WRFL: Ex-AFL midfielder Adam Contessa named as Hoppers Crossing’s new coach
New Hoppers Crossing coach Adam Contessa has opened up on his return to coaching as he prepares to follow on from his “great mate’s” work.
Western
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A text message out of the blue is all it took for Adam Contessa to be drawn back into footy.
The former Western Bulldog has been out of the coaching caper for the last two years after he walked away from Sunshine at the end of the 2020 season.
But now he’s back after being appointed as the new senior coach of Western Region Football League powerhouse Hoppers Crossing.
Contessa will replace his “great mate” Steve Kretiuk who stood down from the role earlier this year.
“Footy in Melbourne was out of the question a few weeks ago,” Contessa said.
“I’m based in Pascoe Vale and just started a new job down in Geelong so it probably would have been a lot of commitment to coach a club in Melbourne.
“But then when I got a text off someone I know at Hoppers, I thought it was a perfect fit and made a lot of sense for me. Hoppers have been a big and powerful club in the competition for a long time now and that was one of the attractions to taking on the role.
“I’ve always wanted to coach one of the premier clubs and now I’ve got the opportunity to do that. Following on from Kritter is a great challenge, he’s done a terrific job over the last few years.
“Maybe the club needed a change but that’s something we will see next year.”
Contessa has extensive experience as a coach having previously held roles at Essendon District league clubs Airport West and Pascoe Vale.
He guided Airport West to a premiership in 2012.
But he admits he’s walking into somewhat of an unknown next season with the landscape of the WRFL continuing to change.
Deer Park and St Albans look set to depart for the EDFL meaning there could be an eight-team Division 1 competition.
“It’s going to be very different next year, no one is sure what to expect,” Contessa said.
“Hoppers have been in finals for the last eight or nine years and we’d expect to be around the mark again. We’ve retained the majority of the playing list and there’s some talented juniors coming through as well.”
Contessa is also coaching cricket this summer after being appointed to the top job at Pascoe Vale Hadfield in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association.
He returned to a coaching role in his other sport of choice for the first time in over a decade.
“It had been a while but the club approached me about getting involved in the program after I retired at Yarraville,” he said.
“My kids are playing down there and I thought it was a great way to get involved myself.”
Hoppers Crossing’s 2022 season came to an end at the hands of grand finalists Werribee Districts in the elimination final.
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