WRFL: Tarneit appoints Justin Palmer as coach for two seasons
Tarneit has found its replacement for Mark Elso, locking in a popular member of the playing group as coach for 2021 and 2022.
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Rookie coach Justin Palmer will steer Tarneit for the next two years in the Western Region Football League.
Palmer has replaced Mark Elso at the helm of the Division 3 outfit, with the Titans qualifying for finals in the past four seasons before the 2020 campaign was canned.
Tarneit president Darren Connelly said it was important to give Palmer “a chance to find his feet”.
“I find it hard to have a coach for one year, no matter who it is,” Connelly said.
“But I think with the senior players we’ve got … it will make the transition a bit easier.”
Palmer crossed to the Tarneit midway through 2019 after Manor Lakes went into recess and has quickly established himself as a popular member of the playing group.
He was interim coach at Manor Lakes for the second half of 2018 and came through the junior ranks at Hoppers Crossing.
Connelly said Palmer had gained plenty of respect during his short time at the club.
“We had a few applicants … but as a playing coach I get the best of both worlds because he’s very, very hard at it and he was pushed by a lot of our players as well to be the coach,” he said.
“From what he’s presented to our executive – what he demands on the field he demands off the field as well.
“He does lead by actions. He came to us last year after Manor Lakes had folded, but you would see him down at the juniors as well. That’s really big for a young, up-and-coming club.
“Our blokes have got to be able to see our senior coach or our senior players are supporting the young blokes, especially now with having under-18s. We’ve bridged that gap.
“He shows leadership, knows what he wants and will not (demand) anything more than what he’ll do himself.”
Connelly praised the contribution of Elso, who led the Titans to the grand final in 2017.
He said the Elso had decided “he needed a break”.
“Mark Elso has done a fantastic job, not just getting people to the club but creating a culture where people actually want to come to the club,” Connelly said.
But Tarneit will move forward without two-time league best-and-fairest winner Todd Lawrie, who has joined Division 3 rival Wyndham Suns.
Beau Bostock and Eddie Bryson have returned to Glen Orden.
But Connelly said he expected the Titans to retain then majority of their list as they chase a maiden senior flag.
“The rapid transition from a side that was getting soundly beaten to a side that’s been more than competitive has been really, really good,” he said.
“We’ve been able to fill gaps and won the last two reserves premierships.”
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