Rob Hyde commits to Eltham for 2021 after first season wiped out
Respected coach Rob Hyde has committed to Eltham for another year after his first season at the helm was wiped out by the coronavirus pandemic.
Local Footy
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Footy. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Rob Hyde’s tenure at Eltham was only meant to be one season.
That will now stretch to two after the Northern Football League campaign was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The respected coach has re-signed with the Panthers for 2021, underlining his commitment to the club.
CASH: HOW SALARY CAP WILL CHANGE LOCAL FOOTY
LEADER: GET YOUR NORTHERN FOOTY NEWS HERE
SOUTHERN: SWAN SET TO JOIN ST KILDA CITY FOR 2020
“I was only going to do it for one season but we virtually didn’t get to do anything so I thought one more year,” he said.
“Part of the reason I took the job on was to work with my son-in-law Tom Snell – who coached the under-19s and reserves to premierships – who asked me to come across for the year and see how you go.
“It was just the opportunity to work with him and Eltham being such a good club.”
With Hyde at the helm, Eltham had loomed as a premiership contender this season after finishing third in 2019 and runner-up in 2018.
The former Collingwood star led Greensborough to three Division 1 flags and Calder Cannons to three NAB League titles.
The Panthers had added experienced heads James and Brayden Taglieri, Jackson Weatherald for 2020 and hoped former AFL ruckman Dan Currie would be available for a handful of games.
“For season 2020 Robert and the coaches laid out a foundation for what we believe would have been a very successful 2020 season and we look forward to that being rolling into 2021,” the club said in a statement.
While sanction training was banned, Eltham players had been undertaking sessions away from the club during the lockdown.
After a break from football, Hyde will look to bring his players together in the coming months.
“For the moment I’ve pencilled in August,” he said.
“Hopefully by then the restrictions will have eased a bit a bit more and when the weather’s a bit better we might train and go into the rooms, have a meal and watch the footy.”
After lodging a transfer to Essendon District league club Airport West in the hope of playing this season, reigning Division 2 best-and-fairest Brent Macaffer has officially returned to the Panthers.
The Collingwood premiership midfielder had his clearance back to Eltham approved on July 29 but could be on his way to Southern league club St Kilda City on a temporary COVID-19 permit.