AFLNT talent manager Brenton Toy leaves the role after four months as uncertainty reigns

THE uncertainty surrounding the football industry has claimed an early victim with Brenton Toy calling an early end to his role as the AFLNT’s manager of talent

Will Brenton Toy be back in the NTFL’s Premier League coaching ranks after leaving his role as the AFLNT’s manager of talent?

THE uncertainty surrounding the football industry has claimed an early victim with Brenton Toy calling an early end to his role as the AFLNT’s manager of talent.

Toy replaced the long serving Wally Gallio in the role last January after an extensive history in talent identification and competition, coach education, remote programs and coaching at Academy and Premier League level.

But the arrival of the coronavirus and the financial upheaval it has caused in workplaces right across Australia has impacted on the football industry.

AFLNT boss Stuart Totham confirmed Toy’s departure last night, saying his decision to take up a director of pathways role with the NT Institute of Sport was understandable.

“It’s disappointing to see a person with Brenton’s football knowledge move on, but it’s also understanding in the current environment,’’ Totham said.

“Obviously he needs to make decisions involving the best scenario for his family, especially given the uncertainty around the AFL industry right now.

“We’ve got 70 per cent of our staff on standby and it’s a really tough time when games at the elite level have been disrupted and revenues fall away.

“As a result there are cascading consequences for state leagues, their clubs, community football and the communities themselves.’’

One silver lining is Toy’s resignation opens up a return to the Premier League in a coaching or mentoring capacity.

The former Tiwi Bombers, St Mary’s and Waratah coach is only 22 games shy of the 150-game mark and could make it in one full season.

Meanwhile, Totham is closely monitoring the progress of the AFL’s return to play plan and the future of premiership matches in Darwin and Alice Springs.

The AFL has placed interstate clubs Adelaide, Port Adelaide, West Coast and Fremantle in quarantine hubs on the Gold Coast to play matches against Brisbane and the Suns.

“Our focus is working with the AFL, the NT Government, Gold Coast Suns and the other clubs to push hard for our two games to be re-fixtured in the Territory,’’ Totham said.

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