By Tara Murray
Justin Belleville will take on the senior coaching role solo at Riddell for next year’s Riddell District Football League season.
Having shared the role with Jamie Elliott this year, the Bombers announced last week that Belleville would be a standalone coach next year.
Belleville said it makes it a lot easier heading into next year, having been a co-coach this year.
He said the club had gone through the interview process before deciding on him continuing to coach.
“They still had a process to follow and were diligent in appointing someone to the role,” he said.
“I was happy to coach on at a club I played 150 games at.”
Belleville said that Elliott had decided it was time to step down after four years in the role.
In that time, the Bombers made finals all four years and made two grand finals.
“He’ll still be involved with us,” he said.
“He’s got a young bloke coming through the juniors and he wants to concentrate on that side. He’s still a Riddell boy.”
Belleville said it was an exciting time at the club with the young players coming through.
He said they were disappointed with how they finished this year and was looking forward to getting back out there next year.
“We were disappointed with how we finished. It was one of those days and it happened in a final.
“We know what we did right and what we did wrong. We’ve looked to address some of that with the guys we’ve recruited.
“Even without any additions, we think we still have a pretty good list.”
The Bombers have re-signed 95 per cent of their list for next season and have announced three signings.
Josh Grabham, Jarryd Vernon and Callum Williamson have all join the Bombers having played with Gisborne in the Bendigo Football League.
Grabham, a former basketballer, will take over the ruck role at Riddell, with Belleville saying he was a big signing.
Vernon and Williamson are expected to add some pace to the side.
The Bombers though have lost captain Haydn Ross who is joining the Sunbury Lions in the Ballarat Football League.
“We wish him the best,” Belleville said.
“He’s a Sunbury boy and is going back to the club.”
