Simon Amore calls time after six years at Panton Hill

After six years at the helm, Panton Hill coach Simon Amore is calling time. He reflects on the good times and people he’s led at Cracknell Reserve.

Panton Hill coach Simon Amore. Picture: Josh Chadwick

It took Simon Amore 18 months to coach his first game at Panton Hill thanks to COVID.

But now six years down the track, one of the Redbacks’ longest-tenured leaders has decided to step down.

Having taken over after the club’s 2019 NFNL Division 3 premiership, Amore established it in Division 2, while also helping integrate and grow under-19s and women’s football in recent years.

He will coach out the season, hoping to lead Panton Hill to its first finals campaign at the level since 2004.

With the club looking ahead to 2026, Amore decided the time was right to let someone else take the reins.

Panton Hill coach Simon Amore (left) discusses plans with his coaches. Picture: Andy Brownbill

“The club was keen to get their ducks in a row for next season and from my point of view I alluded to the fact it would probably be my last season,” Amore said.

“It’s a long time for the playing group to hear the one voice but I’ve really enjoyed my time and I’ve been fortunate to stay as long as I have.

“I felt it was time for myself and the club to get some new energy through, a new voice, and see if someone else can take them into the next bracket.”

Panton Hill has finished eighth in each of Amore’s four complete seasons in charge and currently sits seventh.

It was in the finals hunt until the finals weeks last year and remains in the mix for a top-five finish this season, two games back of fifth-placed Northcote Park.

Redbacks co-captain Sam Parks has earnt Team of the Year selection every season under Amore, and been a regular league best-and-fairest vote-winner, while Ollie Parks was also recognised in 2024.

Amore felt he was leaving the club in a stronger position than when he took over.

“That was the first objective, for the club to be viewed externally as a legitimate Division 2 side, not yo-yo up and down,” he said.

“There’s a few different ways you can define success and with the infrastructure and resources we have in place, it’s difficult and minimal in comparison to some clubs, so to hold our own and push for finals is something I’m proud of.

“Especially the last two years we’ve been in positions where finals was on the agenda and, while we weren’t able to get the job done, I think culturally it’s going in the right direction.

“Our 19s are having a fantastic year, there’s an opportunity to play finals there, and to see what the women’s program have been able to do in their short lifespan – winning a premiership in their first year.

“It’s pleasing to think, is the club in a better position? and I firmly believe it is.”

Asked to reflect on his tenure, Amore said there were some special team highlights.

However, it was the off-field relationships that would stay with him.

“We had a run in 2023 where we won four in a row and a draw and had some big wins over Diamond Creek a couple of times, including this year, and St Mary’s,” he said.

“More than anything it’s the friendships you develop, I’m been able to develop relationships that I’ll hold dear for a long time.

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“My coaching group has been amazing, Deanna Berry has been a rock for me, a fantastic person and friend and wonderful resource.

“People like Scott Conte, Tim Duckworth, the Parks brothers – all three of them – have been warriors on the field so I’m really enjoyed coaching them and develop friendships and getting Riley Livingstone from Fitzroy off a cold-call essentially and coaching him has been really enjoyable.

“It can be isolating sometimes but if you have good people around you it makes it a lot easier and I’m been fortunate to do that.”

Panton Hill will look to stay in the Division 2 finals hunt when it travels to Watsonia on Saturday.