Tara Murray
Tullamarine has turned to a familiar face to lead it for the rest of the Essendon District Football League division 1 season after parting ways with Ben Tankard.
The Demons announced on Tuesday night that it had made the decision to change coaches 10 rounds into the season, with former coach David Connell to coach the side for the rest of the year.
Connell had been the club’s president this season.
“We wish to advise that the club has made the decision to part ways with senior coach Ben Tankard,” the club said on social media. “We would like to thank Ben for his hard work on and off the field, in particular his efforts to bond the junior and senior playing groups.
“We wish Ben all the very best in his future endeavours.
“On Sunday 25/6/23 David Connell stood down as president, the executive committee met and elevated Michael Fiteni to the executive committee and voted Katreena Barley in as interim president.
“David Connell has since agreed to take on the caretaker coach role for the remainder of season 2023 at the request of the executive committee.”
This was Tankard’s first year in the job, having previously coached at Macedon and Woodend-Hesket.
After being perennial finalists in recent years, the Demons have struggled this season, winning just two games so far.
They are currently in the relegation zone.
Tankard told Star Weekly a couple of weeks ago, while this year had always been one about rebuilding, the side had been hit hard by injuries which had impacted results.
