Devon Meadows is looking to send coach Ryan Hendy off with a premiership after the respected coach announced that he will step down from the role following Saturday’s MPFNL Division 2 grand final.
Hendy has spent four years building the side up to what it has now become and while they go into the clash against Frankston Bombers as underdogs, he has helped this group to believe that they can make history.
“It’s been an emotional ride coaching for four years … I just know that I need a rest,” he said.
“I just remember when I played, if I had a coach for longer than four years, the message starts to get a little bit repetitive and it’s only fair to the group that I pass on the baton.
“We have a really good coach in waiting with Dean Kent (who is already co-coach).”
Hendy said it had been amazing to see the growth of the side over the past four years and hoped the team could cap it off with a fairytale finish, and the club’s first ever senior premiership.
“They hadn’t played finals in about 20 years when I got there and we have played finals every year since,” he said.
“We felt there was maybe a year or two in that four years where we possibly could’ve had a real chance, but we just didn’t put in the performances required to win a final.
“We have given ourselves the best chance this year and it would mean the world for me to finish off like that.”
Having a break from coaching was something that Hendy was looking forward to, which included putting more time into other things.
“I won’t say that I won’t coach again, I just need that year off to freshen up,” he said.
“I will be able to put a bit more time into my young fella who will be in the under-15s next year.”
