VAFA Division 2 2018: Eltham Turtles coach John Garrard in for the long haul
COACH John Garrard hopes his decision to recommit to relegation battler Eltham Collegians will assist with player retention regardless of whether the VAFA club falls to Division 3.
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COACH John Garrard hopes his decision to recommit to relegation battler Eltham Collegians will assist with player retention regardless of whether the VAFA club falls to Division 3.
The Turtles faced a major player shortage heading into 2018, putting out a ‘Turtles Call to Arms’ which helped them generate the numbers to field two sides.
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However, the club’s competitiveness has suffered and it has dropped from eighth last year to 10th after 10 consecutive losses in Division 2.
A breakthrough five-point win over Emmaus St Leos In Round 11 boosted spirits and has given Eltham Collegians hope of avoiding the drop, but it slipped to 1-11 with a 70-point loss to Yarra Old Grammarians on Saturday.
Garrard said he hoped his show of faith would help the club bolster its playing stocks.
“This year we started a bit late and had a few issues with recruiting, player retention and other stuff,” he said.
“The earlier we can get in for next season the better and not start behind the eight-ball like we did this year.”
Garrard said he had always planned to be in the coaching role for at least two years after returning to the Turtles.
“It probably will be 3-4 years really to rebuild to where we want to get,” he said.
“Whether that is myself that takes on the role for that period of time is something we will determine after two years. It was always a two-year plan to reassess.”
He said club culture and youth development would be key factors if the club was to turn its fortunes around.
“Whether that’s setting up Auskick programs or affiliating ourselves with other junior programs,” Garrard said.
“Eltham down the road have got two under-19s and we could possibly look at merging with them in some way to get the kids a pathway through into senior footy.”
While Eltham Collegians’ depth has been severely tested this year, Garrard said he could not fault the commitment of the club’s players.
“It hampers you from being able to get over the line in those close games with fitness and the depth of guys coming through to push to make sure they maintain their spots,” he said.
The VAFA will observe a bye this weekend.