Tigers find where there’s a Will, there’s a way

A 22-YEAR-OLD in his first year of coaching has been recognised for his role in a remarkable sporting turnaround.

SFL coach of the year William Perry, 22, who coaches the Hobart Tigers Colts team. Picture: SAM ROSEWARNE

A 22-YEAR-OLD in his first year of coaching has been recognised for his role in a remarkable sporting turnaround.

Will Perry was named the SFL Coach of the Year at Monday night’s William Leitch Medal ceremony after guiding the Hobart Tigers Colts into Saturday’s grand final against the Southern Storm at North Hobart Oval. The feat is made all the more remarkable considering the team did not win a game in 2016 and lost by an average 90-point margin.

“It is really humbling to win an award like this. My goal was to firstly win a game and then for the guys to stay competitive,” Perry said.

After defeating Huonville by 110 points in Round 1, the Tigers went from strength to strength.

“We got a few new guys at the start of the year, but everyone has improved out of sight and matured as footballers and people. We have reached a medium between having a joke and getting to work,” he said.

Perry, the son of former North Hobart premiership player Darryn, always had a desire to coach but concedes the year has surprised him.

“I was really passionate about coaching and fell into it a little earlier than expected due to some recurring concussions that stopped me from playing. It’s hard to imagine ever having another season like this,” Perry said.

Perry is looking forward to taking on the Southern Storm in the decider, a team that is coached by Matty Brereton, a former teammate of his father’s.

Monday night’s award ceremony also marked the inaugural SFLW awards with South East Suns star Hannah Scott polling 21 votes to take out the first SFLW Medal and fellow Sun Nicole Matthews recognised as the competition’s leading goalkicker.

Anthony Osborn is a UTas journalism student.