CARNGHAM-LINTON and Skipton have joined the hunt for a senior coach.
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Jamie Briody has informed the Saints that he will step down from the helm following Saturday’s final-round clash against Ballan, while the Emus are looking for a replacement for Matt Rea, who has called it a day and will depart following Saturday afternoon’s encounter with Learmonth.
Briody, who is about to complete the second season of a two-year deal, said he had enjoyed the role and believed the club was well on the way to putting in the structures and plans it needed for the future.
He was unable to take the senior side to a maiden Central Highlands Football League finals series, but remains pleased with how competitive it has become.
“I’m satisfied that we have gone out and become a competitive side. (We have) certainly gained a lot more respect from opposition teams and that’s what we aimed to do. Before that it was non-existent,” Briody said.
“We had four or five games that we lost by a kick, which is disappointing, but in saying that, last year we weren’t even in that area and weren’t that close.
“Credit to the younger players for how they have developed, listened and improved.”
The Emus are hopeful Rea remains at the club in a playing capacity and that they can also retain his wife Stacey, who is coach of the Skipton senior netball team.
Rea, who said he was unsure of his playing future, had mixed feelings about what he was able to do during his three years in charge, which failed to return a finals campaign.
“Last year we were reasonably happy with the progress we’d made, but this year I feel like we have gone backwards a step or two,” Rea said.
“The players are there, but we didn’t play to our potential unfortunately this season.
“We put ourselves in winning positions in enough games, but just didn’t finish the job.”
tim.oconnor@fairfaxmedia.com.au