The 2015 coaching landscape is starting to take shape after seven fresh faces have found homes as a senior coach in the Western Region Football League.
Two new names have emerged in Division 1 with Sunshine Football Club recruiting former Aberfeldie Reserves coach Brendan Hallinan to lead the Roos while Port Melbourne Colts have enlisted the help of club legend Brad Julier to take the reins at JL Murphy Reserve.
In Division 2, former Portarlington coach Troy Beamond has nested at Wyndhamvale, David Orchard will be a standalone coach at West Footscray after the departure of co-coach Trevor Davies, while the newly relegated Yarraville Seddon Eagles have appointed Dean Callaway to lead its chargers.
In the league’s newest competition, Christian Spence has been elevated to the senior post at the Laverton Football Club in Division 3, while Wyndham Suns has welcomed its first senior coach in Matthew Stoodley to lead the club’s inaugural senior squad.
With 15 senior coaches moving on at the end of season 2013, the retention of coaches this year has been encouraging, with all three senior premiership teams reappointing its coach.
Deer Park has confirmed Marc Bullen will be at the helm for his third season, Braybrook’s Michael Shepperbottom will chalk up his second year at Pennell Reserve, while Parkside’s Nathan Juegan is looking forward to the challenges of a-grade football after signing on for his fourth season.
Other Division 1 coaches remaining in the top job include Aaron Tymms (Albion), Tom Langlands (Spotswood), Wade Chapman (Werribee Districts), Steve Kretiuk (Hoppers Crossing), Josh Russo (Altona) and Marcus Barclay (St.Albans).
Heath Hunter will once again lead Manor Lakes in Division Two, Stuart Daly (Glen Orden) and Paul Growcott (Caroline Springs) are back in 2015 while there is no word from Sunshine Heights or North Footscray on the future of its coaching panels.
Looking to go one better next year, John Thrush will return to the helm as a standalone coach in Division 3 after fellow Albanvale co-coach Adam Borg stepped down from the role at season’s end.
League newcomers Tarneit has continued with Max DeGroot’s services after taking over from inaugural coach Daniel Mitchell, Sanctuary Lakes welcomes back Nick Waddell for his third year as coach, while North Sunshine is yet to confirm its leader in 2015.
Last Modified on 25/11/2014 16:57