By Tara Murray
New Mernda coach Robert Fletcher is excited by the young talent that he hopes will give the Northern Football League division 3 club a bright future.
Fletcher, who coached the Demons under-19 this season, was last week appointed the club’s senior coach for the next two seasons.
Fletcher, who lives around the corner from the club, said it was a pretty exciting time to take on the b.
“I coached the under-19s this year as a favour to my son, as they didn’t have anyone.
“I enjoyed the year and there’s a good list coming through.
“I think that they [the seniors] are thereabouts and when the job became available, I put my hand up.”
Fletcher, who coached Jacana to an Essendon District Football League division 2 premiership in 2017, said he had always wanted to return to senior coaching.
He said last season was about spending time with his family after a rough 12 months.
“I still have the passion there,” he said.
Fletcher said the young talent at the club was a key reason why he took on the role.
As well as several under-19 players playing a lot of senior football, their under-19s made a preliminary final.
He said Nick Aleksovski and Tanar Peirce, who finished one-two in the league under-19 best and fairest were two of the most exciting players coming through.
Fletcher said adding a bit more experience to the side was a key.
He said they would announce the signings of three playing assistant coaches in the coming weeks.
“It will help the kids out with leaders on the field,” he said.
“There will be a forward, midfield and backline assistant coach. It means we won’t have to wait until breaks to address them.
“It will help the kids out.”
Having finished fifth three times in the last four years, Fletcher said they were primed to move up the ladder next year.
“I’m taking over a side that finished fifth,” he said.
“Panton Hill were the standout team all season and they are going up and no side is coming down.
“Going up a notch on the ladder puts us in the top four and that’s where we’re aiming to be.”
