WRFL: Steve Kretiuk stands down as Hoppers Crossing coach

Hoppers Crossing is on the lookout for a new senior coach for the first time in almost a decade after its long-term mentor stood down.

It’s the end of an era at Hoppers Crossing.

Steve Kretiuk has confirmed he will stand down as the Warriors senior coach after nine years at the helm of the Western Region Football League Division 1 club.

The former Western Bulldogs defender was appointed to the role in 2014 having previously served as the Western Jets coach and Werribee VFL’s development team mentor.

Kretiuk was named WRFL Coach of the Year in his first year in charge.

“It’s sad to be leaving but I think it’s the right thing for me and the club,” he said.

“I’m not handing the whistle in to go and coach somewhere else, I’m ready to have a break for a bit.

“I spoke to the club at the start of the year and said this would be my last. I thought about giving it away last year but once Covid brought an early end to the season I thought I’d come back and give it another crack.

“Now is the right time to let a fresh voice come in with potentially new assistants which will bring some fresh faces.

“The club has been terrific, there’s a great playing list and great people working behind the scenes. I look forward to watching from afar.”

Steve Kretiuk has stood down as Hoppers Crossing coach. Picture: David Smith

During his tenure, Hoppers Crossing reached two grand finals but were beaten by Deer Park on both occasions.

The Warriors made finals every year, bouncing back after they had missed out in 2013.

“The club has always stuck by me and I’ll be grateful for that,” Kretiuk said.

“We’ve been there abouts every year but for one reason or another just couldn’t go to the next level.

“But I’m proud of the way we continued to regenerate every year and continued to bring the talent young guys through to play senior footy.”

Kretiuk’s tenure officially came to an end on Sunday as the Warriors went down to local rivals Werribee Districts in the elimination final.

And it was a game which followed a similar trend that had occurred all season.

“We turned the footy over a bit because of our high possession game and the better teams hurt us on the rebound,” Kretiuk said.

“Throughout the year we had been up there for most stats but turnovers always hurt us. Maybe it was a lack of training, we had to reduce the number of sessions sometimes because the 100 per cent commitment wasn’t there.

“That footy momentum was only really coming back in the last few weeks. Guys have found things to do away from footy in the last few years so you can understand why if might not be their first thought.”