It was an easy decision for East Sunbury to reappoint Steve Grey as coach of the club’s senior football team.
Grey, who made the switch from cricket coach to the club’s football coach this year, oversaw a massive improvement.
After winning only one game in its first two years in the Essendon District Football League, the Thunder won four games and finished sixth on the ladder this season.
It’s a vast turnaround on its first two seasons; at the end of both, Thunder held the wooden spoon.
Club president Keith Osborne said it was good to have some stability at the club.
“Stability is something we didn’t have in first two years of the competition,” Osborne said.
“[Grey] changed the culture of the club, and we’re no longer the easybeats of the competition.
“It was the highest finish for our senior team in three years, and our under-18.5s only missed finals by a game.
“Some of those under-18.5 guys will start making their way into the senior side next year,” Osborne said.
Re-signing Grey hasn’t been the only pen to paper for the club in the offseason.
Reserves’ coach Mark Doherty and under-18.5 coach Daryl Cartwright will also continue in their roles.
Thunder best and fairest winner Kamen Ogilvie will remain with the Thunder, despite interest from other clubs.
Jason King, who finished second in the best and fairest, only three votes behind Ogilvie, has re-signed as well, as has Matt Reiffel.
Ogilvie, who finished fourth in the EDFL division 2 best and fairest award, and Ash Fleming were named in the EDFL division 2 team of the year on Saturday night.
Thomas Cree finished runner-up in the EDFL division 2 under-18.5 best and fairest award.
Osborne said the club was already speaking to players about joining it next year.
Off-field, Osborne, who is overall club president, will take on the role of senior football president, while former senior president Anthony Blight is now junior president and will oversee the junior program.
“With the juniors, we’re going to have an under-eight program, which the EDFL does have” Osborne said.
“We’ll also have a summer kick program to keep kids playing football.
“We are taking the right steps … we are looking for people to step up and coach the junior sides now.”
Osborne said the club was already looking forward to next year’s competition.
“We are striving to play finals for the first time in the club’s history next season,” he said.
For junior coaching details, contact 0419 511 721
