From the Ballarat Courier
Reported by Melanie Whelan
Full article - Click here
LEGENDARY VFL coach Gerard FitzGerald will not be reappointed at the Roosters’ helm.
North Ballarat Roosters tonight released a statement via social media that the board would not extend FitzGerald’s contract, which ends this season.
“This decision sends a message of change within the club for its next stage of development as it enters the VFL as a standalone team in 2016,” the statement read.
“The board continues to review the organisation's football structure to ensure that the club is well positioned for sustained success in the VFL. The board believes that these changes will be necessary to ensure that the club can be competitive in the ever evolving VFL landscape.”
Fitzgerald has agreed to coach out the season.
A legend. Pure and simple. Always made time to have a chat. Just a class act.
Big move from the Roosters.
Hopefully Gerald Fitzgerald won't be lost to the VFL.
Mmmmm, seems my source was on the money, he said this would happen
I just hope they have a good plan, not just some new people saying 'we need to change things', not renewing the coach and then trying to figure out what to do next. If you're getting rid of an incumbent with five GFs in 14 years, you'd want to be sure you're replacing him with something better, especially given the challenges next year will bring.
Bad decision. Can't imagine anyone better than Fitzy for footy in Ballarat.
GFG - a true VFL legend. Would have thought he'd be the ideal person to rebuild them. Tough decision for the club no doubt, but at least it has been handled well and Gerald will leave with his dignity intact.
Fitzy's a legend both on and off the field. Great record.
Fitzy's record is outstanding. What are the roosters thinking ?
They would want to have a very good replacement as coach.
If it aint broken why fix it. Would not be surprised to see North Ballarat finish this season full of running as the players will no doubt play for the legendary coach.
In reply to Mmmmm, seems my source was on by Wally from Wil…
Wally from Williamstown wrote
It's no surprise to anyone up here Wal !!
It was common knowledge to all & sundry connected with the club that it was the inevitable decision from a few months back.
In reply to GFG - a true VFL legend. by Bearsman
Bearsman,
It was NOT handled well at all.
This decision was the most disgraceful gutless decision & the greatest dog act in the history of the North Ballarat Football Club.
The decision was not related to football, but a personal vendetta by a handful of rednecks now on the board that are trying desperately to rid the Roosters from the VFL & saw Fitzy as the best place to start.
At last nights meeting with stakeholders the new board outlined the club's future with the continuation in the VFL along with the redevelopment of Eureka Stadium. So only time will tell, but the new board have broken the golden quality in football clubs......TRUST !!
In reply to Bearsman wrote:GFG - a true by digs
digs wrote:Bearsman wrote:GFG
Will the new board continue with the policy of not recruiting "AFL hacks"; if not, there might be an opportunity to entice Mick back to coach. (Ironic if that happened, the AFL coacching recored holder replaces the VFA/VFL recorded holder)
One from left field blackrocker Malthouse coaching North Ballarat ??
Another ex rooster Nick Maxwell is doing well with the Melbourne Storm off field.