When Greenvale Kangaroos named Stan Nell as the club’s next Premier Cricket coach, the appointment was based on the overall package rather than any one key element.
Kangaroos president Bruce Kent said Nell presented as “the best coach for us going forward”, one who had a deep understanding of Premier Cricket and had embraced the culture of the club.
“He lives in Sunbury so he knows the area and has previously coached Hawthorn-Monash University on two occasions,” Kent said.
“He has also been a Premier Cricket player with North Melbourne and coached internationally.”
Nell is set to get a two-year contract with the club after being promoted from his role as assistant coach.
Kent said the club’s thriving junior program would be the backbone for the club in the future. The Kangaroos finished 17th last year.
“We have got the best three ovals in Melbourne’s north-west,” Kent said. “We’ve just finished our turf training facility, which has 16 wickets – it’s better than most others.
“There’s been a lot of work done and we have set in place a terrific academy. Our under-16 division 1 team made the grand final.
“Our under-17 team were Victorian Turf Cricket Association premiers and five of those players played Premier Cricket. We hope we are headed on the right path.”
There seems likely to be changes to the Kangaroos’ list, including the departure of captain James Lidgett, who is awaiting a clearance to join Essendon.
“James was a bit of a shock,” Kent said. “We were recently speaking to him about the captaincy for next season.”
English imports Jack Shantry and Ben Cox are unlikely to be back.
“Alex Kerr leaves with our blessing,” Kent said. “He lives on the other side of the city and it’s a bit much to ask him to keep driving all the way across.”
The club’s other assistant coach, Dale McDonald, will not return after being appointed coach of Williamstown in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association.
“Dale is keen to be a senior coach in his own right,” Kent said.
“We have a couple of people we are speaking with to consider as assistant coaches and players.”
