VAFA: St John’s Old Collegians to play in ‘Clubbies’ after being flattened by player exodus

A football club in Melbourne’s southeast is battling back from the brink after losing 25 players in the off-season. Here’s how the club is taking steps to rebuild.

An exodus of players has forced Dandenong club St John’s Old Collegians to drop out of divisional amateur football.

JOCS, formed in 1991, will field only one team this year, in the Club XVIII competition.

President Mick Hancock said the club had experienced a “shocking’’ off-season after losing 25 seniors players in two months and coming to the realisation it would be unable to run two sides.

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But he said the club was determined to continue in the “Clubbies” competition and give itself a chance to rebuild.

Newly appointed coach Shane Kelly parted ways with the club amicably last week.

But reserve grade coach Scott Holmes has taken over, and 32 players have pledged to play under him.

Hancock called an “extraordinary’’ players’ meeting last Monday seeking commitments for the season.

“Once the haemorrhaging started we couldn’t stop it,’’ he said.

“We’ve lost players to Keysborough and Upwey and ROC and Hampton Park and Endeavour Hills and Doveton Eagles and Clayton and South Belgrave … it’s been a disaster.

“We thought in the end we were better going to Clubbies this year, have one team, halve your financial commitment, halve your volunteer requirements, survive and see if a white-knight group will come in and get the club going again.

“It’s been tough for our little footy club. But we want to have a crack at going on because if you fold you don’t restart.

“If you put one side on the field you give 30 young men a game of footy each week and there’s some hope there for the future. That will do me.’’

JOCS played in a grand final in 2016, falling to the Preston Bullants.

Popular ruckman Daniel Cattolico has stayed on and been appointed co-captain with Corey Ely.

Hancock said both players had showed great loyalty and leadership at a testing time.

“Daniel stood up last week and said, ‘Look, I’m in it for the long haul, who is with me?’ and from that point we’ve had some positivity in the place,’’ he said.

Hancock said the club was in a good financial position.

St John's co-captains Daniel Cattolico (right) and Corey Ely.

St John’s was in Division 2 last year and won its last game of the season of avoid relegation.

Its last senior premiership was in 2011.

Hancock said St John’s Regional College was a football power when the club started but now football wasn’t played at the school and in a multicultural area JOCS had struggled to attract young players.

They have established links with Parkmore juniors in the past few months and say they are looking forward to developing a pathway with the club.

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