New Tullamarine coach Anthony Leydin’s aim isn’t just about winning Essendon District Football League premierships.
“My job here isn’t done until a kid comes through the club in under-16s, under-18s and through to the seniors in the premier competition,” Leydin said last week.
“It may take three years, it may take five years, but it’s my focus.”
The Demons didn’t field a side in either under-16 or under-18 competition in 2014.
“Any strong club needs to have strong representation in junior ranks,” Leydin said.
“We are under no illusions of what is needed. The under-16s will be up and going next season and the under-18s the season after.”
Despite finishing runners-up in division 1, it will be a new look side in 2015.
‘‘It’s been a bit of a whirlwind,” Leydin said about his time at the club so far.
“A lot has been done and still a lot to be done. We are realistic of challenge ahead of us.
“It will be a different-looking team with a huge proportion of this year’s players not at the club.
“Some have retired, some followed the old coach and some going to other clubs as assistant coach.”
Despite the Demons losing some of its biggest names, Leydin won’t dwell on the past.
Leading goalkicker Jonathan Kent, Adam Sayers, Cameron Hare, Steve Vernon, Tom Delaney, Drew Hynninen and John Tate won’t return. Leydin said the club was yet to hear from a couple more players about their futures.
“We want players who can play in 12 months’ time and then in two years’ time and hopefully in premier division.
“Very few of those who left will be around in two years. It’s probably a blessing in disguise we didn’t go up to premier division.”
Leydin said the club was targeting young players to add to the list.
“We are definitely regenerating list with some of Melbourne’s best young talent.
“There’s not a better opportunity than at Tullamarine. We still [have a] strong core group to build around.
“We are aggressively trying to get 4-5 A-grade types.
“We want to attract the right talent at the right time for the club. We are prepared to get the fundamentals right for the club in the long term.”
