Ballan has appointed Tristan Batten as its new senior coach.
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Batten has played much of his football with Melton, having a three-year stint at Ballan between 2009-11, before returning in recent years.
The 32-year-old said he fell in love with the town when he first played there and consequently moved there 18 months ago.
Coaching has always been something Batten has wanted to do, coaching Melton’s reserves in 2016.
The return to the Blues has given him that opportunity to pursue coaching and he was exciting to develop the side and build towards the 2019 Central Highlands Football League season.
“Like every new coach, I’ve got a heap of ideas in my head, it’s just about putting them in place,” Batten said.
“I love the town, everyone gets involved, that one-club town atmosphere.”
Batten said it was a massive advantage to already have a sound understanding of the playing group.
He said the majority of the list had signed on, which he felt would allow the club to hit the ground running next season.
“It was good going back for the year, I’ve got a good bond with all the guys and I know how everything is working, it’s not like I have to start all over again.
“We’re pretty much going to have the same team…so it’s just about building in the areas we need to.”
Ballan won six games last season, finishing eleventh on the ladder.
The Blues lost five games by under 20 points, leaving Batten confident that this group is not too far away from giving the top eight a shake.
Batten said the initial plan would be for him to coach from the sidelines, but there is the potential for him to pull on the boots in some capacity if the appropriate support on the bench can be obtained.
“When you lose those close games it can just be a matter of making those calls at the right time and it’s a bit hard when you’re playing.”
Batten replaces Jason McNamara, who is weighing up his playing future.