Williamstown players call on club to bring back Andy Collins

Players say the departure of VFL coaching stalwart Andy Collins, who left Williamstown yesterday, would be ‘nothing short of devastating’.

Williamstown coach Andy Collins.

Bring back Collo!

Williamstown VFL players are urging the club to reconsider its decision to part ways with 2015 premiership coach Andy Collins.

In a letter addressed to the board, the players said they wanted to “unanimously express their disappointment in the handling’’ of Collins’s resignation, “particularly as he expressed his interest in occupying the position of head coach on a part-time basis’’.

The Seagulls announced yesterday that Collins, who has coached 245 games, would be leaving after taking up a full-time teaching position.

The former Hawthorn star had a year to run on his contract.

Collins addressed the players in a zoom meeting last night.

In the letter, the players said the prospect of Collins not coaching the club next year was “nothing short of disappointing, and we, the players, would like to strongly urge (the) board, selection committee and key stakeholders to strongly consider Andrew Collins as head coach on a part-time basis’’.

“The ethos of the Williamstown Football Club is held close all our hearts and ‘Collo’, as you would agree, upholds the values with high distinction and has always represented the football club in the highest esteem and with the best interests of the players and club at the forefront of all his actions.

Andy Collins has coached Willy since 2015.

“No candidate would have the understanding of what the club represents to the players and the people of Williamstown as Andrew Collins does.

“Heading into a new season, one that has been described as a transition year, the players are united in our assertion that Andrew Collins is desired as head coach even on a part-time basis.

“This move would help facilitate the move to an Eastern seaboard competition and lead the Williamstown Football Club into a brave new era of state league football.

“The players firmly believe that ‘Collo’ has the ability, experience and nous to lead the playing group on a part-time basis and can continue to perform to the high standard that he has set in his time at the club.’’

The letter said many players believed that having Collins as coach was an attraction of playing at Willy, and that his departure “would be nothing short of devastating’’.

Williamstown CEO Jason Reddick said this morning he had not seen the letter, but acknowledged some players were disappointed Collins was leaving.

“That’s standard; I wouldn’t expect anything less,’’ he said. “It’s not unexpected that players feel connected to their senior coach.’’

Reddick said the club’s coaching position was full-time and Collins had indicated he could only coach part-time.

“That was put forward by ‘Collo’, yes, but the club didn’t want to compromise on its program,’’ he said.

“There was going to be a lot of compromising in some of the suggestions he’d put forward, but really ‘Collo’ had other options he was exploring.

“From our end I think we’ve handled it very professionally in the circumstances.’’

Reddick said the Towners had already been “bombarded’’ with “potential quality candidates’’ to replace the VFL stalwart.

Seagulls officials are meeting the team leadership group tonight.

“We just want to get everyone refocused and moving forward,’’ Reddick said.

Collins has coached 245 matches and two premierships in the VFL.