Oakleigh District lets go Carosella, appoints Howroyd
The Oaks make a tough call on club great Dom Carosella and replace him with two-time Southern league Division 1 premiership coach Paul Howroyd.
Southern
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Paul Howroyd wasn’t long out of a Southern league coaching position.
A few weeks after standing down at Murrumbeena, Howroyd has been locked in at Oakleigh District, marking his return to Division 1 league ranks.
The Oaks made the tough call to overlook for reappointment club great Dom Carosella, who took on the job in 2019.
In announcing Howroyd’s arrival, the club noted Carosella’s departure.
It described him as a “loyal Districts man for decades’’.
“Dom’s dedication to the role was commendable, and the club has great gratitude for Dom’s efforts to try and take the club back to a position similar to when he played,’’ it said.
“It has been tough going, and Dom’s commitment to the role has been unwavering. The club cannot thank Dom enough for his efforts.’’
The Oaks finished on the bottom in 2019 with a 1-17 record and a percentage of 65.92.
They dodged relegation when Division 2 premier Doveton Eagles suffered an exodus of players and were kept out of the top grade.
Howroyd is one of the Southern league’s most successful and respected coaches of the past decade, having steered St Paul’s to two Division 1 premierships.
The former Sandringham VFL assistant guided the Beena in 2018-19, but they were unable to turn their home-and-away success into a premiership.
Howroyd said he was pleased to be appointed at Oakleigh District.
“They’re a pretty good club, aren’t they?’’ he said.
“They’re a big, proud club with a lot of history – they’ve been around for a long time – and there’s a lot of strength there, great facilities, they’ve just resurfaced the ground, they’ve got a really enthusiastic board.
“When I spoke to Miles (president Miles Jones) and the board they were pretty enthusiastic about it all, and it took shape from there. We’re pretty keen to get going. Hopefully it’s onwards and onwards. We’ve just got to put our head down and bum up and get to work.’’
Howroyd said it appeared the Oaks were more competitive in 2019 than their record suggested.
But he said the club would need to recruit at least six senior players and present fit for Round 1.
“Hopefully everyone is going to be rejuvenated and enthusiastic after having the year off,’’ he said.
“But anyone who’s looking for a fresh start is very welcome to come across and help us build a good side and make progress in Division 1.’’
Howroyd said he looked at positions in other leagues, but he was happy to stay in Southern and take on the challenge of lifting Oakleigh District up the ladder.
Asked if he was a better coach now than when he took St Paul’s to flags in 2011 and ‘13, he replied: “Tough question to answer without pumping yourself up. But I think so. That just comes with time and age and experience. Absolutely.’’
Oakleigh District said Howroyd’s “record speaks for itself’’.
“But beyond this he is committed to creating even more success. In securing the senior coach position he demonstrated his deep knowledge of the modern football game, an ease at imparting knowledge to others, a focus on youth development and a genuine enthusiasm for community football,’’ the club said.
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