MINYIP-MURTOA senior coach John Delahunty is stepping aside after three years in charge of the Burras.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Speaking to the Wimmera Mail-Times, Delahunty said he was leaving on a high and the timing was right.
"I've been a coach, assistant coach or captain for almost a decade," he said.
"The last few years have been quite challenging... I always think the playing group likes to hear from a fresh voice every couple of years."
Delahunty will relinquish the role with a win-loss ratio the envy of any coach; having gone undefeated in 2019 and dropping just one game - a one point loss to the Southern Mallee Giants - in 2021.
"It didn't really bother me at the time, but that one point loss may come back to haunt me!" Delahunty joked.
READ MORE:
While the 2019 premiership is the biggest highlight of his time as coach, Delahunty said he was also extremely proud of the Burras' continual development.
"Seeing the development of so many players, particularly the younger guys coming up through the ranks, has been absolutely fantastic," he said.
Despite a glittering record and the leadership he showed during some of the most tumultuous years in league history under COVID-19, senior coaching wasn't always a sure thing for Delahunty.
"I was encouraged to put my hand up by an uncle of mine at the end of 2018," he said.
"I did need that push, even though I was already an assistant coach at the time."
However, Delahunty soon came into his own and flourished in the role, which included a nomination for Victorian Coach of the Year in 2019.
Delahunty praised everyone behind the scenes at Minyip-Murtoa, and noted that none of the success they'd achieved came from him alone.
"Having clear people to answer to in all areas of the club and the coaching panel we've had over the last three years has been fantastic, in terms of sharing the load," he said.
"It certainly makes it easier when you've got such a well-run club behind you."
MORE NEWS:
According to Delahunty he's learned a lot during his time in the role.
"You pick up skills along the way and I certainly have a greater appreciation of how things are done behind the scenes."
Ever humble, Delahunty isn't sure what made him uniquely suited to the coaching role.
"I've always been comfortable enough talking in front of the playing group and other clubs," he said.
"I'm very passionate and competitive; time management's another big skill you need."
"I guess it's a great role for a farmer; we've got time sitting in a tractor or in a ute driving around the district to make phone calls and interact with the people that you need to."
Adaptability was another key piece of the puzzle; after being undefeated in 2019 and having a year off, the Burras faced some challenges during the 2021 season.
OTHER NEWS:
"We had a couple of good turnarounds this year, such as the Saints game and (second) Giants game," Delahunty said.
"Whereas in 2019, we had a lot of games won by halftime; this year was about tinkering with positional changes and, as a coaching group, identifying elements of our game that weren't working and rectifying them."
"I can't take all the credit for that, the players do the heavy lifting... it just goes to show the strength of the side."
Such strength, that Delahunty feels confident he's leaving the side in the capable hands of assistant coach Tim Mackenzie.
"He's passionate and enthusiastic and will be great in the role," he said.
Although he's stepping down as coach, Delahunty said he will keep playing for as long as he can and has no plans of hanging up the boots just yet.
"I'm really looking forward to having a backseat and just playing football again," he said.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark www.mailtimes.com.au/
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/Wim_Mail_Times
- Follow us on Instagram www.instagram.com/wimmeramailtimes/