Paul Satterley has been appointed coach of Old Melburnians for the next two years
Surprisingly dumped after lifting Old Xaverians to second on the VAFA Premier ladder, Paul Satterley has been snapped up by Old Melburnians.
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The 2020 season will bring the same VAFA section, Premier, but a different club for coach Paul Satterley.
The former Footscray and Werribee rover steered De La Salle from 2014-18, Old Xaverians in 2019 and he’ll be with Old Melburnians next year.
OMs yesterday appointed Satterley to replace former Melbourne defender Nathan Brown, who has landed at Old Geelong.
Brown steered the club for eight seasons, a security of tenure Satterley didn’t know this year.
He took Xavs from seventh to second but was tipped out after two finals defeats, a narrow loss to eventual premier Uni Blues and a thrashing from reigning premier St Kevin’s.
The decision elevated many eyebrows in the amateur football scene.
Satterley took a few calls after leaving Old Xavs but his preference was stay in the VAFA Premier section.
“There’s something pretty special about the amateur competition and the people involved,’’ he said.
“For me, for the most part it’s been a really enjoyable experience.
“After six years of building my IP, I was keen to stay involved in some capacity. To be honest, I would have been happy to accept an assistant’s role somewhere. But I would have been silly to pass up the opportunity to coach OMs.
“I’m rapt to get it. I’m leaving a club that’s had I believe 10 coaches in eight years and going to a club that’s had one coach in eight years. I’m not saying I’m going to be hanging around for eight years but certainly the stability and vision around Old Melburnians aligns closely with my values.’’
Old Melburnians celebrate their 100th year in 2020 and have been in the top section since gaining promotion with a B section grand final appearance in 2015.
They finished sixth this year with a 10-8 record, going out with a bang in the form of a six-goal victory over Uni Blues, former AFL man Jackson Paine kicking five goals.
“I think anyone who follows the VAFA knows that OMs have shown enough to suggest they’re ready to improve sharply,’’ Satterley said.
“They’ve got a healthy list, I believe retention is going to be really high and hopefully we can add a few players.
“’Browny’ (Brown) has done a great job. Anyone who has been at a club for eight years, that says a fair bit about them as a person. He’s a beauty. Big shoes to fill, I would have thought. But I know they’re very keen to make some inroads on the comp.’’
In advertising the coaching slot the club said it had a “very talented playing list with great depth that is eager to learn and develop, determined to achieve team success’’.
“The OMFC has also recently moved into its new $6.4m facility at Elsternwick Park and arguably has the best facilities of any team in the VAFA,’’ it said.
There were 30 applicants for the coaching job and three presented to the coaching committee on Saturday.
The club said Satterley was the “clear standout’’.
He has been locked in for two years.