WRFL: Chris Moreland steps down as Wyndhamvale coach
A high-profile Western Region Football League coach who starred on football program The Recruit has stepped aside, citing personal reasons, as the club launches an immediate search for his successor.
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At least four Western Region Football League clubs will have new coaches at the helm in 2021 after Wyndhamvale’s Chris Moreland stepped down from the top job.
Moreland put pen to paper on a two-year deal with the Falcons ahead of the 2019 Division 2 campaign.
But he only served one season because of the coronavirus pandemic, named the coach of the Division 2 Team of the Year after leading Wyndhamvale to the grand final.
“He’s been great for us,” Falcons president Steve Tessari said.
“It’s really sad to see him go.
“He’s had some personal issues … and it just got the better of him. What he said to us was that he just couldn’t give 100 per cent with that until it was dealt with. That’s the sort of bloke he is – he needs to be giving 100 per cent (to be satisfied).
“He thought about it for a month and then said he couldn’t do it.”
Tessari said the players “learnt a hell of a lot” from Geelong league champion Moreland as the club eyes a return to the top flight.
Wyndhamvale spent three years in Division 1 after winning the 2015 Division 2 premiership, suffering relegation after claiming one victory two years ago.
“I think we’re good enough with some experience,” Tessari said.
”In our last year (2018), we were more than competitive and we were losing games from what I think was a 10-minute lapse, and the opposition would pile goals on.
“That was to do with experience.
“We’ve still got most of those boys who played in Division 1.”
The Falcons have already re-signed the bulk of their senior squad for next season as clubs prepare for salary cap cuts of about 50 per cent.
Cameron Morrison is also set to return next year following a broken leg and cancer battle, while MacKenzie Parker will be back after a knee reconstruction.
“There’s one or two that are having a think (about their futures),” Tessari said.
“But we’ve probably got 95 per cent of them on board, so we’ll be fine player wise.
“We’ve had to reduce what we’re paying and stuff, but they’re all really happy to take reduced payments. It’s a really good group.”
Tessari said Wyndhamvale had launched its search for a next coach and was “targeting people”.
He said the club was “pretty set on what we want” but added there was no timeline to lock in Moreland’s successor.
The Falcons finished minor premier with a 17-1 record in 2019 before they were outclassed by Yarraville-Seddon in the decider, losing by 67 points.
Deer Park, Yarraville-Seddon and Tarneit are also on the hunt for new coaches.
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