NFL 2018: Watsonia coach Jarrad Carey weighing up future with Division 2 club

WATSONIA coach Jarrad Carey is no guarantee to continue in the post after a testing first season at the helm of the Northern Football League Division 2 club.

WATSONIA coach Jarrad Carey is no guarantee to continue in the post after a testing first season at the helm of the Northern Football League Division 2 club.

The Saints claimed their only win of the campaign in the last round, finishing with a 1-17 record.

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Carey said he was “50-50” about returning to A.K Lines Reserve as coach in 2019.

“I want to make sure I am the right person to lead the club again, which I think I am,” he said.

“It’s just a matter of whether it’s the right fit for everyone involved.”

Despite its struggles this year, Watsonia will retain its place in the NFL second tier as a result of Lalor’s withdrawal earlier this year.

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Carey said he was excited by the potential of the Saints’ young players, but conceded they lacked enough experience to compete against the premiership contenders.

“Ideally, the club needs to try and get in a couple of experienced senior footballers who are really hitting their prime and can bring a bit of on-field leadership to the group,” he said.

“As great as our leadership group is, and Matty Crompton is an outstanding captain, we just lack a little bit of on-field leadership at times.

Jarrad Carey has been considering his future as Watsonia coach. Picture: Hamish Blair

“It’s hurt us at times when other sides have got a bit of momentum rolling.”

The Saints got within 14 points of Diamond Creek in Round 7 and twice pushed top-two side Lower Plenty.

But Carey said his team was unable to sustain the pressure its game plan was built on for long enough to challenge the division’s leading sides.

“We rely on our pressure and our effort and you have to expend a lot of energy to keep that manic pressure and that elite effort up for so long,” he said.

Carey said player retention this off-season would be pivotal to Watsonia’s hopes of climbing the ladder.

“It’s really important we do have that consistency and it’s just a matter of adding a little bit of polish to a group that is young, enthusiastic and has quite a bit of potential,” he said.

The Saints have appointed Brett Potter as their director of football for 2019.

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