Former Sydney VFL coach Damian Truslove excited by return to local footy with Banyule

After two years at Sydney Swans, Damian Truslove is back in the Northern league after being appointed Banyule coach. He explains the move and what excites him about the Bears.

Banyule's new coach Damian Truslove.

Securing a player straight out of the AFL is huge for a local footy club.

But securing a coach straight out of the AFL can be club-changing.

Sydney Swans VFL head coach and AFL development coach Damian Truslove hopes to be just that at Banyule.

Truslove comes with elite coaching experience having worked with the Swans and GWS Giants at VFL and AFL level, as well as Coates League club Bendigo Pioneers, in recent years.

He’s no stranger to the Northern league having grown up in Whittlesea and played for the Eagles, while his coaching journey includes stops at Coburg, Richmond and Carlton.

He takes the reins from Paul Harris and Ricky Dyson, who stood down after taking the Bears to sixth this NFNL Division 1 season.

Now getting to coach his own club, Truslove is excited by the challenge at Beverley Road Oval.

“I’ve watched the club from afar, I grew up in Whittlesea so I know the competition well and always kept an eye on it,” Truslove said.

“I was always going to get back to community level at some point after a good stint at AFL level and when I saw this job pop up, I spent a few weeks chatting to Ash Brown the president, and I’m excited to be back.

“I was weighing up what I wanted to do with my coaching and I’m excited to coach my own club.

“I’ve coached VFL teams that are aligned with AFL clubs, the Giants and Swans, but to actually oversee the whole club – with the committee – and run the football program is something I want to do.”

Truslove spent the past two seasons as VFL coach at Sydney, taking the Swans from four wins in 2023 to eight wins this year.

Family brought him back to Melbourne.

Jack Langford celebrates a goal for Banyule. Picture: Andy Brownbill

“I always hoped I could stay in the system for seven to 10 years and I’ve had eight and loved it,” he said.

“My main priority in coming back to Melbourne was my family, my daughter works at the Austin, so she’s in the area, and my parents are down in Portarlington.”

Banyule suffered a heartbreaking end to its season.

A final round loss to North Heidelberg saw it fall out of the top-five on percentage and miss finals.

However, it has now cemented itself in Division 1 after winning the Division 2 premiership and promotion in 2022.

Co-captain Kye Yodgee’s career-best season was recognised with second place in the Rosbrook Medal, third place in Coaches’ MVP voting and Team of the Year honours.

Jack Langford and Daniel Owen topped the club’s goalkicking with 25 majors apiece.

Truslove revealed the players are already back in training and he was confident the club was set up for long-term success.

“It’s important to acknowledge the previous coaches have done a fantastic job setting up the list and leaving the club in a really good position,” he said.

“To go from five wins in 2023 to 10 wins this year, they’re progressing really well.

“That’s a big one for me, going to a club that isn’t about buying a premiership but developing players and going on a journey, improving every year.

“Chatting with Kye (Yodgee) and Kurt (Aylett), they’re pretty driven and the boys are already training.

“I’m meeting the players tonight (Monday) and they’ve got a training session and ready to go, so that’s good for me when you’ve got a strong leadership group to drive the standards and a young group that want to get better.”

Banyule had one of the strongest off-seasons in the competition last summer, bringing in the likes of Sam McLarty, Tim Martin, Noah Wheeler, Lewin Davis and Owen.

The club also has a strong under-19s cohort coming through.

Banyule’s top under-19s team competed in Division 1, while the Bears’ second team won the Division 3 Under-19 premiership.

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The Bears will look to improve again this off-season with Truslove ready to dig into his deep list of connections if needed.

“I’ve got some connections through my coaching and there’s some boys that have been on AFL lists that might be a chance,” he said.

“It’s all very new, I’m still getting over the disappointment with the Swans, but tonight will be the first time we’ve looked at the list – who have we got, who have we lost, what do we need – and from there I’ll get on the phone.

“In saying that there’s some good kids coming through the under-19s as well, so we want to give them an opportunity.”