JAMIE Bond has been reappointed Maryborough coach for the 2015 BFNL season.
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Bond and his former Magpie team-mate Glen Chadwick took over the reins as co-coaches for the 2014 season when the club was on its knees financially and lacking players to field senior, reserves and under-18 sides.
While Chadwick is yet to decide if he will go on in 2015, Bond can’t wait to build on a 2014 season that was full of encouragement for the Magpies.
“I really enjoyed the challenge, so I was keen to go on with it again,’’ Bond said.
“It was tough to start with, but the way the boys played was great.
“We probably should have won a couple more games at the start of the year.”
After being widely-tipped to go through the season without a win, the Magpies won five games and finished eighth on the BFNL ladder.
The 13-point win over Golden Square in round 15 was the highlight of the Magpies’ season.
Bond said the five wins in 2014 was a strong foundation to build from in 2015.
“We proved a lot of people wrong this year,’’ he said.
“The way we played has already helped us with recruiting. We’ve already spoken to a lot of players in the district leagues and the good thing is we’ve got players who want to come and do pre-season training with us.
“This time last year that wasn’t happening.”
Bond said the majority of the Magpies senior players would return for 2015.
Young gun Billy Mahony could try his luck with VFL club North Ballarat, but remain aligned with the Magpies.
“Our under-16s won the flag and only three of our under-18 players from this year have to go up next year,’’ Bond said.
“There’s some good kids coming through that we will give a chance to in the seniors.”