Saade Ghazi departs Greensborough after two seasons in charge

Departing Greensborough coach Saade Ghazi believes the club’s playing list is primed for a new coach to come in and develop the club’s next premiership.

Greensborough coach Saade Ghazi. Picture: George Sal

Departing Greensborough coach Saade Ghazi believes the club’s list is primed for a future NFNL Division 1 premiership tilt.

The widely-respected mentor is handing over the magnet board after two seasons in charge at War Memorial Oval.

Ghazi has overseen a transition period at the Borough and he is confident the backbone of the club’s next flag is just waiting for a new coach to take it to the next level.

“I think they need someone for the next two or three years and I’m done,” he said.

“I’ve loved my two seasons at Greensborough, it’s been fantastic.

Greensborough coach Saade Ghazi. Picture: Valeriu Campan

“There’s been a lot of change but we’ve brought in a lot new kids and players through and the club will be in a good position to challenge in the next three or four years I reckon.

“We had some great wins this season but some disappointing loses.

“We beat North Heidelberg, Bundy and Mont but had some loses to teams we thought we could beat and with a young group that’s what you get, a bit of inconsistency.”

Greensborough narrowly missed out on the top-five, finishing two points behind Hurstbridge.

The Borough claimed impressive wins over Montmorency in Round 2, Bundoora in Round 6 and North Heidelberg in Round 16 but also suffered losses to West Preston-Lakeside in Round 3, Macleod in Round 10 and Banyule in Round 14.

A loss to Hurstbridge in Round 17 at War Memorial Reserve all but ended the club’s final hopes.

However, Ghazi sees plenty of green shoots.

Young guns Angus Seivers, Ethan Luke, Harrison Andronaco and Jordan Smith were three of five players to feature in all 18 games.

Seivers continues to develop into one of the competition’s top defenders, while skipper Jack Johnston and Ben Pannam are still performing at a high level.

“We played another 10 under-19 players this year and that’s without Angus Seivers and Ben Ham,” Ghazi said.

“Angus has become a premier defender in the competition and should make the Team of the Year this season and could have still played under-19s.

“It was disappointing to lose Jackson Hasler to an ACL in Round 1 but he played all last year and is going to be a great player for the club.

“Will McFawn played another eight or so games, we made sure we didn’t over-qualify him, is going to be a good player and Brodie Glenn played some outstanding season games and is qualified for under-19s.

“Harrison Andronaco is still only 21-22, Joel Trudgeon played a few more games than we thought, Charlie Bowes from Port played a few games and Zac Hart was outstanding.

“Then there’s the older guys, Jack Johnston was outstanding and will make the Team of the Year, so I think there’s a good balance of young and old.”

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While he won’t be coaching in 2024, Ghazi says reports of his retirement are wide of the mark.

He’ll spend next season watching his beloved Western Bulldogs more closely as well as getting back to watch his old clubs such as Greensborough and Williamstown.

“You always leave the door ajar, I’m definitely not coaching in 2024 that’s for sure, but you never know what can happen in 2025,” he said.

Greensborough joins the likes of West Preston-Lakeside, Thomastown and Northcote Park looking for new coaches.