By DAVID NAGEL
THE Officer Senior Football Club will host this year’s South East Football Netball League grand final.
And, it will also be looking for a new coach after incumbent Brad Jones told the club of his intention to step down at the end of the season.
Jones sat down with club president Barry O’Loughlin on Thursday night, informing him of his decision to step down after three years at the helm.
O’Loughlin said Jones would still be around the club next year and had full respect for his decision to step aside.
“Full credit to Brad, he came in at a difficult time for the club and made some promises, and he has achieved most of the things that he set out to do,” O’Loughlin said.
“Brad made an emotional speech to the players, you could hear a pin drop, and he’ll be sadly missed. We have the deepest regard for his efforts and he leaves the senior coaching position with no bad blood or animosity at all.”
O’Loughlin said Jones has committed to the club for next year, most likely in the form of a Football Operations role of some sort.
In better news for the club, SEFNL Operations Manager Sharlene Nation today (Friday 15 July) announced that the Officer Senior Football Club and ROC Netball Club would host the grand final for the second consecutive year.
Three clubs, the Kangaroos, Berwick and Pakenham made bids to host the biggest day of the season, the Kangaroos emerging victorious. SEFNL Leagues Manager Liz Triffitt said the decision was a straight forward one.
“The board was unanimous in its decision to award this year’s grand final to Officer/ROC based on the outstanding effort the club put into last year’s event,” Triffitt said.
“All the clubs picked up their game in regards to this year’s submissions, there was nothing much to separate them, but the board was really happy with last year’s event and we’re very happy to reward the club for its efforts.”
Triffitt said there were other key factors involved in the decision making process.
“The police were glowing in their debrief of last year’s grand final, saying things were very well organised and they were delighted with the traffic flow,” she said.
“Also, Officer doesn’t play at its home ground after August 6 (round 16) which gives us six weeks of preparation time to make sure everything is spot on for the day.”
2016 SEFNL FINALS SERIES
Qualifying Final: Saturday 27 August Edwin Flack Reserve, Berwick
Elimination Final: Sunday 28 August Holm Park Reserve, Beaconsfield
Second Semi-Final: Saturday 3 September Toomuc Reserve, Pakenham
First Semi-Final: Sunday 4 September Edwin Flack Reserve, Berwick
Preliminary Final: Saturday 10 September Holm Park Reserve, Beaconsfield
Grand Final: Saturday 17 September Officer Recreation Reserve
