St John’s coach Tim Edwards on leading a VAFA resurgence

Under new coach Tim Edwards, St John’s is right in the premiership mix as he gives an insight into taking on the job, convincing guys to play again and the four father-sons carrying on a legacy.

St John's are currently in top spot. Photo: VAFA Media.

When Tim Edwards received a call from a former St John Old Collegians president last year, he couldn’t have predicted what would follow.

Edwards, a former player with the VAFA club, was enjoying a year off footy having previously played with Keysborough in 2022.

He had never coached or even been an assistant but was soon thrown into the deep end as a new senior coach.

When the announcement was made, St Johns had come off a Division 4 finals appearance but changes to the competition’s structure over the summer meant he was leading his side into the unknown of a new look Division 3.

Fast forward to the end round 14 of the 2024 season and the JOC’s sit on top of the ladder.

“I hadn’t really had the coaching bug before, it’s something I didn’t really have time for,” Edwards said.

“But I thought after a year off it would be a good opportunity to help the club out. The past president reached out and told me the situation the club was in.

“I made a few phone and we were off and running. I run a business and a few of the boys play footy and they’ve all come with me. We had 32 players recruited.

“Seven of the guys in our senior team didn’t play last year. The biggest challenge for me has been trying to manage guys, pulling them back. I think having the management side of things at work has helped.

“Finals aren’t guaranteed and we don’t talk about them until they are”.

Among the recruits who have made an impression on the competition include Daniel Abou-Karroum and Matthew Carnelley.

Abou-Karroum, who Edwards described as “just a bull”, has been among one of the most consistent performers.

Meanwhile, Carnelley is the league’s leading goalkicker with 56 majors in nine games, although he’s pulled out of two in the warm-up of those listed.

Abou-Karroum has been one of his side's leading performers.

Carnelley has been a major addition inside forward 50.

“He’s a 100mph type of guy,” Edwards said of Abou-Karroum.

“We’ve moved him across different positions to help get him through when he’s had a few issues with injury. He’s just one who wants to be out there all the time.

“Matt is one of my best mates, at first he said ‘you’ll never get me’ but when he saw what we were building, he jumped on board. He’s been a real driving force behind what we’ve been doing.

“Like others, we’ve been cautious about managing his loads.”

While the experienced players are proving vital for St Johns, the next generation of stars are playing a key role.

They include brothers Clayton and Harvey Emery, Jayden Rudd and Austin Water. All four are the sons of former St Johns players.

“They weren’t on the radar, they came down about six weeks before the season,” Edwards said.

“Austin has held fullback down for us all year, which is huge for a 20-year-old. Harvey has been good up forward, he got a VAFA rising star nomination earlier in the year and his brother has been important when available.

“Jayden has been in and out but we’ve been impressed by what he’s brought.”

While he’s enjoying the ride of this season, Edwards is aware the bigger goal of what lay ahead.

“The whole thing was to build the club to where it was,” he said.

“When I was playing it was a strong club in Division 1 and 2 for a lot of years.

“When I do eventually leave, I want them to be stable off the field and to keep competing at whatever level they’re at.”