EDITORIAL: KYNETON TAKES TOUGH STAND

NEW Kyneton coach Luke Beattie says he will aim to build on the foundations laid by Mark Adamson as the club continues to pursue a long-awaited Bendigo Football League finals berth.

The Tigers this week sacked Adamson as coach with four rounds remaining in the home and away season and Kyneton sitting a game clear in fifth spot as it chases its first finals appearance since 2003.

Kyneton president Rob Waters cited Adamson’s failure to attend a Sunday morning training session last weekend as the catalyst for the club’s decision to cut ties.

Beattie has been installed as Tigers coach in what’s a position he was keen to pursue next year after Adamson had already informed the club he wouldn’t be going on beyond 2015.

“It (disruption) has been minimal, and that’s credit to Addo and his coaching style in that the players understand the requirements of them and the gameplan that has been put in front of them, and the person who stands at the front and provides that direction and motivation is insignificant as far as the team is concerned,” Beattie said on Thursday.

“There will be a few changes as any coach has their focusses and KPIs for the team to achieve, but as far as laying a foundation for success, that has already been put in place and I’ll certainly try to maintain as much of the status quo as possible to minimise the disruption.

“Training was fantastic on Tuesday night and the boys have been very supportive of my appointment and it’s now all about moving forward to that goal of playing finals.

“Certainly, the circumstances are unique, but I’m fortunate to have played with the group the past two years and worked hard to develop an on-field leadership role and I’ve now got the chance to do so in a more formal role as coach.”

Beattie’s first game in charge of the Tigers shapes as a baptism of fire against undefeated Strathfieldsaye, which Kyneton has lost its past seven games against by an average of 112 points.

“Strathfieldsaye has shown its strength in the past couple of years, but from our point of view, the team did well for three quarters last week against Golden Square,” Beattie said.

“Our focus will be heavily on maintaining that standard and pressure for a greater period of time and should that happen… there’s two teams out on the field.”

Beattie, 37, won’t play for the Tigers in his first game as coach this weekend, but will return the following week against Castlemaine.

Beattie, who played in Kyneton’s 1997 premiership, previously coached Daylesford to a premiership in the Central Highlands Football League, while for the past five years he has been an assistant with the Victoria Country division two team.