New Sunbury Lions coach Ben Jordan is quickly getting to work.
Jordan’s appointment as coach of the Ballarat Football League side was announced on Monday night last week, and by Wednesday he was at the club sorting out the playing list.
Jordan admits his late appointment puts him behind the eight-ball in preparing for next year.
“There’s a fair bit to work out with management of players and recruitment,” he said. “I’ve got to determine who has signed and who hasn’t. We’ve got to roll our sleeves up and get stuck into it.”
Jordan said there was a good foundation in place and that former coach Rick Horwood had done a “fantastic” job.
“A fair proportion of the players were waiting on the coach appointment and I want to have talks with them as soon as possible,” Jordan said. “I’ll have a better idea of the list in the next couple of weeks.”
Josh Burgess will be one omission as he’s signed with Sunbury Kangaroos while Jack Landt has put in a clearance application to Essendon Doutta Stars.
Jordan is no stranger to the Lions, having played with them twice previously.
He played with the club in 2008 and then in 2010 and 2011. Before that, he made his name with East Point, where in 2005 he won the league’s Henderson Medal.
Jordan coached the BFL interleague side in 2013.
“I played a fair bit of footy in Sunbury and live in the area,” he said.
“It’s the premier club in the region and it was too good an opportunity not to put in for.
“I enjoyed the standard and the open style of footy. I’ve been removed from it the last few years, but it’s not a complete unknown.”
Jordan comes to the Lions having spent last year doing some work with Essendon’s VFL side. Before that he coached Riddell District Football League side Rupertswood for two years.
“I stepped down [from Rupertswood] for a number of reasons,” he said.
“Moving on allowed me to do other things and develop myself.
“I come to the Lions with varying experiences as a coach and player, and bring external expertise.”
Another former Lion, Niall McGovern, has been appointed Lions reserves coach. He has played 250 games across several clubs.
Jordan played with McGovern at the Lions before later coaching him at Rupertswood.
“He’s a really good footy person with a great attitude and leadership,” Jordan said.
The club is still looking for an under-18.5 coach.
