Nathan Phillips calls time on tenure as Kilmore coach

Respected Kilmore coach Nathan Phillips will hand over the reins after six-and-a-half years as the Blues execute a succession plan.

Kilmore will have a new coach in 2023. Picture: KFC Facebook

Kilmore’s longest tenured coach Nathan Phillips will hand over the reins for 2023.

The respected Blues mentor called time before the NFL Division 3 elimination final loss to Old Eltham Collegians on Sunday with assistant coach Paul Derrick to take over.

Phillips took over at Clancy Reserve mid-way through the club’s inaugural season in the Northern Football League in 2016.

He has overseen a steady rise, from second last in 2016 to finals for the first time in 2019 and three straight top-four finishes.

Kilmore is yet to taste finals success since crossing from the Riddell District league but Phillips is confident that is not far away.

“I’ve been doing this for six-and-a-half years now and I’ve put my family and work second to footy,” he said.

“My kids are getting to an age where they’re playing a lot of sport and the majority of that is on Saturday so I want to be able to be there and support them.

“It’s a good time to get a new voice in there as well.

“I’m pretty proud of what I’ve been able to do there but now we’ve had two finals appearances without a win, maybe Desi can come in and take it to the next level.”

Phillips was proud of the club’s improvement.

“It’s not just me, there’s a lot of people that contribute – players and committee and support staff – but I’m pretty chuffed to have been there this long,” he said.

“On the honour board I think the longest serving coach, and they date back to the 1960s, was three years so to not get sacked and go out on my terms I’ve done alright.”

Derrick will take the coaching reins after serving as under-19s coach and seniors assistant coach since 2020.

He comes with a wealth of experience having coached Essendon District club Roxburgh Park for three seasons and NFL Division 3 rival Mernda for two years.

He will be assisted by Craig Micallef, while former Lalor coach Gary Cutler will remain in charge of the reserves.

Phillips said Derrick had been head-hunted after being let go by Mernda.

“He didn’t know at the time but when he was relieved of his duties at Mernda we saw an opportunity to get him in and potentially take over from me,” he said.

“He came to the club with no aspirations to take the senior role and was a little bit reluctant when we approached him.

“We get along like a house on fire and when we explained it was what we wanted as a club he was happy to put his hand up.”

Phillips will remain involved at Kilmore in a recruiting and administration role, supporting Derrick.

After consecutive elimination final losses, Kilmore will now look to recruit to take the next step to premiership contention.

The club is expected to lose several talented young players to higher division clubs but is confident is can still attract talented footballers.

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“You’re always going to get a few guys that move on, that’s part of footy,” Phillips said.

“We’ve been in Div 3 for six or seven years now so I expect a couple might take offers to play at a higher level while they’re still young.

“If they do, I’m sure the club – and I’m sure Desi will back me up – would send them away with open arms and hope when they’ve scratched that itch come back to Kilmore.

“We’ll look to recruit pretty hard as well to make sure we’ll finish better and at least win a final.”