ANTHONY Eames has been appointed coach of the Western Region Football League’s Interleague team for 2016.
Eames was named senior coach of the representative side, replacing Brett Jacobs who has been at the helm for the past two years.
Despite not being re-appointed in the top job, Jacobs will still play a role in the WRFL’s Interleague program as an assistant coach.
WRFL Football Operations general manager David Newton says the league wanted to take a fresh approach when it came to the coaching position, but said Jacobs still had a vital role to play in the Interleague team.
“Brett’s experience over the past two years will play a huge role in helping to guide and support the team next year,” he said.
Eames said he was looking forward to working with some of the WRFL’s best players.
“I got the phone call a week ago and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about the team since,” he said.
“Coaching this team fits into my work commitments perfectly, so I am wrapt to be involved.
“I played all my junior footy in the western suburbs and I have always had a strong belief the Western Region Football League could compete with most local competitions.
“There is an immense amount of talent in the league.
“I am excited to be able to have the chance to bring it all together.”
The Interleague honour adds to Eames’ growing list of football achievements.
He won the J.J Liston Trophy medal in 1991, was a VFL state representative player in 1992 and 1994 and was named in the VFL Team of the Year on two occasions.
After playing senior footy for Werribee, Williamstown and Norwood in South Australia, Eames turned his attention to coaching.
He coached Williamstown’s development team for six years, leading them to five grand final appearances winning three premierships.
In 2012, Eames coached the Vikings to their first Division 1 WRFL flag after defeating Spotswood by one point.
After taking a year off in 2014, Eames returned to coaching in an assistant capacity this year.
He worked alongside senior coach Saade Ghazi at Avondale Heights in the Essendon District Football League.
WRFL chairman of selectors Steve Thom said Eames’ coaching and playing experience would add a different dimension to the team next year.
“He will be a breath of fresh air, bring plenty of enthusiasm and some new ideas for the playing group,” he said.
Thom said the WRFL needed to redeem themselves after the league lost to the Eastern Football League by 34-points in the Metro Championships this year.
“We have a new challenge, we have to prove to ourselves and to everyone outside the competition that we are one of the strongest metropolitan leagues,” he said.
“We will continue to build both on and off the ground and show that the WRFL is a proud and passionate competition.”
Eames said he and his assistants would put together a team that would give the WRFL the best chance of defeating Ballarat.
“Ballarat is one of the stronger regional leagues in Victoria, so I am really looking forward to the challenge,” he said.
“Whoever comes on board has to be up for the challenge and give their all for the competition and hopefully we can produce the best football we can.”
Last month a new Interleague format was revealed, which will see metropolitan and country leagues playing against each other for the first time.
In 2016 the overhauled model, the WorkSafe AFL Victoria Community Championships, will see leagues across the state go head-to-head in 2016.
The Interleague match between the WRFL and the Ballart FNL will be held on the weekend of May 21 and 22.
Discussions surrounding where the game will be played are continuing.
More announcements regarding the WRFL’s Interleague campaign will be made after Christmas.
Last Modified on 04/12/2015 10:55