It’s not just in the AFL where all of the player movement and surprise coaching changes are happening!
Let’s take a look at the changes that have occurred in the Peter Jackson VFL since season 2014 finished.
Casey Scorpions changed the structure of their head coaching role, making it a full time position with an extra development component, at the request of AFL affiliate Melbourne. Rohan Welsh, who held the Scorpions top job for two years, has moved on with Sandringham Dragons TAC Cup coach Justin Plapp taking on the new role.
Plapp has coached Sandringham Dragons for the last three years, making finals two of the three years and having a number of players under his charge drafted into the AFL including Josh Kelly, Christian Salem and Tom Langdon. His ability to develop players recognised with the Casey appointment.
The Scorpions are currently on the lookout for line coaches and a development assistant coach to complete the coaching group for 2015. (CLICK HERE for more info)
After initially being reappointed for a six successive season as Frankston coach, a new board then requested Simon Goosey reapply for his position as they advertised the senior coaching role. Box Hill Hawks assistant coach Patrick Hill impressed the Dolphins and will now lead them into 2015.
His first task will be finding some key replacements up forward for Michael Lourey and Khan Haretuku who are on the move, with Luke Potts and Ziggie Alwan also signally they will not be back at the club next year.
Richmond’s delisting of Orren Stephenson has been the North Ballarat Roosters gain with Stephenson returning to his home club as a playing assistant coach.
Part of the Roosters golden premiership era, Stephenson will also draw on his AFL experience to assist the young tall players at the Roosters TAC Cup affiliate North Ballarat Rebels.
North Ballarat will be on the lookout for a new captain during the preseason after Michael Searle announced his retirement from the VFL at the Roosters B&F.
Three years and two VFL Development League premierships later, Williamstown development coach Brett Henderson will be returning to country Victoria. (CLICK HERE for more info on the vacant coaching role)
He leaves on a successful note, with not just the 2014 premiership but seeing a number of his players progressing to the senior team and cementing spots.
Also departing the Seagulls nest will be assistant coaches Matt Adolph and Adam Potter, the latter heading to Aberfeldie in the Essendon DFL.
Ryan Ferguson also announced his retirement at the recent Williamstown best and fairest night, after an injury interrupted season at the club.
With Bendigo Gold handing back their VFL licence and closing the doors for good, it left a whole club’s worth of players and coaches looking for a new start.
The Gold’s leading goal kicker in 2014, Tyrone Downie, has secured a position on Richmond’s VFL list that also includes the added responsibility of a development coach role.
Collingwood AFL listed player Kyle Martin took out his third VFL club best and fairest (back to back Collingwood and 2012 Frankston) after his outstanding 2014 season, and then shocked the footy world by stepping away from football at the top level.
While many VFL fans expected to see Martin step up and play more AFL games in 2015, he has decided that professional sport isn’t for him and will instead play for Noble Park in the Eastern Football League.
Northern Blues player Jack Anthony has made a similar lifestyle decision, leaving the Blues to head to the Gold Coast.
Essendon player Wayne Schultz, who spent time with North Ballarat and Bendigo, will be moving to Northcote Park in the Northern Football League.
Geelong captain Dom Gleeson is leaving the VFL after a decorated career to take up the senior coaching role with Torquay. He joins fellow retiring captains John Baird (Port Melbourne) and Ben Duscher (Essendon) who will no longer be gracing VFL grounds in 2015.
Finally in umpiring news, VFL Legendairy Grand Final umpires Jack Edwards, Nick Brown & Brent Wallace were recently added to the 2015 AFL Field Umpires Panel.
Visit the VFL website next week as we chat with the two new coaches and keep you up to date with other player movements.
Last Modified on 16/10/2014 14:39