By JARROD POTTER
THE need for a full-time coach has brought a former Scorpion back to the fold.
Former AFL player Justin Plapp, 37, has taken the reins of the Casey Scorpions VFL team after head coach Rohan Welsh was not offered an extension to his two seasons at Casey Fields.
Melbourne Football Club and Casey Scorpions confirmed Plapp’s coaching appointment on Wednesday as the Demons decided to make the Casey senior coaching position into a full-time role with additional AFL development coaching duties.
Plapp’s connection to the club goes back to his playing days as a former Springvale Scorpion in the early 2000s during the club’s St Kilda alignment.
Casey Scorpions general manager Matthew Young said Plapp’s coaching history – both in the VFL and TAC Cup – made him an ideal candidate for the Scorpions’ top job.
“He’s been in the system – coached VFL at the development level – understands how it all works and has been with the Dragons in the TAC Cup for the last three years and has great coaching attributes,” Young said.
“He was also former player- back when we were at Springvale Road – so there’s a bit of a connection there.
“With the last three years with a part-time coach, that worked well for us as a footy club, but we understand as an aligned partner (to Melbourne FC) we need to take into consideration their coaching requirements.
“We’re excited by the appointment and getting a full-time coach who will be able to spend a lot more time one-on-one with the playing group and not only our guys but also the Melbourne-listed players.”
The club wished Rohan Welsh the best in his coaching future after the Scorpions and Demons decided to appoint Plapp for the 2015 season.
“Woosha (Welsh) was looked at for the role – it went to part time to full time and we went to interview coaches and Melbourne’s preferred candidate was Justin,” Young said.
“We understand with Rohan it will be difficult with him with his commitments and we wish him the best.”
Plapp’s post-AFL time took him back home to Tasmania, playing for the Tasmanian Devils VFL team and the Burnie Dockers in the TSL before returning to Victoria to coach the Sandringham Dragons in the TAC Cup for three years.
Plapp will be Casey’s first full-time coach in three seasons, the first since Brad Gotch in 2011.
Casey Scorpions finished 15th in the VFL this season with a five-win, 13-loss record.
