Simon Wilson has been given the job of trying to help Craigieburn return to Big V men’s division 1.
The Eagles have spent the last two seasons in division 2 and luck hasn’t gone their way, with injuries and player unavailability ruining their chances of being in contention.
This year the Eagles finished sixth, missing the finals by just one game.
Wilson replaces long-time coach Dennis McNamara.
“I was coach at the Coburg Giants, two seasons ago,” he said. “I coached them for two years. The first season was as a playing coach and the second year just as a coach.
“I wasn’t coaching for the upcoming season and I thought it would be good to help rebuild a program like Craigieburn. There’s already lots of talent ….”
Wilson said what the make-up of the team was yet to be decided and that he would have a clearer idea once the club has try-outs.
He said early indications were a lot of players from the previous season were looking to return.
“It’ll depend on who shows interest,” said. “They’ve got the talent – I’ve watched a lot of tape from previous seasons. From what I’ve heard, the team has been able to compete with the top teams even when under-manned.
“We want to build a program which isn’t just focused on one player.”
Kevin Hassall will continue as youth league men’s coach, while Rod Sweeney and Laura Janes have been re-appointed as women’s and youth league women’s coaches.
