Watsonia appoints a new coach for Northern Division 2 2025 season

Having secured its place in NFNL Division 2 for 2025, Watsonia has appointed a new coach with extensive experience in the Northern and Eastern leagues.

Anthony McGregor during his time at Templestowe. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Watsonia has it’s coach for 2025.

Former Fitzroy AFL midfielder Anthony McGregor will take the reins at Binnak Park for next NFNL Division 2 season.

He brings a wealth of experience to the club having coached in the Northern league at Reservoir and led Eastern clubs Warrandyte and Templestowe.

He’s also been assistant at Bundoora, South Morang and VFL outfit Northern Bullants.

McGregor played 41 games and kicked 11 goals for Fitzroy after being selected in the 1993 mid-season draft from Prahran and played for the Bullants and Heidelberg.

Anthony McGregor during his time at Templestowe. Picture: Valeriu Campan

He takes over from George Lattouf, after he was relieved of duties with two games remaining in the campaign, and Gary Cutler, who served as interim coach.

Watsonia president Rod Haber said McGregor came highly recommended.

“We sought him out, he came well recommended by a couple of people,” Haber said.

“We made a call and he was having a year off and wasn’t sure whether he wanted to jump back in again.

“The conversations progressed and he met some of the senior leadership group and it sort of clicked.

“They loved him and he loved them and we saw we were a good fit for each other.”

The Saints survived relegation with a 22-point win over Laurimar in the final round of the season.

After making finals in 2023, the Saints won four games and had a draw this season.

However, Haber was confident McGregor could lead the club back up the ladder.

“He has, he’s done it at Warrandyte and Templestowe, his two most recent gigs,” he said.

“He has a way of building belief in players and getting a group to be cohesive and work together, which is exactly what we felt we needed.”

The former Lion will have some exciting talent at his disposal if Watsonia can retain its list.

Despite the club’s struggles, Daniel Annetta is a league best-and-fairest darkhorse and sat third in Coaches’ MVP voting before it went behind closed doors.

In his first season at the club, Ethan Lowe won the league goalkicking title, while captain Josh Bolton, Corey Potter and Harry Sinclair are some of the best defenders in the competition.

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Haber was confident the club could retain its young list and jump back up the ladder in 2025.

“Obviously that’s an important thing for any club,” he said.

“The players once they all met him and have a chat to him, I’m pretty sure they’ll all be keen to stay on board and see where we can go, hopefully have some good times together.”

St Mary’s is the final Division 2 club on the lookout for a new coach.