NFL 2018: Lalor appoints Gary Cutler as coach for 2019

LALOR has paid tribute to the influence of outgoing coach Dean Grainger as he prepares to hand the reins to Gary Cutler for 2019.

LALOR has paid tribute to the influence of outgoing coach Dean Grainger as he prepares to hand the reins to Gary Cutler for 2019.

Grainger returned to Sydney Crescent last year with the club at a crossroads, facing an uncertain future after an exodus of 35 senior players forced the Bloods to request relegation to Division 3.

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Lalor finished the Northern Football League season with two wins, both against Reservoir.

However, its greatest gains were achieved off-field as the club rebuilt its reputation under Grainger’s watch.

New Lalor coach Gary Cutler pictured with club officials, committee members and players.

“He inherited what would have been the biggest challenge, just about, in metro footy,” president Ben Charles said.

“To have that many players (leave) and that much instability, for him to come in and just keep on the course and keep positive.

“The players are really interested about staying there now.”

Grainger is expected to take a year off, leading the club to appoint former Heidelberg West coach Gary Cutler as his replacement.

Gary Cutler has been unveiled as Lalor’s new coach. Picture: Stuart Milligan.

Cutler is no stranger to a challenge, taking over at the Hawks in 2016 when they had won just 18 games in 10 years.

Heidelberg West triumphed in 15 matches in the past two years with Cutler at the helm, a marked improvement on their fortunes in the previous decade.

“Went through a fairly long process. Interviewed a lot of coaches,” Charles said.

“Gary fit everything that we needed at the moment, as far as a team around him, the focus on development, the understanding of the competition, league and our players as well.”

Dean Grainger has stepped down after a season in charge at Lalor.

Charles said Grainger should be “very proud of everything he has done for the club he grew up at”.

“It’s been a huge turnaround, and largely thanks to Dean. Dean has done an enormous amount to get it to this point,” he said.

The Bloods are confident of retaining most of their senior list for 2019 and are close to announcing several signings.

“We have signed a number of players…and we are signing a few more this week” Charles said.

“Completely different set of circumstances compared to 12 months ago.”

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