WFNL: Point Cook Centrals coach to stand down

One Western Football Netball League club already knows it will be on the lookout for a new coach for the 2026 season. The man departing the role reveals why he made the call so early.

Point Cook Centrals coach Dean Chambers will step down at the end of the season. Photo: Josh Chadwick.

Point Cook Centrals coach Dean Chambers has confirmed he will step down at the end of the season.

Now he’s focused on laying the “stepping stones” to help the Western Football League club for the future.

There were plenty of positive signs in the opening round of the season as Chambers side recorded a seven-point win over Albion.

It had been a turbulent off-season for the Sharks after losing several key players to other opportunities.

Chambers was first appointed for the 2022 season where he led the Sharks to the Division 2 premiership and has since helped them maintain their place in the top flight.

“I’ve always been club first and it’s important the steps are in place for the club to get on the front foot early when they are looking for a new coach,” Chambers said.

“My job now is trying to get the best out of the players to help attract the right person. The club is only 11 years old and there are going to be strong foundations in place.

“Coaching is a demanding job, it’s 12 months of the year, you’ve got to give it everything. If someone can come in and have a look halfway the season at what they’ve got, it gives us a good opportunity to get ahead of the curve.”

Chambers has already declared “we will play the kids” in 2025.

On Saturday, he handed debuts to recruits Tom Rowland, Kyan Upsall and Brady Crews while Noah Helu who played in the under-18s for most of last season was given another senior opportunity.

“We’re young. We’re going to have good days and we’re going to have rough days,” he said.

“All of those guys played their roles, it was a good even team performance. It was difficult picking out our best six players.

“The game was quite even. Albion, coming up from Division 2, we knew they were going to be hungry. They’ve got a good midfield set up.

“We managed to get on top in the third, but they worked their way back into it, and thankfully we were able to hang on.”

Chambers hailed the impact of Western Bulldogs legend Tom Liberatore who is a club ambassador this season.

“He’s down one night a week and passing on his knowledge to the young guys, he’s been fantastic,” he said.

Point Cook Centrals will next take on Spotswood on Saturday.

The game is set to be officiated by ex-AFL umpire Razor Ray Chamberlain.