Southern league: Highett and coach Brad Berry part ways

Highett is on the hunt for a new coach in Southern league after mutually agreeing to part ways with three-year coach Brad Berry.

Highett coach Brad Berry at the huddle. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Highett is on the hunt for a new coach after mutually agreeing to part ways with Brad Berry.

Berry has steered the Bulldogs for three years, including the 2020 season that never got started and the shortened 2021 season.

He has Highett 5-10 and in seventh spot on the Southern league Division 2 ladder this season.

Highett commended Berry on his “commitment, professionalism and preparation” in his time at the club.

“He left no stone unturned in trying to improve not only the senior results but the entire club,” Highett said in a statement on social media.

“Once the 2020 season was abandoned due to Covid, Brad used his vast experience...to write and present to the club a vision for 2022 and beyond.

“Many of those initiatives have been introduced to help our coaches teach the game.

“He also made sure the club again had an U19s program in place after six years without one.’’

Samuel Jackson has had an outstanding season for Highett. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Highett won its opening two games this season and was in the finals mix at the halfway mark, but has battled in the second half.

Samuel Jackson has had an outstanding season for the Bulldogs, named in the best players in all of his 14 games.

Will Barron, Jacob Duscher and Will Bodman have also been consistent contributors.

Mitchell Hoar leads Highett’s goal kicking with 26 majors.

Berry’s last game at the Highett helm is on Saturday when the Bulldogs host Keysborough at Turner Rd Reserve.

When Berry was appointed senior coach of Highett in 2019, it was his first senior role.

He had been involved in coaching for a long time, as a four-time premiership-winning reserves mentor, as a senior assistant and as an award-winning under-age coach.

Berry coached at the St Bedes Mentone Tigers and Old Brighton and at the Sandringham Dragons he coached under Jeremy Barnard and alongside Danny Ryan, Jackson Kornberg, Fraser Cameron and Mick Lovejoy.