Tara Murray
Ben Tankard couldn’t say no when he was asked to take on the Tullamarine senior coaching role for next year’s Essendon District Football League division 1 season.
Tankard had joined the club as an assistant coach a month ago, with discussions to take over from David Connell down the track.
But that has now been fast tracked, with Tankard on Sunday announced as the club’s new coach.
Tankard said he was excited by the opportunity.
“Things changed after the finals exit,” he said. “It’s a great opportunity to get involved and it’s nice and close to home.
“It’s a good club.”
Tankard returns to coaching after a couple of years off. After being an assistant coach in the EDFL for a number of years, he coached Macedon and then Woodend-Hesket in the Riddell District Football League.
He said he needed a break from coaching and spent the year watching a lot of footy.
Tankard was looking at jobs when Tullamarine approached him.
They asked if I wanted to be an assistant coach, he said.
“There is a potential succession plan. David had a change of heart for family reasons and made the decision to step down.
“The opportunity was there and I didn’t take long to make the decision.”
Tankard is no stranger to the league having spent 10 years at Essendon Doutta Stars. He grew up in Gladstone Park.
Tankard comes into the club after a disappointing end to the 2022 season. The Demons finished the regular season in second, but exited the finals in straight sets.
The new coach said there was naturally still some disappointment from the playing group.
“Dave has done a great job and they are always competitive and up there,” Tankard said.
“It will be a bit of a different looking style and list. We’ve lost a few players already.”
Tankard said they would look to play younger players who hadn’t previously got a lot of opportunities.
He said they might recruit a few players to replace those they’ve lost, but would look to build from within.
“There will be opportunities and we’ll be looking for who stands up.”
Connell is set to still remain at the Demons though, in a different role. He said that he would look to put his hand up for the president’s role.
“The time is now right for me to hand the reins over,” Connell said on social media.
“The playing group will benefit from a new voice, new ideas and new game plan. This is the fresh air the group needs and it will bring some excitement to the club for us to reload and challenge again in 2023.
“I’m really excited for the next challenge and will do everything I can to make this club a powerhouse on and off the field”
The club also thanked Ben Chapman who was a co-coach this year.
