SFNL: Bentleigh has chosen to not renew coach Kristian Bardsley

Bentleigh has chosen to not renew the contract of senior coach Kristian Bardsley. Read from the club and Bardsley here.

Willis Reidy (L) stands with Bentleigh coach Kristian Bardsley ahead of his senior debut.

Bentleigh president Brett Marshall said the dynamic of the playing group, structure and recruitment were factors in the club’s decision to part ways with coach Kristian Bardsley.

The Demons chose to not renew Bardsley’s contract after it expired this season.

Bardsley steered Bentleigh across the past two seasons for a total of 10 wins.

The five wins in Bardsley’s first season was an improvement from the Demons’ three in 2022.

Marshall said the club spent four to six weeks reviewing Bardsley before it came to the decision on Saturday morning.

“It was a very difficult conversation, a decision we didn’t take lightly,” he said.

“There were just some dynamics within the playing group, things regarding structure and recruitment to the club that we drew the conclusion that KB wasn’t the man to take us forward.

“It was in no way, shape or form a reflection on his effort or dedication or even his game style, we just felt we need to make a change to take us forward.”

Willis Reidy (L) stands with Bentleigh coach Kristian Bardsley ahead of his senior debut.

Bentleigh’s improvement in Bardsley’s first year was followed by as many wins but a 10 per cent climb in his second season.

Marshall says the decision isn’t entirely results driven but admits the club is feeling the pressure of the competition’s restructure.

“It wouldn’t be any secret that we’re feeling a bit of pressure right at the moment,” he said.

“Over the last three seasons: ninth, seventh, eighth. Two sides are relegated out of first division, Narre Warren coming in and second division premiers coming up.

“It’s not entirely results driven but we felt KB wasn’t the right person to take us forward to gain better results, this year’s results, last year’s weren’t going to factor into it if we were convinced we were in a better position going into 2025.”

Kristian Bardsley (L) raises the 2006 premiership with Scoresby. Picture: STEVE TANNER

Marshall denies having a replacement in place for Bardsley and understands the risk it is taking with a fresh start.

“We’re going to advertise and seek expressions of interest, we haven’t got anyone waiting and we certainly haven’t gone out and hunted for anyone,” he said.

“The first thing we had to do was to decide whether KB was the right person.

“It’s not lost on me that to make the decision to not reinstate KB when we don’t have a better option right in front of us was a big decision to make.

“A lot of people would say ‘better the devil you know’ … you can use any analogy you like but we felt we had to act.”

Bardsley was disappointed with the decision after two years of improvement.

“I was put in to do the job they wanted me to do and they’re going down a different path now,” Bardsley said.

“I believe the playing group has been left in a strong position.

“I enjoyed my time at Bentleigh; the playing group was fantastic, they were willing to learn, they listened and I think we were on the right path in terms of getting better.

“I love coaching, I would like to keep coaching but we will see what happens.”

Bardsley played 58 AFL games at North Melbourne and St Kilda, won the 1999 VFL premiership at Springvale before coaching Scoresby to an Eastern league premiership in 2006.