From Bayside Leader
SANDRINGHAM has parted ways with senior coach Brett Lovett.
In a surprise development last Friday, the Zebras told the former Melbourne star they were going back to a full-time coaching position, primarily to appease alignment partner St Kilda.
Lovett, one year into a two-year contract, was a part-time coach.
Sandy president Gerry Ryan and general manager John Mennie visited Lovett at his Mornington Peninsula nursery to deliver the news.
``It came as a shock considering we'd had the best and fairest the night before and we'd done all our reviews and were well into planning for next year,'' Lovett said on Saturday morning.
``The way they explained it, St Kilda approached them and said with Ross Lyon going they wanted to change the coaching structure and go full-time at VFL level.
``They (Ryan and Mennie) said I could put in for it and they would recommend I do it, but there were no guarantees and at the end of the day it would probably be up to the new St Kilda senior coach to decide. They knew I wasn't interested in a full-time role so that was the end of it.''
More at localfooty.com.au
In other news from Sandringham they have announced that to appease their alignment "partner" they will be known as the Sandringham Saints from 2012 and change their colours to black, red and white.
Of course I'm joking I hope it never comes to that for Sandy.
It is pretty rough to dump your coach based on what the AFL team wants.
Will this decision mean players will leave Sandy?
Magner,Lourey,Marigliani I expect will walk out due to it because of their Frankston connection and most probably others will too..hope I'm wrong
I'm guessing that St Kilda has already appointed a new coach and that having a f/t VFL coach was part of his requirements
The timing is poor particularly the day after the Best and Fairest
Really feel for Brett Lovett
If that happens then Sandy will need a new scoreboard operator.
I don't want this club ending up doing a Box Hill and selling their soul like they did...changing the jumper...changing the theme song...changing from Mustangs to Hawks
The situation will go back to how it was before last year...Andy Lovell was full time Sandy coach and assistant at St Kilda...Mark Williams had the same when at Melbourne
Sandy should me more focused on what's best for Sandy. Personally I think it's a little difficult to justify a full time position when your playing list is working 9 to 5. That said, if the club can afford it, then it's not going to hurt.
Rubbish talk of changing jumpers and theme song at Sandy. Only progressing back to full time coaching as Willbur was before so now a new full time coach again.
Who it is I have someone in mind but until it becomes official I can't say but it must and will help the Zebras next season.
Sorry for Brett as he was honest and gave as much as he could have with the players and time he had available.
I just hope whoever is appointed is done in conjunction with St Kilda and not a St Kilda only appointment
And maybe the new St Kilda coach will let the players who will be playing at Sandy, train at Sandy one night per week
You never know James Magner, Michael Lourey and Marcus Marigliani could all be headed back to Frankston. The dolphins will be keen to recruit heavily next season and they would not mind the trio of former dolphins heading back home. Time will tell. On the grapevine is that a few players from Box Hill are not too happy there and will cross over to Kars Street. We will have to wait for this and would be interested in seeing who Frankston pick up for 2012.
I would say Sandringham could lose some of it's VFL list which needs to get stronger and not rely on the saints. Much depends on the new coach and his approach.
Zebraman and Zebra any rumours on a new coach.
Well done to David Parke on his award. Put in the hard yards over many years.
Some of those players are still needed and under contract for next season but with a new coach things could change.
Thanks for your best wishes.