Michael Ryan steps down as Bundoora coach after consecutive grand finals

Michael Ryan says family commitments and the need for a change were key factors in his decision to step down as Bundoora coach after four years.

Bundoora coach Michael Ryan. Picture: Steve Tanner

Michael Ryan says its time for family and a change.

The Bundoora coach has stepped down after four years in charge at Yulong Reserve, guiding the Bulls to back-to-back NFNL Division 1 grand finals.

“The group needs a fresh voice and different content and I’d rather close off now with the group while they’re still looking at you in the eye rather than the ladder,” Ryan said.

“We’ve got plenty of great things going on outside footy with another little boy due in six weeks.

“My wife Amy has been amazing, she’s given me unconditional support whether it be business or football and I wouldn’t be able to do it without her love and support.

Bundoora coach Michael Ryan. Picture: Josh Chadwick

Bundoora players and coaches before the grand final.

“To the playing group as well, it’s a special group and they’re going to be hard to let go of because they’ve brought me some great life memories together with the assistants David Buttifant, Neil Gloury, Chris Hunt and Robbie Maiorana coming in this year.”

Saturday’s defeat to Heidelberg was a bittersweet farewell.

Bundoora had missed finals for the first time in 18 years and just avoided relegation when Ryan took the reins at the end of 2019.

He was immediately thrust into unknown territory, trying to keep a club together through pandemic lockdowns.

The Bulls were running second when 2021 season was called of before reaching consecutive grand finals.

“It was challenging through COVID in 2020, just trying to keep the group connected,” Ryan said.

“In 2022 and 2023 to be able to play off in grand final, although not getting the result you feel a little unfulfilled, it’s been a real privilege.

“It was disappointing, we gave great effort but Heidelberg jumped us and from there we were always playing catch up.

“There were a couple of times where we were building momentum and closed the margin but they were able to counteract and kick one or two and we kicked 2.6 in the last quarter as well.

Bundoora players after losing the NFNL Division 1 grand final. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Hamish Shepheard battles Sam Gilmore in the ruck. Picture: Andy Brownbill

“We went down having a crack and that’s all you can ever ask for as a coach.”

Bundoora has recruited strongly during Ryan’s reign, bringing in the likes of Sam Lloyd, Hamish Shepheard, Ben McNeice, Shaun McKernan and David Zaharakis.

The reserves won a premiership three-peat in 2018-2022 but tumbled down the ladder this season as rivals poached talent.

While he expects some players to move on, Ryan believes Bundoora will remain a power in Division 1 for years to come.

“It’s an attractive job at Bundoora, over the past three or four weeks there’s been some strong applicants apply,” he said.

“You always get that natural migration with four or five guys that move on.

“Overall the list will stay strong and stay connected, the retention will be quite high, you’d be silly to leave Bundoora with the position we’re in, continually pushing for the ultimate goal.

“The culture that’s been created by Nipper Marshall, Luke Collins, Danny Younan, Ben Young, Hamish Shepheard and Nathan Thomas.

“What they’ve been able to create is pretty special and now guys like Jackson Davies, Jesse King, Jackson Bowne, it’s their club now too and they’re starting to take ownership.

“The 19s had a good year, Rob Bolzon did a brilliant job, and he was a victim of the seniors being so injury prone, we were forever taking players because we didn’t have the depth in the reserve.

“Off the back of the reserves being so successful in the previous three years you’re going to lose players who want a senior opportunity and that’s what happened this year.

“I have full confidence next year the club will be able to rectify that quickly, they’re already putting a lot of work into that.”

Bundoora will now begin the search for a new coach.

The Bulls are the fourth Division 1 club searching for a new coach, joining Greensborough, West Preston-Lakeside and Montmorency.

Ryan said a prospective coach couldn’t ask for a better environment.

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“The great thing about Bundoora is the strength off-field as well, Mark Maxwell the previous president and now Paul King, they back the football department in unconditionally,” he said.

“They let the coaches coach and I think that’s a big part of why we’ve had so much on-field growth.

“There’s great mentors away from the club too, Garry Ramsay, Jason Heatley and Vinny Dattoli, there’s some really good coaches in the Northern footy league who are also great people.

“I’ve enjoyed the conversations I’ve had with those guys along the way and it’s something I’ll reflect on as a younger coach to have those sort of guys as sounding boards.”