Tara Murray
Outgoing Tullamarine coach David Connell says the time is right to step away from the Essendon District Football League club.
The division 1 club announced on Tuesday that Connell and the club had mutually agreed that it was time for a different coach going forward.
Connell joined the club in late 2017 and coached the club until the end of 2022 season.
In 2022 he took on the president role before stepping back into the coaching role midway through the season.
Connell said he walks away from the club with no hard feelings.
“I think I’ve probably known from half way through the year,” he said. “Having been at the club for seven years, I’m realistic that it wasn’t going to last forever.
“I’ve got everything out of myself that I could have possibly given them.
“It’s an amicable situation for all parties.”
Connell said the club had come so far in his time at the club with a lot of work for a number of people to get it where it is now.
He said he hopes that he has played a role in that.
“I’ve had my crack and it’s time for someone else to put their spin on it,” he said. “We’ve been at the top without getting the ultimate success of a premiership.
“I love the club. I played six years there as well so that is 13 years of my life. It is time and I’m really content.”
Connell admits that when he stepped away from the coaching role in 2022 that it was more doing what was best for the club, than what he wanted to do.
He said while that wasn’t the right decision for him then, it is now.
The Demons were knocked out of finals contention on the weekend, with two rounds remaining.
Connell said while injuries aren’t an excuse it had been the tale of their season.
“On paper, I’m adamant that we have a side that was good enough to be in the top five,” he said.
“We needed a bit of luck and we have not had that. We had six guys have fitness tests on Saturday to get up for such an important game.
“The list was good enough, but you need a little bit of luck to go your way.”
Connell said he was excited for the last two weeks of the season.
He said he would likely still be involved in football, but it wouldn’t be in the EDFL in the near future.
“I’ve got a few opportunities that I’m working through,” he said. “There’s a couple of opportunities outside local footy.
“I’m keen to explore a different environment.”
The Demons said that Connell leaves a lasting impression on everyone at the football club,
“His unwavering commitment for not just his role as senior coach, also taking on committee roles as president and vice president, supporting the juniors, securing sponsorships and even umpiring games when the club needed it,” the club said.
“He has developed a group that has a strong culture and tight bonds that we are sure will be a lasting legacy of his time at Tullamarine.”
