SFNL: New St Paul’s McKinnon coach Andy Scott speaks on how the Bulldogs will improve in 2024

St Paul’s McKinnon is quietly building towards an improved 2024. The new coach reveals recruitment strategy and where his side must improve to return to September.

Nicholas Stathopoulos. Picture: Andy Brownbill

New St Paul’s McKinnon coach Andy Scott has great hopes for the Bulldogs in 2024.

Scott, who takes over from previous coach Jason Heffernan, crosses from Rowville where he assisted in the Hawks stunning Eastern league title.

Once landing the job at McKinnon Reserve, Scott came with ideas instead of players, wanting to add only those connected to, in his mind, a ready-made list.

The additions, Brayden O’Toole (St Bede’s), Judd Rowell (St Kilda City) and Mason Martinez (Ormond), all ticked a prerequisite of Scott’s before signing.

“I spent a fair bit of time getting to know the current group we have got,” he said.

“I sat down with the leadership group to see what areas we potentially needed to recruit in.

“I had a really big emphasis on whoever we brought into the club, I wanted them to already have a connection – I didn’t want to recruit just anyone.

“All of the guys we have brought in either have friends at the club or family that were also needs we needed to address as a football department.”

Nicholas Stathopoulos. Picture: Andy Brownbill

While the Dogs missed out on finals this season, Scott said there is room for optimism as only consistency stands in their way of a return to September action.

“I wouldn’t say they had any weaknesses,” Scott said.

“They copped pretty bad injuries at important points from all reports – depth is then tested very quickly.

“All the footage I watched, I think it was more just a consistency thing for the boys.

“They proved all year that they can match it with the top teams, the ones that played finals, it was more a consistency thing for them.

“They’ve clearly got the talent, it’s now just about putting those pieces together.

“From a deficiency point of view, I don’t think they were missing anything, it was more a consistency thing.

“Earlier in the year they beat Cranbourne out at Cranbourne, had that really good win against Dingley, they were matching it with the finals teams.”

The Bulldogs celebrate a goal. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

Adding a sturdy selection of recruits to a list that already features the likes of Matt O’Brien, Kieran Knox and Matt Kreymborg is promising for the Bulldogs.

Scott tends to agree.

“I always have high expectations on my group, I wouldn’t have taken the role if I didn’t think they were capable of doing what they are capable of doing,” he said.

“I take my footy pretty seriously, I sat down in the committee and did my due-diligence on the list and it just ticked everything I am about when it comes to being a coach.

“I had really good meetings with the leadership crew to get an understanding of who they are as people and it just clicked.

“I wasn’t going to leave Rowville for no reason, we have built something special out there and I was loving it, but the chance to move to a great club like St Paul’s with great history and culture, and potentially be able to help them into the next phase as a club was too enticing to pass up.”