VAFA Premier: Anthony Lynch returns to St Kevin’s as senior coach

Premiership captain Anthony ‘Plugger’ Lynch is returning to Skob as senior coach after the VAFA Premier powerhouse moved on Guy Martyn.

Guy Martyn coaching St Kevin’s in 2019.

Having axed Guy Martyn as senior coach, VAFA powerhouse St Kevin’s has appointed club great Anthony “Plugger’’ Lynch as his replacement.

The club confirmed the switch last night, farewelling Martyn and welcoming back Lynch.

Martyn, a former Sandringham VFL player, took over the coaching position after Shannon Grant was forced to step aside ahead of the 2018 season.

He steered St Kevin’s to the 2018 premiership and to the 2019 grand final, and this year had the team in the top two all season.

Martyn had served as an assistant to Grant and previously guided Hampton Rovers to successive premierships in 2013 (D1 Section) and 2014 (Premier C).

Skob football operations director Michael Christian noted Martyn’s success at the club.

“But it was his commitment and dedication over the wasted Covid year in 2020 which shone through and then again in 2021 with the club contending for competition leadership when the season was regrettably cancelled,’’ he said.

“Guy has been an integral part of SKOB’s greatest era and we will be forever thankful for his commitment, dedication and effort in making that happen.’’

Anthony Lynch takes a kick for St Kevin’s.

Lynch, a St Kevin’s life member, retired at the end of the 2019 season after a career that took in enough awards and medals to fill a safe.

He played 287 senior games for the club and was instrumental in their 2015 B section premiership and return to the top flight.

A Premier flag, the club’s first, came two years later, followed by another in 2018.

A goalkicker who turned himself into an undersized but inspirational tap ruckman, Lynch was captain of all three premiership teams.

Guy Martyn has coached three premierships in the VAFA.

Lynch won two best and fairests, was a long-serving skipper and a regular VAFA representative player, including the Big V captaincy.

Last year he joined Essendon VFL as an assistant coach, and was appointed VAFA state coach.

“Every game he played from 2006-2019 was in the senior side and few would argue he turned himself into one of the greatest and toughest rucks in the VAFA,’’ VAFA communications chief Nick Armistead wrote of Lynch last year.

Christian said Lynch “brings an undeniable passion and energy to the club he has served with great distinction for 18 years’’.

“He has clear philosophy on how he will coach but his strengths extend far beyond this,’’ he said.

“His ability to build relationships, and nurture and set behavioural standards is unparalleled. We look forward to continued success under the stewardship of Plugger.’’