VFL pre-season updates
Posted by Brent DiamondNov 3. 2011 4:07 am
UPDATE: BRETT Johnson has retired from Williamstown in the VFL to coach Montrose in the EFL. Johnson, the former Blue and Hawk, has enjoyed a long and decorated career in the VFL. He is regarded as a Seagulls great after serving the club as captain.
GEELONG has appointed former Essendon coach Matthew Knights as the coach of its VFL team for next season.
SANDRINGHAM has appointed Claremont premiership coach Simon McPhee as its coach for next season. McPhee will be the Saints new development coach. It was believed Paul Hudson was also a key candidate for the role after the departure of Brett Lovett.
BOX Hill Hawks reserves premiership players Jackson Sketcher and Leigh Kitchin have joined Frankston for next season. The Dolphins are on the search to strengthen their list and go further in season 2o12.
FORMER Western Bulldogs champion midfielder Scott West has signed as the new Werribee coach in a major signing today.
Werribee President John Nicol said he was excited that a Bulldogs champ is at the helm.
The Northern Blues have announced Robert Hyde as their new coach.
Hyde, 56, will take over from Darren Harris who has been promoted to a full time development role at Carlton.
The Werribee Tigers are on the brink of signing their new coach later this week. It is believed the Tigers have narrowed their search down to four with former Western Bulldogs pair Scott West and Steve Kretiuk and current assistants Chris Gilham and Wade Chapman are in the mix.
WILLIAMSTOWN midfielders Ben Davies and David Stretton have signed with Wodonga.
Classed as top stalwarts for the club, the loss of both midfielders is a huge blow to the club entering the pre-season. It has previously signed, however, Michael Stockdale from Casey.
BRAD Gotch has left his his post as Casey Scorpions coach to take up an assistant coaching role at Port Adelaide under Matthew Primus. There had been rumblings that Gotch figured in Werribee’s thinking for a new coach. He was also not guaranteed a spot as coach of the Scorpions next season amidst a club review.
SANDRINGHAM has parted ways with coach Brett Lovett just a day after the club best and fairest due to its aligned partner St Kilda’s wishes to have a full-time coach.
Lovett was employed as a part-time coach at the Zebras – and similarly to ex-Werribee coach Simon Atkins last year – the club has opted to go with a full-time coach. Lovett runs a nursery in Mornington Peninsula. It takes the number of vacant VFL coaching positions to four.
PORT Melbourne’s Shane Valenti says he has yet to be approached by any AFL club despite winning his second Liston Trophy this season. It is rumoured the ball magnet may be in line for a rookie selection at GWS next month.
FRANKSTON ruckman Russell Gabriel is believed to be heading to WAFL club East Fremantle next season to help further his AFL prospects despite showing brilliant form with the Dolphins this season.
Gabriel finished equal second with Mark Baguley for the club’s best and fairest last night. Luke Potts was the eventual winner.
WILLIAMSTOWN has began its pre-season in fine style after snaring hard-running defender Michael Stockdale from the Casey Scorpions.
Stockdale, who is regarded heavily by many as an AFL prospect, had another blistering season for the Scorpions but has perhaps been attracted to greener pastures because his former coach Peter German is at the helm of the Seagulls.
The 21-year-old will be a valuable addition to the Seagulls after they finished just a step away from a history-making flag this season after winning the inaugural Foxtel Cup.
SHANNON Grant has snared an assistant coaching role at the Western Bulldogs meaning that Bendigo is another club on the search for a coach for next season.
DARREN Harris has been promoted as a development coach at Carlton, meaning, the newly-named Northern Blues will be on the look-out for a new coach next season. They join Werribee, who are also searching for a new coach, following Paul Satterley jumping up to the AFL coaching ranks as a development coach at Melbourne.
Stay tuned to FN’s pre-season recruiting page exclusive to VFL clubs over summer.
Filled under: Homepage, Latest News, VFL News
