What has Saade Ghazi so excited about new role at Point Cook

A refreshed Saade Ghazi is ready for his next coaching challenge after being unveiled as the new man in charge at Point Cook. He reveals what attracted him to the role.

Saade Ghazi has been named as Point Cook’s new coach. Picture : George Sal

Saade Ghazi is feeling refreshed and ready for his next coaching challenge.

One of local footy’s most respected mentors has been named as Point Cook’s new senior coach for the next two years.

Ghazi enjoyed the year off in 2024 after a stint with Greensborough having also previously coached his now Western Football Netball League rivals Altona from 2016 to 2019.

Living in Melbourne’s west, when the Bulldogs came knocking it all lined up for his return to the coaches box.

“I’ve enjoyed the break but footy has been part of my life for the past 40 years,” Ghazi said.

“Point Cook just felt right for me. They are a strong junior club and have a good mix of exciting young guys and experienced players in the senior squad/

“We want sustained success and hopefully over time we achieve that.”

Point Cook finished last on the ladder this season, after playing in a grand final in 2023 with injuries wreaking havoc to a number of key players.

But there are already plenty of positives looking ahead to Ghazi’s first season in charge with the Bulldogs announcing a string of re-signings in recent weeks.

“The most important thing is the club has a core group to work with and it’s one of the things which attracted me to the role,” he said.

“The core will be what we will build around in the next couple of years. There will be different types of players we’ll look to add because we don’t already have them at the club.

“There is going to be a bit of a reset for the footy department moving forward. My job is to create an environment where there can be sustained success.

“If you build a strong culture, it’s going to give you the opportunity to have sustained success of pushing towards the top-five every season.

“I’m not expecting miracles in year one, it’s about looking towards the long-term.”

Despite not being directly involved with a club this season, Ghazi said he had kept a close eye on the Division 1 competition this season.

“It’s very level and it’s very exciting,” he said.

“There will be three new teams in the division next season which gives us something else to look forward to.

“The even competition is another reason I was attracted to the job.”

Albion, Newport and Sunshine have all been confirmed as coming into Division 1 next season making it a 12-team competition.