VSDCA: Oakleigh names Clinton Bricker as its new coach

Clinton Bricker was intending to have a year away from cricket, until a surprise call from a former teammate helped him land the Oakleigh coaching position.

Clinton Bricker during his time at Prahran. Picture: Graeme Diggle

Incoming Oakleigh coach Clinton Bricker said it was a “no-brainer” to take on the coaching role at the Sub-District Cricket powerhouse.

The Oaks have given Bricker, 28, a chance to start his coaching career at Warrawee Park Oval after announcing his appointment earlier this month.

It’s his first senior position after serving as an assistant at Premier Cricket club Kingston Hawthorn last season.

He will replace Andrew Splatt, who will remain at the club but has stepped down from the role due to work and family commitments.

Bricker only spent one season at Kingston Hawthorn and spent eight years at Prahran, where he played in the lower grades.

He said he was surprised to be invited to apply for the coaching position by Oakleigh captain Brendan McGuinness.

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The pair know each other from their days at Prahran.

Bricker was intending to have a year off from cricket but the offer to coach the VSDCA defending premiers was too good an offer to turn down.

“BJ (McGuinness) threw the head coaching possibility at me … it turned out they were happy to try someone a bit younger because they have a good senior core,” Bricker said.

“Once that came up, my whole mind changed, got an interview and couldn’t turn it back.

“He remembered I was pretty interested in coaching … I think it just stuck in his mind so when the time came, he thought I would be a decent option.”

Bricker will serve as a non-playing coach and will be supported by dual premiership player Alex Jones, who has been appointed as an assistant.

The Oaks swept to last season’s South-West premiership after an eight-wicket win over Elsternwick.

They also won the club championship and their grand final success made it three flags in seven seasons.

But Oakleigh will be without middle-order pair James Campbell and Shane Townsend next season.

Campbell has gone home to the UK with his family and Townsend is expected to return to Western Australia.

But Elliot Fabris will return after a year away.

Bricker said Oakleigh’s history of success made it an easy decision to accept the position.

“Obviously the pressure is on given their history but I just feel for your first role as a senior coach, there’s no better place considering their two previous coaches (Splatt and McGuinness) are still playing at the club and then you’ve got (former state player) Graeme Vimpani,” he said.

“There are people you can lean on. It’s a no-brainer at the end of the day.”