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READ MORE - LVFNL 2010-19 DECADE REVIEW - Inglewood
WITH his reappointment as senior coach at Inglewood confirmed for 2021, one of Darrell Billett's first priorities now is to secure a playing assistant.
Taking over from Ryan McNish, Billett returned to the helm as coach of Inglewood in November last year having previously led the club in the Loddon Valley league from 2006 to 2008.
Billett has a strong history with the club, being a member of both Inglewood's Team of the Century and its last senior premiership side in 1986.
However, Billett didn't get the chance to take charge of the Blues on game day this year with the 2020 LVFNL season cancelled in June due to the coronavirus pandemic.
"It would have been good for us to get part of a season in at least because we'd picked up some young kids and we were really looking forward to having a look at them," Billett said on Thursday.
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"We're out there looking to recruit again; we're chasing an assistant coach with a view of potentially taking over in a couple of years time if it works out.
"But we don't want to just jump at anyone, we want someone with some credibility to help us take that step in becoming much more competitive next year, which we think we can achieve.
"We're hopeful of landing a quality assistant and being able to pick up some other players as well.
"We're certainly not sitting on our heels and waiting for things to happen - we're actively getting around talking to people."
We're certainly not sitting on our heels and waiting for things to happen - we're actively getting around talking to people
- Darrell Billett - Inglewood coach
Had the 2020 season gone ahead - it would have been LVFNL grand final day this Saturday - Billett expected the Blues would have clearly fielded the youngest side in the competition.
"What we're trying to do is get as many young players as we can to build with," Billett said.
"The boys had put in a good pre-season and were only a week away from playing their first practice match when everything got put on hold, so that was disappointing for the players.
"But with what has happened, it has allowed the club to take stock and contact a lot of blokes and we certainly think we're in front of where we were last year."
The Blues have long battled in the Loddon Valley league, with their last senior finals appearance back in 2003, while they have claimed eight of the past nine wooden spoons.
But for Billett and the Blues, it's all about looking to the future.
"The club has some exciting young players that I'm looking forward to coaching next year," Billett said.
"Billy Ruff has played a senior game with Eaglehawk and is a real talent; Taj Rodwell is only 17 who we think can produce some good footy over the next few years.
"Cameron Martin impressed me on the track earlier in the year... he's only raw, but has a bit of size about him and Jasper McClelland is another who looks a good young player coming through."
Meanwhile, as well as reappointing Billett, the Blues have also confirmed Tegan Phillips will continue as their A and B Grade netball coach for the 2021 season.
50 MOST DOMINANT FLAG SEASONS IN BFL, HDFL, LVFL SINCE 1990
No. 1 - Golden Square 2011
No. 2 - Bridgewater 2014
No. 3 - Bridgewater 2016
No. 4 - Calivil United 2005
No. 5 - Calivil United 2004
No. 6 - Strathfieldsaye 2015
No. 7 - Heathcote 2010
No. 8 - South Bendigo 1993
No. 10 & 9 - Golden Square 2010; Strathfieldsaye 2019
No. 12 & 11 - Castlemaine 2000; Strathfieldsaye 2014
No. 14 & 13 - Leitchville-Gunbower 2017; South Bendigo 1991
No. 16 & 15 - Colbinabbin 1999; Mount Pleasant 1995
No. 18 & 17 - YCW 1997; Bridgewater 2015
No. 20 & 19 - Mount Pleasant 1997; Mount Pleasant 1993
No. 22 & 21 - Bridgewater 2010; Bridgewater 2011
No. 24 & 23 - LBU 2011; Colbinabbin 1998
No. 26 & 25 - Gisborne 2003; LBU 2013
No. 28 & 27 - Gisborne 2002; Colbinabbin 1991
No. 30 & 29 - Maryborough 1998; Gisborne 2005
No. 32 & 31 - South Bendigo 1994; Golden Square 2009
No. 34 & 33 - Castlemaine 1992; South Bendigo 1990
No. 36 & 35 - Mitiamo 1999; Sandhurst 2016
No. 38 & 37 - North Bendigo 2019; Leitchville-Gunbower 2018
No. 40 & 39 - Bridgewater 1991; Calivil United 2017
No. 42 & 41 - Heathcote 1992, Sandhurst 2004
No. 44 & 43 - Eaglehawk 2008, Elmore 2007
No. 46 & 45 - Mount Pleasant 1990, Newbridge 2018
No. 48 & 47 - Gisborne 2006, Calivil United 1990
No. 50 & 49 - Calivil United 2003, Eaglehawk 2018
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