Jake Best to coach Traralgon in Gippsland league

After four years and two premierships with Vermont in the Eastern league, classy forward Jake Best is returning to his country roots.

Jake Best getting busy for Vermont.

Jake Best has gone back to where his football began, on the grounds of Gippsland.

Vermont’s ace forward has been appointed coach of Traralgon, which was in the headlines a few weeks ago when it sacked senior coach Tim McGibney over comments he made about a Wonthaggi player on a podcast.

Best, 30, knows a bit about the Maroons.

In 2015 he played against them for Leongatha in the Gippsland league grand final.

Traralgon won the premiership. Best won plaudits that season after booting 91 goals for the Gatha.

“I’m excited to get back to Gippsland,’’ Best said this afternoon.

“I’m a country boy at heart. It will be good to head back there.

Jake Best slots a goal for Vermont.

“They (Tralragon) have been chatting to me for a while. Now’s probably the right time to have a go at coaching. I’m at the right age to get into it, and it’s a great club to get an opportunity at. They’re a proud club with a huge history. They played in the VFL in ’96 and ’97. They have a really strong junior program.’’

The Maroons finished down the ladder in 2019. But Best said they might have been better than results suggested, pointing out they were second in scores against and lost eight games by under 25 points.

Best said Traralgon had a young group of players.

“I’m looking forward to working with them and helping them develop into senior players,’’ he said.

“There are going to be some challenges … first year as coach and I’ll be a playing coach. I’m glad I had last year coaching the (Vermont) Under 19s and Harmit Singh (former Vermont coach who has taken over at Warragul Industrials) will be a support for me.’’

He said he would be out to have the Maroons playing an attacking style of football.

Best came out of Foster (where his father, Rob, has for many years operated the Foster Mirror newspaper), playing in a premiership for the Tigers at the age of 20.

He crossed to Leongatha, had two years with Casey in the VFL, returned to the Gatha in 2015 and joined Vermont in 2016.

In his four years with the Eagles he figured in four grand finals, premierships coming in 2018-19 with teams fit to rank as among the best seen in local football. The Eagles would have set out as hot flag favourites had the 2020 season gone ahead.

“Really tough to leave Vermont,’’ Best said. “A lot of my close mates are there and we’ve achieved a lot. It’s been very special. Phenomenal side. Great to be part of it. Great club, Vermont. It will always be my club in Melbourne.’’

Best had returns of 39 goals, 68, 46 and 29 in his four years in Eastern.

He was selected in Leader’s list of the top 50 local footballers.