Peter Banfield resigned as Casey Scorpions coach last week after being told his position would be advertised. Picture: Meagan Rogers.By Marc McGowan
CASEY Scorpions’ coach of three seasons Peter Banfield has walked out in anger after the Victorian Football League club decided to advertise his position last week.
John Harrison, former chairman of the football executive and father of champion Scorpions midfielder Steven, also quit following the decision.
Casey has held discussions with its AFL affiliate St Kilda in recent weeks and together they chose to make the senior coaching post full-time.
The club reviews the coaching position annually but had not advertised Banfield’s position in his previous two seasons.
The Scorpions told Banfield, who led Casey to its first finals appearance in four years this season, that he would be on the short list of candidates if he was interested in applying.
But Banfield, 41, declined to go through the interview process and was disappointed he was not offered the job unchallenged.
“They either want me to coach or not to coach – I won’t be the benchmark for other coaches,” the physical education teacher at Aquinas College in Ringwood said.
“Honestly, some people forget, as I said to (Scorpions president) John Sharkie, what state the club was in when I took it over.
“I’m really proud of the work I’ve done and the opportunities I’ve given to the players.”
Casey general manager Brian Woodman explained that the club’s decision to test the market was due to the belief that prospective coaches may not have applied for the job in the past because of its part-time status.
He revealed that there had already been three expressions of interest for the vacant post, with applications closing on 3 October.
Candidates will then be subjected to an interview process, psychological testing and other forms of analysis.
The Scorpions hope to make a decision by the end of next month.
St Kilda will play a major role in deciding the incoming coach, with its general manager of football development, Tony Elshaug, and general manager, Ken Sheldon, expected to take part in the process.
“Peter resigned – it was a choice he’s made and it is always disappointing to lose good people in your organisation,” Elshaug said.
“He has made the decision to resign and now we have to move on with the business of running the football club in the best way possible.”
For Banfield, however, the push for a full-time coach has more to do with St Kilda acquiring greater control over Casey.
“From my point of view, I really looked after the culture and history of the club this year, even when there was pressure put on me to play more St Kilda players at various stages,” he said.
“I think it’s a given that St Kilda will be having a larger presence in the working of the club with a full-time coach.”
Harrison believes that Banfield deserved another year before the full-time role was introduced in 2009 and that it could have been handled better.
Banfield leaves the Scorpions with a record of 20 wins, 34 losses and one draw.
