a club stalwart and closing in on 300 games is an amazing achievement,’’ it said.

“The committee, club members and supporters would like to thank him for taking on the coaching reins in an era that without doubt has been the hardest few years in our long history.

Wayne took on the role knowing playing budgets would be slashed as the club looked to restructure and gets itself into a stronger financial position. While we have all been disappointed in on-field results we know he has been positive and kept the playing group up in tough times.’’

Cripps joins talent identification manager Mark Wheeler at a region that AFL draft guru Kevin Sheehan has referred to as a “hot spot’’ for talent.

The Dragons will have a strong hand at next week’s national draft, with Finn Callaghan, Josh Sinn, Campbell Chesser, Blake Howes, Marcus Windhager and Michito Owen top 30 fancies.

The AFL said Cripps had developed a reputation of being a “strong educator of the fundamentals of the game, which is a core component of our NAB League programs’’.

It said he was recognised as a leading assistant in the league.

Cripps will start at the Dragons on Friday.