WRFL: Deer Park’s plan to replace coach Marc Bullen for 2021
Deer Park president Matthew Pratt explains what the WRFL powerhouse will look for in its next coach after Marc Bullen’s exit and why the job is attractive as the club embarks on a new era.
Local Footy
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Footy. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Deer Park president Matthew Pratt expects the coaching position vacated by seven-time premiership mentor Marc Bullen to attract high-quality candidates as the club embarks on a new era.
Pratt said the Western Region Football League powerhouse was open to a playing or non-playing coach, and the Lions are likely to have no shortage of options as a result of the coronavirus crisis.
Several credentialed coaches are chasing gigs after falling out of the AFL system due to ‘soft-cap’ cuts brought on by COVID-19, while others from the VFL ranks have also been left without jobs.
Pratt said the club wanted a coach who had a deep understanding of the modern game and tactical nous.
“I’m very confident our job will be extremely enticing to somebody that wants an opportunity or even a proven senior coach somewhere else,” Pratt said.
“I do honestly believe people will be excited about the prospect of coaching our football club.
“Some may be put off because of the fact the person you have just replaced has won seven consecutive premierships.
“The game has changed and evolved a lot, even the last couple of years. Now you’ve got a situation where you’ve got 6-6-6 (starting positions) on the ground.
“The coaches of the past would have rolled two or three behind the ball and start defensively because they were kicking against the wind. You can’t do that anymore.
“You’ve got to work out a way to use the ground to the maximum amount you can.”
Deer Park won a remarkable 120 of 140 games under Bullen since the start of 2013.
But clubs are preparing for salary cap cuts in 2021 as a result of the pandemic, which will even the playing field, and Pratt said a high-profile coach did not necessarily always represent the best fit at local level.
“It’s very, very difficult to get a coach who is used to AFL structure and put them in community footy,” he said.
“That’s the challenge. The AFL players play for minimum wage of $200,000, whereas a community footballer will play for not much more than maybe $300 a game next year in terms of the salary cap.”
Kwame McHarg, Jase Perkins, Max Bruin (all Port Melbourne Colts), Troy Kelm (St Kilda City), Kevin Klix (East Keilor) and Shaun Harrison (Macedon) left Deer Park last off-season, while Shannon Byrnes, Jackson Barling and Daniel Cooper retired.
Pratt conceded the club was undergoing a changing of the guard.
But he said he did not agree with claims it was entering a rebuilding phase.
Pratt added the Lions would look to pick up conversations with prospective players who have given them “positive vibes” in recent times.
“It’s more of a realignment, understanding we’ve had an ageing list for a few years and we needed to create some opportunities for young players, and we believe we will do that more so than previously,” he said.
“If a young player wants to play Division 1 and have an opportunity in a really good structure and at a really good football club, then we’d be open to having a chat to them.
“We’re still going to have some good experienced players around, which is really critical.”
Rival clubs such as Altona, Hoppers Crossing, Werribee Districts, Spotswood and St Albans will sense a chance to end Deer Park’s run of success.
But the Lions still boast an impressive array of senior players, including captain Jack Purton-Smith, champion Chris Stewart, ex-AFL player Jack Redpath, Scott Greenhough, Spiros Amarantidis, James Wong and Tim Quick.
But there will also be a chance to pump more senior games into the likes of Simon Nahyna, Riley Colbert, Nathan Knuckey and Jordan Brereton.
“Some will form a basis that the giant is dead in some way, shape or form,” Pratt said.
“In saying that, it would be remiss of us as a club not to look at the fact we’ve had an ageing list for a few years and that we needed to transition at some point to a younger core group of players.
“We’ve got players who are nearly approaching that 40-50 senior game mark, which I think is critical in terms of senior footy.
“Players get to 50 games and develop a lot more. They’re probably used to the speed and the skill level of Division 1 and they start to make better decisions.”
Pratt heaped praise on Bullen for his undeniable record of accomplishment as the former Essendon player lifted Deer Park from a mid-table finish in 2012 to one of the leading sides in suburban football.
Bullen is yet to decide if he will coach at another club next season.
“Marc has been and is a fantastic football coach but a fantastic football person as well,” Pratt said.
“We’re extremely sad to lose him but also totally understand that he’s indicated he’s weighing up the work-life balance side of things and family and also potentially looking at a new challenge.
“He hasn’t ruled out coaching next season and he has our blessing. We wish him all the best.”
MORE LEADER LOCAL FOOTY NEWS
ST ALBANS LOCKS IN EX-AFL PAIR AS COACHES
WRFL’S MOST SUCCESSFUL COACH EXPLAINS DECISION TO DEPART
HOW CORONAVIRUS HAS REALLY IMPACTED LOCAL FOOTY CLUBS
GOALS GALORE: THE SPEARHEADS WHO LIT UP THE VFA
WHY LOCAL FOOTY’S ‘BIDDING WAR’ MUST STOP