SFNL: What to expect from a Matt Huber-led Black Rock in 2025

Black Rock’s new coach revealed what enticed him to the role and what he thinks the Jets can achieve under his guidance in 2025.

Black Rock new coach Matt Huber wants to make the Jets a destination club.

Recently-appointed Black Rock coach Matt Huber has ambitions of making the Jets a “destination club”.

Huber takes the Jets’ top job after two years at Hawthorn Amateurs as an assistant coach.

As a player, he was a part of a successful era at Old Ivanhoe Grammarians.

Huber, 55, wants to “build some belief” at Black Rock after some lean seasons following its 2022 premiership.

Huber has big plans for the Jets. Picture: Valeriu Campan

And while he understands the challenge of being within proximity of some powerhouse local clubs, Huber is confident the Jets can thrive under his guidance.

“My early take on the club is that it needs a bit of stability and get back to its foundations,” he said.

“It needs to earn some respect and the players will then build some belief.

“They’ve had a couple of tough years since they won the premiership in 2022, so I am going in with a real focus on building culture, values and having a strong pre-season.

“I want to get to know the boys, keep the core group and recruit, but my vision for the next three years is get ourselves in the premiership window and build through the grades.

“I want to make it a destination club within the community … we’re in a tough area with your Cheltenham’s, Beaumaris’ and St Bede’s Mentone’s but my goal is to make us relevant in that area and I think it’s achievable.”

The Jets will lose captain and premiership coach Ryan Handley, who is coaching Powelltown. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Black Rock won just six games this season but its reserves play off in a grand final this Saturday.

Huber thinks the values of the club are all there already and it only needs buy in to “experience that success”.

“It is easy said than done, absolutely, but you’ve got to start at a base,” he said.

“Respect, unity, connection, all the values the club already has and that’s what I intend to instill.

“It’s also about having some fun, getting a young group to buy into a game plan and then experience that success.”

Huber wants to play an attacking brand of footy which is built off run and carry and exception ball use.

He has already told his new group that is only achievable by a big pre-season.

“It’ll be an exciting brand of footy but we need to execute it,” he said.

“Pre-season will be important because fitness will be a big part of it all.

“I am really looking to develop the younger group, the 20 to 25 group that can build something and go through the grades.”