In November of 2015 Primmer was appointed the new coach of Sandhurst at a time when the Dragons were coming off two grand final appearances in a row and in a strong position to contend again.

Now Primer takes the reins at Heathcote at a time in which the Saints haven’t played Heathcote District league finals since 2013 and have won just 14 of 80 games over the past five seasons.

“I’m really looking forward to it. Most of the coaching jobs I’ve had over the course of my time have been with clubs that are down the bottom, so it’s something I’m used to,” Primmer said on Wednesday.

“There’s always pressure on any coach, but probably not as much on me as when I went to Sandhurst.

“I felt at Sandhurst I was on a bit of a hiding to nothing because if I came in and we didn’t make the grand final… what’s everyone then going to say.”

Primmer spent two seasons coaching Sandhurst, which included leading the Dragons to the 2016 premiership when they defeated arch-rivals Golden Square in the grand final.

Primmer takes over at Heathcote following Luke Bell’s two-season stint as coach.

The Saints finished eighth this year with a 3-13 record.

Whereas there was an expectation of keeping the Dragons as a premiership contender when Primmer took on the Sandhurst job, at Heathcote it’s essentially a case of the only way is up.

“The people at the club are all very positive and are prepared to do as much as they can to help the club,” Primmer said.

“But they are also all realistic in where the club is at and where it wants to get to.

“They think I can help, I think I can help them, but the proof will be in the pudding.

“They only won three games this year, so the goals we’ll be setting for a start will be to try to win twice as many… if we could get to six wins next year that would be some good improvement.”

The Saints have signed Primmer as coach for the next two years.

“I’m going out there to meet the players tonight and from what I’ve been told so far is the majority of players are keen to stay,” Primmer said.

“Those that are 50-50, the end decision will be theirs, but I’ll commit myself to work with the people who want to be there and we’ll try to get some recruits in to help us get to where we want to.”

Primmer has had a lengthy coaching career that began in 1981 at Lalbert.

Primmer played 40 VFL games with Essendon from 1977 to 1979.

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