Thomas Ingleton
Tarneit has announced senior coach Vinnie Turcinovich will be stepping down from his role, marking the end of a significant chapter for the club.
Turcinovich, who joined the club late last year, endured a challenging season at the helm with the Titans only managing three wins for the year in the Western Football League division 2.
Turcinovich said he would miss being around the club, but ultimately the decision to step down was one that had to be made for his well-being.
“The [lack] numbers we had at training really made my decision a little bit easier, but it’s a fantastic club and probably the best club I have been to,” he said.
“And we communicated as coaches and I got to know the coaches really well. But they were exhausted because we were going into games not really wanting to be there, because you know you are going to lose by 200-plus points.”
He said the league’s decision to move the Titans up to division two from division three as the competition went to two divisions, caused a ripple effect within the club, and it was always going to be an uphill battle this season.
“We lost our reserves coach, we lost our senior assistant during the year,” he said. “I stuck it out as long as I could because that’s just me as a person.”
Turcinovich said it’s going to be a long way back now for the Titans to taste success, but he hopes the club can find a successor who can bring some talented players with them.
“I wish them all the best and as I said they are a great club, it’s pretty hard where they are situated but hopefully they can find a coach that can bring five or six players.”
As the Titans begin their search for a new coach in season 2025, Turcinovich said the demand of being a senior coach will most likely require him to take some time off from coaching.
“I do need a break but I never say never,” he said.
“I’ve got players I coached ten years ago that I keep in contact with that are struggling with depression, so it never ends. It’s probably a good time to sit down and reflect about what I am really after.”
The Titans acknowledged the impact Turcinovich had on the players.
“Vinnie left no stone unturned in his pursuit of excellence,” they said on social media.
“He has left a mark on many of our Titans and his contributions will not be forgotten.”
