Southern league: Cranbourne parts ways with premiership coach Steve O’Brien

Southern league Division 1 premiers Cranbourne has dropped a bombshell, parting ways with coach Steve O’Brien. He has his say.

Cranbourne coach Steve O’Brien during last month’s Southern league finals. Picture: Valeriu Campan

A month after leading Cranbourne to a thrilling Southern league Division 1 grand final victory, coach Steve O’Brien is no longer at the helm.

Cranbourne president Shane Baker released a statement on Monday, announcing “with some regret” the Eagles had parted ways with the 2022 premiership coach.

“Steve came to us at the end of 2017 and has been a pillar of strength for our club through many tough years that have seen us change leagues, move venue and of course the interruptions from COVID,” the statement read.

“For the first time in many years, without the aforementioned distractions being now irrelevant, we feel the time is right to develop and commit to a 3-5 year plan that will encompass our junior development pathway.

Cranbourne captain Brandon Osborne and coach Steve O’Brien last month. Picture: Valeriu Campan

“As a part of this plan, we require personnel who are willing to commit to that plan and unfortunately for Steve and our club, he just couldn’t make that commitment.

“It is unquestionable that if we were happy to continue on with a year-by-year arrangement, then it would have been an easy decision to already have reappointed Steve.

“Personally, and on behalf of our club, I wish to thank Steve and his family immensely for their ongoing commitment to the Cranbourne Football Club. Steve’s legacy is now etched in our fabric, and he shall forever be made welcome around our club.”

O’Brien said on Monday he was “disappointed the way it’s ended”.

“In terms of what my future holds it’s far too early, it’s still pretty raw to be honest,’’ he said.

“We’ll wait and see, we will sort of digest this for a little bit and just see what plays out.”

O’Brien said it was difficult telling Cranbourne’s players he was no longer coach.

“I personally rang a large number of players to break the news,” he said.

“Yeah, it was a really difficult time breaking the news to those boys who I’ve grown so close to and had such a great connection with.

“It was really tough to do. The decision was out of my hands.

“We’ll see what the future holds.”

O’Brien was unsure if he would coach again.

“We’ll either go out on the highest of highs with the last game I ever coached being a premiership or the bug will get me and we’ll go again,” he said.

“We’ll see. We’ll see what plays out.”

Cranbourne joined the Southern league this season from Outer East and won the premiership, beating Cheltenham in the grand final.