By DAVID NAGEL
CRANBOURNE Football Club can finally put the controversies of 2013 behind it after the appointment of Scott Sutherland as its senior coach for 2014.
The Eagles caused a stir back on August 1 when incumbent coach Doug Koop was informed his contract would not be re-negotiated for next season, despite the Eagles being well positioned for a tilt at this year’s premiership.
The Eagles went on to lose a thrilling grand final to red-hot premiership fancies Narre Warren, the Magpies victorious after kicking a point with the last kick of the season.
Sutherland brings a strong football background to the Eagles, having played 155 VFA/VFL senior games at the Springvale Scorpions Football Club, winning three senior premierships in that time, capped by being a VFL Team of the Year representative in 2000.
Sutherland joined Beaconsfield in 2001 as a playing assistant-coach, that year playing in a premiership and winning the clubs’ senior best-and-fairest award, in the club’s last year in the West Gippsland League.
In 2002, Sutherland took on the playing-coach role at Beaconsfield in its inaugural year in the MPNFL competition. He returned to the VFL in an assistant-coaching role for the Springvale Football Club reserves team. Between 2008 and 2010, Scott coached the Beaconsfield Super Rules side and was assistant-coach between 2011 and 2013.
“We are delighted that Scott has joined our club and believe he is the right person to continue in developing our players and maintaining the standards that have been set in the past,” outgoing Cranbourne president Gerry Kelly said.
“We are excited about the future of the club and the possibilities this new appointment brings.”
Football director Shane Baker added: “Scott performed brilliantly in the interview process, demonstrating his understanding of the game and his thorough knowledge of the strengths of the current playing group was evident”.
“He is keen to focus on improving fitness, defensive structures and pressure possession control.”
Sutherland was introduced to the Eagles’ faithful at a ‘meet the coach’ function held at the Cranbourne Racecourse last night.
