CALIVIL United’s 2017 premiership coach Anthony Dennis has confirmed he will step down at the end of the Demons’ season.
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Dennis took over the reins from former coach Andrew Freemantle at the end of the 2015 season and led the Demons to their first flag in nine years.
He cited added family and work commitments as reasons for his decision.
“I have a young kid coming along, due at the end of September, and work commitments – I work split shifts, so one week I’m on mornings, the other week I’m on afternoons,” Dennis said.
“It’s getting a bit too hard to juggle.”
But the 26-year-old former Bendigo Pioneers best and fairest will not be lost entirely to Calivil United.
He intends to continue playing and will be heavily involved in the search for his replacement.
Dennis, who earlier this season led the Loddon Valley to an inter-league win against Golden Rivers in the league’s return to representative football, said it went without saying the Demons’ premiership defence had gone far from expected, but believed his side had its chances to make more of an impression.
“We’ve lost four games by under 10 points, which has really hurt,” he said.
“If we win those we’re sitting third right now – that’s football.
“We’ve had some injuries throughout the year, but haven’t really played to our full potential, including letting those close games slip.”
Calivil United retains an ‘outside’ chance of qualifying for finals, but would need bottom-side Inglewood to defeat fifth placed Mitiamo, or a massive victory against Bears Lagoon-Serpentine, in the event of a Superoos win.
The Demons trail the third-placed Bears by four points and nearly 15 per cent.
“There’s always a chance, but we need to more focus on playing good consistent football – it’s something we’ve struggled with in the last four weeks,” he said.
“We’ve floated in and out of games; play 10 minutes here and 10 minutes there.
“As you can see that doesn’t win you games.”
Dennis, a Calivil born-and-bred footballer, who returned to the Demons in 2012 following stints with the Pioneers and BFNL club Eaglehawk, insisted the future was bright for whoever inherited the coaching reins.
“We’re still a young group out at Calivil – I think the average age is younger than it was last year, sitting around the 21-22 (years-old) mark.
“It’s all about adding a few new players to the mix and the sky is the limit.”
“We’ve touched base with a few (potential coaches, it’s just getting the right bloke for Calivil.
“You can buy people and coaches in who don’t fit the mould and culture, but we are looking for the best guy going forward, whether it’s a playing or non-playing coach.
“Calivil prides itself on community and its family culture; getting a coach with similar values is very important.”
Calivil United’s 2017 premiership triumph was the club’s first since their then record-breaking sixth flag in a row in 2008.
The Demons are also seeking expressions of interest in their reserves football and A-grade, B-grade, C-grade, C-reserve and 17-and-under netball coaching positions.
Interested people can call club president Glen Scholtes on 0423 654 254, or email calivilufnc@gmail.com
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