By Tara Murray
Bundoora is on the hunt for a new coach with Ricky Dyson getting an offer to good to refuse.
Dyson was originally planning to stay on as coach of the Bulls, but he will now take up a role with Essendon’s VFL side.
Bulls president Bill Price said Dyson went with the club’s blessing.
“He’s been upfront and honest with us,” Price said. “When we appointed him, we said that he would be Bulls coach for as long as he wanted.
“He told us after the semi final loss that he had been approached by Essendon but hadn’t decided at that point. He needed to meet with them to find out a bit more first.
“In the end the opportunity was too good not to pursue. He’s only in his second year of coaching, so he had a lot of learning.”
Price said Dyson had made a real impact in his time as coach.
He took them to a Northern Football League division 1 premiership last year. They made a semi final this year.
“He was fantastic with both the younger and older guys.”
Price said Dyson, who will go down as one of the club’s greats, might not be completely lost to the Bulls next year.
If the Bombers schedule allows him, he will continue at the club as a player.
“He would love to play next season,” he said.
“It depends on his commitments with Essendon and their fixture. We’re hoping he will be available for eight or nine games which is fantastic.
“With how his body is feeling that would work well for him.”
The Bulls have already started advertising for coaches. Price said they are required to anyway under the club’s constitution.
Price said the main focus of the new coach would be to help bring through the younger players.
“In my time we’ve only had five coaches, so once they are around they stick around,” he said.
“We want someone that can work with a young list and bring the under-19s through. Someone that will put time into developing the kids.”
