WRFL: St Albans lock in former AFL players Sam Butler and Josh Hill
St Albans’ players will be guided by two ex-AFL players with 339 games of experience in 2021 and the WRFL club says the time has arrived to launch a finals push.
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St Albans has declared the time has arrived to make an impact in the Western Region Football League’s top flight after re-signing its star coaching duo for next season.
West Coast premiership player Sam Butler has recommitted to the top job after the coronavirus crisis ruined what was to be his first season in the role, while ex-Eagles and Western Bulldogs forward Josh Hill will be back on board as a playing assistant coach in 2021.
The pair combined for 339 games at AFL level and will be looking to guide the Saints into the top five next year.
St Albans last contested Division 1 finals in 2014, when it finished fourth before it was on the receiving end of a 50-point hammering from Hoppers Crossing in the elimination final.
The club’s last senior premiership came in 2001.
“It’s time now,” president James Perkin said.
“We’ve put a lot of resources in to get where we are, so it’s probably time to take that next step and go from that average club to a club that can compete (with the competition’s best teams).”
Butler played two games for the Saints in 2019 after putting pen to paper in June.
He was appointed as Perry Meka’s replacement a few months later but is yet to oversee an official match.
“We’re hugely rapt,” Perkin said.
“We were just waiting to see if he would stay in Victoria or go back interstate and once that came through, we agreed to terms.
“He’s really warmed to the family-orientation at the club. I think that’s one of the main reasons he wants to stay around.”
Butler, who featured in West Coast’s 2006 flag, was set to take the field this season and add valuable experience.
But his playing future is uncertain as St Albans faces a delicate balance with player points.
“It depends how we go with points,” Perkin said.
“If we can free up some space, then he’ll play. But if we do recruit someone else (who attracts high points), then he probably won’t play.”
Hill made four appearances for St Albans last season and has called time on his career at VFL level.
Few clubs boast such a high-profile pair in their coaching ranks.
“It’s huge for our club, but they’re down to earth and really good blokes,” Perkin said.
“They fit in really well down at the club.
“Not long ago we had a bit of a working bee and they both got their hands dirty. They’re pretty impressive.”
Perkin said the Saints were hoping to retain at least 90 per cent of their senior squad.
He said the club was chasing “one more marquee” player in its bid to close the gap.
Clubs in top suburban competitions are set to have a player payments limit of $100,000 next season.
“The challenge for every club is obviously going to be the salary cap,” Perkin said.
“But from the negotiations I’ve had with our core group of blokes, they’re understanding that’s the way it is now and they’re prepared to take substantial cuts to make it work.”
Zammy Muhtari has also been reappointed as Butler’s senior assistant.
In his role of junior development officer, he has also produced an extensive program for the club’s up-and-coming players, earning praise from Perkin.
Football manager Bill Asani will be back in 2021, while ex-president Gus Jiminez has re-joined the committee.
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