Justin Belleville calls time on his Riddell coaching tenure after five years
A two-time premiership player and 2022 RDFNL premiership coach, Justin Belleville has called time on his near 20-year stay at Riddell.
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Justin Belleville’s five-year tenure at Riddell has come to an end.
The Bombers coach quietly stepped down before the RDFNL final series, ending an almost 20-year association with the club.
He departs as a two-time premiership player, 2022 premiership coach and club legend.
Belleville stepped up as Riddell co-coach, alongside Jamie Elliott, in 2018 before taking the job solo in 2020.
The Bombers were fourth when the 2021 season was called off before marching to the premiership in 2022, defeating arch-rival Diggers Rest to break a nine-year drought.
Belleville said it was time for new leadership.
“I’ve been up there my whole life really,” he said.
“It was time, I think the boys need a change.
“My time was up, I’m running my own business and doing my house.
“I’ve played in premiership and coached a premiership, I still love the club but it’s time for someone else.”
Riddell’s premiership defence was hampered by injuries this season.
The Bombers lost captain and star ruckman Josh Grabham to a knee injury, while the likes of Nathan Croft, Lucas Shaw and Matt Panuccio were all limited.
Riddell was the only club to beat eventual premier Diggers Rest this season and also claimed wins over Woodend-Hesket and Wallan.
However, after finishing fourth a surprise five-point elimination final loss to Romsey was the end of the campaign.
Dylan Tarczon capped a fine season with the Alan Retallick Medal as club best-and-fairest ahead of Tommy Alkemade.
“It was good. People base success on premierships but I don’t always subscribe to that,” Belleville said.
“We beat everyone in the league this season and I just think we had injuries at the wrong time.”
Riddell will look to bounce back in 2024 and has made a strong start to the off-season recruiting season.
Two-time VFL Frosty Miller Medallist and EDFL Team of the Decade superstar Dean Galea has signed on for next season in a major coup.
Grabham, Tarczon, Alkemade, Panuccio, Haydn Ross, Cal and Bryce Williamson, Ben Sonogan, Nathan Croft and Oscar Besanko have all re-signed.
Belleville says it’s an exciting job to walk into and he was looking forward to watching when able next year.
“It’s huge, I know there’s more recruits to be announced to.
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“It will be a good job to get.
“We didn’t make any fanfare, that’s not what I do.
“I’m not a bloke that goes to a heap of footy but it’s my club, I’ll get down and support the boys.
“I’ve played and coached flags down there so I’ve got a lot of friends and I’ll be part of their lives for the rest of their lives.”
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