SFNL: Des Ryan names interleague coaching panel, we make an early prediction on the selected side

SFNL interleague coach Des Ryan has assembled his panel for this year’s match with the RDFNL. He explains his selections while we make an early side prediction.

Former Cheltenham coach Des Ryan. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Southern league interleague coach Des Ryan wanted “a more contemporary group” when he assembled his all-star coaching panel.

With the clear aim of winning this year’s clash with RDFNL, Ryan picked Springvale Districts’ premiership coach Kris Thompson and highly-rated Dingley mentor Zach Horsley.

Thompson will steer the forwards while Horsley will guide the midfielders.

Ryan said he was looking to balance his own experience with Thompson and Horsley’s innovation.

“Both of those guys coach their teams really well,” Ryan said.

“They’re great with player relationships and I wanted to get a younger crew around because I have been around for a while – freshen up the voice a bit.”

Thompson’s calculated method in recent years had impressed Ryan.

“His (Thompson) structures are always good, he will fill the role as forwards coach well,” he said.

Kris Thompson. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Zach Horsley. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

Horsley, meanwhile, has burst onto the scene in the Southern league, having already won Ryan’s approval after just one season at the helm of Dingley.

“Zach will coach the mids … I think he’s a fresh voice and his knowledge is good,” he said.

“It’s hard to come into a competition in your first year and win finals; I am sure he would’ve liked to have won one but they had their challenges at the end of the season Dingley.

“I wouldn’t rate his performance on the finals, every game we played he probably never had the full talent to beat us but he always started off the games well.”

Ryan said he already had commitment from stars Dylan Weickhardt, Zak Roscoe, Lucas Walmsley and Matt Wetering.

“We’re getting the right traction from the top end,” he said.