Shaun Campbell explains why he decided to return to coaching with Diggers Rest
Having last coached in 2018, Shaun Campbell says he is a more mature and better coach now and is excited by the challenge at Diggers Rest.
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“F--k it, why not.”
It was an offer too good to refuse for Shaun Campbell.
The new Diggers Rest coach thought he was done with the coaching caper but the Burras dragged him back in.
He takes the reins at Bloomdale Oval from club great Jamie Lobb, who stepped down after seven years and two RDFNL flags.
It will be Campbell’s return to senior coaching having last led Wagga Tigers in the Riverina league from 2016 to 2018, winning a premiership in 2016.
He’s since been an assistant at Western league club Parkside and midfield coach for the Western Bulldogs’ AFLW side.
Having joined Diggers this season, he’s looking forward to starting a new challenge.
“I couldn’t let the offer go,” Campbell said.
“Lobby had had enough and his family is growing up, he called me and I thought ‘f--k, I thought I was finishing up’.
“The club is in a really good spot, a really good group, Ben Morse the president is good, and brand new facilities.
“I thought ‘f--k it, why not’ I’ll jump in and coach for the next two seasons at least, so I’m really looking forward to the challenge.”
It will be different to his first coaching gig.
“I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Wagga and the challenge of coaching and playing,” Campbell said.
“I was at peace with never coaching again if the right role didn’t pop up, I’d had a few offers, but this one popped up and I’m looking forward to it.
“I’m a far more mature and better coach than I was then, having a year learning down at the Dogs (Western Bulldogs) AFLW and six years older will help.”
Diggers, coming off a premiership in 2023, looked a contender for much of the year.
However, injuries and a late-season collapse saw the Burras finish third in the home-and-away season and exit the premiership race in straight sets.
Positively, the club’s reserves claimed a title three-peat.
Campbell was named on the half-back flank in the Team of the Year, while Campbell Wearne, Marcus Calvaresi and Brodie Meyers were also selected.
Wearne collected the club best-and-fairest.
The club will look to bounce back in 2025 and again challenge for the flag.
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Campbell said having a year at the club under his belt would help his transition from teammate to coach.
“Realistically, I’m still relatively new but definitely still mates with them all,” he said.
“It will be much easier having played a year than just coming in and not having those relationships, I’ve had a year to see how everyone ticks and get the best out of them.”
Diggers kicked off its pre-season campaign on Wednesday night and has secured three players from East Sunbury for 2025; Lochlan Jones, Daniel Paulete and Mitch Shields.
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