Lancefield has turned to a former coach in its bid to improve its Riddell District Football League fortunes.
The club last week announced Chris Collins would return to the club as playing coach for next year.
It will be the second time Collins has taken the coaching reins at the club following his tenure in 2007 and ’08 when he was a 20-year-old.
Collins, who stepped away from the club for the past three years due to other commitments, said he always thought he would become involved with the club once more.
He replaces Cameron Wight as coach, who stepped into the role after Ash Manning resigned early in the 2017 season.
“I’m really happy to be back … I’ve been thrown in the deep end,” Collins said. “I always knew I would come back at some time – I just didn’t think it would be as coach.
“The club needs a little bit of help and I’m happy to put my hand up to help turn the club around. Everyone is giving it a crack.
“The young guys need to have the club around so they have somewhere to go.”
Collins, who is a Lancefield local, said the response from within the club and local community had been great.
But he knows he doesn’t have an easy job ahead of him.
The Tigers finished with two wins this year – both against sides that finished below them on the table.
“We’re in a similar position to back when I first took over,” Collins said. “I’m not daunted by it – I’m excited by it.”
One of Collins’ first tasks is trying to retain this year’s playing group.
He said most players had indicated they were likely to return.
Brett Pitts is one out – he’s been appointed Hadfield coach, while Melton South has announced Lancefield best-and-fairest winner James Wooster would be joining it.
“We’re confident we can turn things around, but we’re not going to get ahead of ourselves,” Collins said.
“The first step is to change the culture of the club … things weren’t working the way they were.
“The main objective is to get all the current players signed up. We’re also talking to a few guys. The only way is up for us.”
In a big bonus for the club, the Tigers look set to field an under-19 team next season for the first time since 2013.
Collins said it was important for the club to provide a pathway for players.
“It’s looking really positive under [under-19 coach] Brad Wight,” he said.
“We’ve got almost 20 guys. It’s important to get that side up and have sides from juniors all the way through to seniors.
“We have to get that right in the next few years.”
The appointment of Collins leaves Macedon as the only Riddell District Football League club without a senior coach for the 2018
season.
