NFL: New Reservoir coach David Nelson confident club’s rebuild is on right track

NEW Reservoir coach David Nelson says the club is “definitely not too far off” as he prepares to take charge for the third year of its rebuild.

Lachlan Shaw of Reservoir runs the ball out of the back line during the NFL football match between Lalor and Reservoir played at Lalor Reserve on Saturday 7th July, 2018.

NEW Reservoir coach David Nelson says the club is “definitely not too far off” as he prepares to take charge for the third year of its rebuild.

While the Mustangs’ senior team finished without a win at the bottom of the Division 3 ladder, their reserves qualified for finals under Nelson’s watch.

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A self-proclaimed ‘journeyman’ in his playing days, Nelson has held coaching roles at North Heidelberg, Preston RSL, Reservoir and Macedon.

He has been outgoing Reservoir mentor Aaron Collins’ right-hand man for the past two years and coached the club’s reserves side.

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“We have been pretty positive in some of the games we have played,” Nelson said.

“I think in the first half against St Mary’s we were really positive, then even against Mernda as well.

“We took it up to them and probably only lost due to a couple of fundamental mistakes.”

David Nelson will step up to be Reservoir’s senior coach next year.

Nelson said the club’s recruiting would be vital as it seeks to climb the Northern Football League table in 2019.

But he added natural development within Reservoir’s existing playing list would also serve them well.

“Recruit really well and then with the development of some of the guys who are coming through, definitely, we’ll be making that climb,” he said.

Nelson said being involved in several clubs as a player and coach had given him valuable experience.

He said he hoped his pre-existing relationships with the club’s players and officials would give him an edge in the top job.

“We’re wanting to build on that,” Nelson said.

“With the recruiting and re-signing of a lot of these guys, some of our guys have had offers from other clubs.

“We want to try and retain those. I’m sure we will be moving forward, there’s no doubt about that.”

Collins has been at the helm at Crispe Park in the past two seasons, steering the club’s return after a season in recess in 2016.

Nelson said Reservoir was indebted to Collins for his dedication, having attracted more than 100 players to the club.

The Mustangs claimed the Division 3 premiership in 2015 but a player exodus forced them to withdraw from Division 2 the following season.

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