VAFA 2018: Fitzroy coach Luke Mahoney re-signs for two more seasons
REAPPOINTED for the next two years, Fitzroy coach Luke Mahoney has declared his intent to lead the club back into VAFA Premier B.
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REAPPOINTED for the next two years, Fitzroy coach Luke Mahoney has declared his intent to lead the club back into VAFA Premier B.
The Roys were relegated last season from the VAFA’s second tier but have qualified for Premier C finals and are one win away from securing an immediate return.
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Mahoney, who has put pen to paper until the end of 2020, said his side had proven it would be a competitive Premier B outfit.
“That’s where the club wants to get back to,” he said.
“Whether it happens this year or not, we’ve got a good group that is determined to work hard and get the best out of themselves.”
Fitzroy will face Williamstown CYMS in a major semi-final next weekend, having been beaten by 22 points against the minor premier in Round 17.
The Roys led at quarter-time but only kicked two points in the second term as the CYs took control on their home deck.
The fixture finished 9.12 (66) to 6.4 (44) in Williamstown CYMS’ favour.
Old Geelong and Old Camberwell will contest the knockout semi-final and Mahoney said each of the finalists were “strong, competitive teams”.
“It’s going to be a really tough finals series and we have got to be able to play our best footy at the right time to make sure we win a final to give ourselves a chance at a premiership,” he said.
The Roys will be aiming to finish the regular season on a high when they host PEGS on Saturday.
Mahoney said recommitting to Fitzroy had been an easy decision.
“There’s loads of potential with the young group we have got coming through,” he said.
“I think we have played 8-10 guys who are 19 or younger in our seniors. That’s exciting to have that group coming through.”
The first-year coach said he had been buoyed by the club’s vote of confidence on the eve of finals.
“That gives me a lot of confidence that we are on the right track in terms of the way we’re going about preparing our players and the relationships we have,” he said.
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