All senior coaching appointments for the 2014 season have been confirmed.
Nine of the NFL’s 25 senior clubs will have a new coach next season, with three coaching changes in each of the league’s three senior divisions.
Heidelberg 2006 premiership coach Craig Hunter is back as coach of the Tigers, replacing Ryan Smith who coached the club for two seasons. Hunter returned to Warringal Park in 2013 as an assistant to Smith.
Epping premiership coach Mario Bandera has moved to Eltham to replace Brett Weatherald, while Brad Dean takes the reins at Whittlesea. Dean takes over from outgoing dual premiership coach Peter Bugden, who has taken on the coaching position at EDFL club Craigieburn.
In Division 2, Steven Power will take over from Mario Bandera who coached the Blues for the past four seasons.
Leigh Gray’s departure from North Heidelberg has opened the way for assistant Stephen Saddington to step into the main role, while Lalor favourite son Steve Marshall returns to the Bloods as senior coach in place of Damien Zanic.
Zanic – who coached Lalor for just one season – has moved to A.K. Lines Reserve as replacement to Lochie Dornauf who decided to step down from coaching duties after guiding the Saints to the Division 3 Grand Final.
Former Epping assistant coach Con Borg will begin his senior coaching career at St Mary’s after being appointed to the position made vacant by Brenton Kinnear, while Craig Lambert returns from Craigieburn to take over at South Morang.
Continue below for the full list of senior coaches for 2014:
DIVISION 1
Bundoora: Phil Plunkett
Eltham: Mario Bandera (replacing Brett Weatherald)
Greensborough: Robert Hyde
Heidelberg: Craig Hunter (replacing Ryan Smith)
Lower Plenty: Vin Dattoli
Macleod: Garry Ramsay
Montmorency: Bryan ‘Jack’ Cole
Northcote Park: Jason Heatley
West Preston-Lakeside: Frank Raso
Whittlesea: Brad Dean (replacing Peter Bugden)
DIVISION 2
Diamond Creek: David Calthorpe
Epping: Steve Power (replacing Mario Bandera)
Fitzroy Stars: TBA
Hurstbridge: Jono Manzoney
Lalor: Steve Marshall (replacing Damien Zanic)
Mernda: Brett Wilson
North Heidelberg: Stephen Saddington (replacing Leigh Gray)
Panton Hill: Dean Haydock
DIVISION 3
Heidelberg West: Derek Shaw
Parkside: George Lattouf
Reservoir: Ross Terranova
St Mary’s: Con Borg (replacing Brenton Kinnear)
South Morang: Craig Lambert (replacing Anthony McGregor)
Thomastown: Steve Krstevski
Watsonia: Damien Zanic (replacing Lochie Dornauf)
