FOUR-TIME Gisborne premiership player Shane Davis is the new coach of Heathcote District Football League club Mount Pleasant.Davis takes over as Blues coach from Cameron Carter, who has spent the past four seasons at the helm of what is the most successful HDFL club with 19 premierships.The 27-year-old had spent the previous eight years with Gisborne and played in the Bulldogs’ 2002, ‘03, ‘05 and ‘06 Bendigo Football League premierships.“For the past 12 months I have been living up here in Bendigo and working, so with this it’s better than travelling (to Gisborne) and I can just stay up here and coach and have a go at it while I can,’’ Davis said yesterday.Davis was renowned as one of the most dangerous medium-sized forwards in the BFL in his time at Gisborne, while he was also capable of having major impacts through the midfield.And with the calibre of coaches he has played under in the past, he believes it will hold him in good stead as he prepares to lead the Blues in 2009.While at Gisborne, Davis spent time under Mick McGuane and Marcus Barham, he was coached by Leigh Colbert while playing for Victoria Country at the 2006 Australian Country Football Carnival on the Gold Coast and he spent a season in the Northern Territory playing for Nightcliff, coached by Michael McLean.“You can never get enough experience under blokes like that,’’ Davis said.“I have been lucky because not many players get the opportunity to play under those sort of coaches.’’Mount Pleasant, which has a major backer in the Bridge Hotel, was knocked out of the premiership race in the elimination final this year.The coaching situation at the other HDFL clubs:Broadford: The Roos, as they do every year, have advertised all three coaching positions. Chris Nolan has coached the club for the past two years and is weighing his options up for 2009. An announcement is expected within the week.However, the Roos could be playing in the Riddell District Football League next year.Colbinabbin: The Grasshoppers have reappointed Brent Millar, who led the club to the premiership in his first season at the helm this year.Elmore: With Tony Southcombe having stood down after his three years in charge, 2007 premiership captain and Sam Cheatley medallist Andy Grant will assume the reins of the Bloods.Heathcote: Alistair Meldrum will coach the Saints for a third season next year. In his two years coaching Heathcote, Meldrum has led the Saints into the first semi-final and the grand final, where they were beaten this year by Colbinabbin.Huntly: Former Geelong and Brisbane Bears’ player Shane Hamilton has been reappointed for a second season at Huntly.After winning no games in 2007, the Hawks won one game this year, but were a much more competitive side and unlucky not to win at least three.Lockington-Bamawm United: Rick Pritchett will coach the Cats for a second season in 2009, with gun on-baller Anthony Baker to be his assistant. In his first season this year, Pritchett improved the Cats from a side that won just four games in 2007 to a preliminary finalist in 2008.North Bendigo: The Bulldogs have advertised all three coaching positions, with an announcement expected by the end of next week. Mick Simpson, who has coached North Bendigo for the past three years, has reapplied.White Hills: Matt Sawyer will coach the Demons again in 2009. Sawyer took over as Demons coach after five rounds of the 2007 season and has guided the side to an 11-17 record while in charge.
