The EDFL is pleased to announce Austinn “Aussie” Jones will coach its senior Interleague team this season in the Worksafe VCFL championships. The former StKilda star has coached Narre Warren to two premierships, Gippsland Power in the TAC Cup and over the last two years Bendigo in the VFL and is likewise ecstatic with his appointment.
“Delighted to be asked and really excited to be involved,” said Jones, who over summer was also appointed director of coaching at Cora Lynn the 2014 West Division Premiers. He was lured to the Cobras through its current coach Travis Marsham whom he worked alongside at Gippsland Power.
After a chat to the league executive this week Jones gave a strong hint the players that are keen to play will be at the forefront of selection as he intends to build a side around culture and spirit.
The EDFL currently ranked at 24th will play against the 23th ranked Maryborough Castlemaine District league this year in Maryborough. The league will head into the game after making progress up the VCFL rankings table with big victories over the Alberton league in 2013 and the Mid Gippsland league in 2014.
The league is happy to hear from Jones that he wants to embark on a three year plan with the ambition to get the league into the top twenty in the state.
While not aware of all the prime movers in the league Jones said he has a number of mates playing in the league and is well aware the EDFL have plenty of good midfielders that he believes will complement both his coaching tactics and the five on the interchange bench agreed to by both leagues for the VCFL match.
Jones said he was a big supporter of country football, “any footballer should relish the opportunity to test themselves at a higher level. It is important for a player’s development the need to play against the best at another level. I would expect when the players return to their club they will be better for interleague experience.”
Despite impressive victories in successive seasons Jones said it is important to respect the opposition and warned that the Maryborough Castlemaine league have plenty of good footballers something he witnessed first-hand when he played his last game of senior football for Campbell’s Creek one of 14 teams in the MCFNL.
Last Modified on 13/02/2015 09:26
