Hall ready for top job


Published on Friday, May 19, 2017

Author : Mick Mattingly

Newly appointed South Morang coach Gary Hall is confident his transition into the senior role will hold the Lions in good stead ahead of their Heidelberg Golf Club Division 3 clash with Reservoir.

Speaking to NFL.org.au this week, Hall said the representative weekend gave the club a chance to get things in order.

The Lions made the announcement they had decided to part ways with Dean Grainger following their first loss of the season against fellow fast starters Banyule in Round 5.

“It was good to have that week off last week and be able to get things organised,” Hall said.

Despite the Lions strong start to the season, Hall intends to implement his own game plan and structures.

“It’ll be different. A lot of younger boys will get a crack and given their chance, we will be looking to bring a bit more speed into the side.”

South Morang sourced a new coach internally, approaching Hall whilst he was helping out with the club’s junior teams.

“I was assistant with the under-16s this year, helping out a bloke I used to coach, and they just got me from there,” he said.

Hall comes with plenty of previous coaching experience, totalling up to 15 years, which includes time as the playing-coach of South Morang.

“I’ve also coached a lot of junior sides along the way, under-14s, 15s and 16s, and coached the under-19s side a few years ago,” he said.

There was fear the signing of a new coach may cause some unrest in the playing group, however Hall is confident the departure of veteran Paul Harrison to Bundoora will be the only change to their list.

“That’s about the only one that I know of, we will be pretty much the same.”

The 2011 Bundoora premiership player will leave a dent in the Lions’ leadership stocks after arriving at the club at the conclusion of the 2014 season.

Ahead of their game against the winless Reservoir, Hall said he is feeling no extra pressure heading into his first match at the helm, despite it being a game the Lions are expected to win.

“I guess every game you have a little bit of pressure. I just want the boys to play the style that I want them to play so they just need to work on that.”

Notably, South Morang will head into the match without Darren Gresham, Luke Jackson and Kane Maghamez after the trio was not named in the Lions’ squad for this week’s match.

The game will be played at Mill Park Lakes Reserve on Saturday.

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