Riddell secures Arron Bray from Rupertswood as new coach for 2024

Arron Bray is returning to the RDFNL, signing with premiership contender Riddell for 2024 and he’s bringing some top-line recruits with him.

Arron Bray and Dean Galea during their time at Rupertswood. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Riddell’s arsenal of elite talent has new coach Arron Bray excited by the possibilities.

The Bombers lured the respected mentor across from old rival Rupertswood for 2024 after taking the Sharks to an EDFL Division 1 preliminary final this season.

Bray returns to the RDFNL having previously coached Broadford to consecutive preliminary finals, losing in 2016 to Riddell.

He also coached the Riddell District interleague side to back-to-back victories over West Gippsland and Central Highlands.

After crashing out in the elimination final this season, the Bombers will be looking to return to the top under Bray.

“There were a few conversations and they showed some interest and it progressed pretty quickly from there,” Bray said.

“I really enjoyed my three years at Rupertswood. There’s a lot of good people there and I really hope they can have another good season next year.

“Now I’m looking forward to a new challenge.

“I’ll hopefully get to meet the boys in the next couple of weeks and we’ll map out our expectations and what we want to do moving forward.

“Riddell’s always been a club that’s been around the mark and the club will want to challenge itself and get back to that last weekend in September and hopefully I can play a part in that.”

Bray will have some familiar faces at Riddell’s Creek Reserve.

Brent Swallow, Dean Galea and Jacob Chahine have crossed to the Bombers after playing key roles for the Sharks last season.

Swallow is a Rupertswood great, having captained the club for seven years, won four best-and-fairests, claimed the RDFNL Bowen Medal in 2016 and finished runner-up in 2018 and led the club to the 2019 RDFNL premiership – winning best-on-ground honours.

New Riddell coach Arron Bray during his time at Rupertswood. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Galea, meanwhile, kicked 62 goals and was named at full forward in the Team of the Year and has won two VFL Frosty Miller Medals and was named in the EDFL Team of the Decade.

Premiership young gun Jack Hammerling is also returning after spending 2023 at Maribyrnong Park.

“There’s a couple of lads that had signed at Riddell while I was still at Rupertswood and I think there was a bit of push from those guys to get me up there,” Bray said.

“I’ve got a connection with a couple of boys I coached in the interleague who are still at Riddell as well.

“They’ve got good wraps on young Jack.

“They speak very highly of him, so it’s good to get him back on board.

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“Dean comes with a pretty good football resume and so does Brent as well.

“They’re very highly thought of in the football fraternity and their experience will be invaluable on a young list that Riddell has.”

Superstar Dylan Tarczon claimed the Bombers best-and-fairest and finished runner-up in the Bowen Medal.

After a career-best campaign, Tommy Alkemade was named in the RDFNL Team of the Year along with Tarczon, Bryce Williamson, Ben Sonogan and Haydn Ross.