OM'S TO START AFRESH
To say 2011 was disappointing is a great understatement. Despite high hopes and a great list, we never put it all together, and finished in 9th place. All the hard work must now start again to rebuild the club for the success that is expected. In assessing the performance of the whole club, a review of the football department was recently undertaken and recommended a range of sweeping changes that needed to be introduced. A subcommittee led by Roger Ellingworth (Coach of our 1994 A Grade premiership) and Jeremy Nichols (Captain of that same side) met to assess options for how we best make these changes.
The Board accepted a recommendation that a new leader was required, and is pleased to announce that Nathan Brown has accepted an offer to coach the OMFC.
Nathan is a 35 year old South Australian who played 146 games for the Melbourne Football club, kicking 36 goals from 1998 until retiring in 2007. Playing under Neale Daniher, Nathan had a decorated playing career, and became known for his gut running and attack on the footy in both the backline and midfield, whilst his goals showed that he was no stranger to the forward line either. He played in Melbourne's 2000 Grand Final side, and was runner up in the club's 2004 Best & Fairest competition, and also finished 4th in 2002. In 2008 he captained SANFL side West Adelaide and worked closely with their coach, former Hawthorn Premiership Player Andy Collins, before playing for Old Scotch in 2009. In 2010 Nathan played for the Shepparton Swans with former Demons’ teammates including Adem Yze, Russell Robertson and Shane Woewodin. Nathan was appointed Senior Coach at the Cheltenham Football Club in the Premier Division of the Southern Football League in 2011 where he led them from a lowly ladder position in 2010 to the finals in 2011.
Nathan brings to the OMs an excellent knowledge of the game as a player and more recently as a coach, with an infectious enthusiasm. He is married and has three young sons. The OMs welcome him to the Dark Blue fold and wish him all the best as he endeavours to return the OMs to their rightful place in Premier A.
The OMs also wish to thank 2011 Senior coach David Landrigan for his season as coach in what were the most difficult of circumstances for the club in recent history. David brought to the OMs an exemplary playing history as a multiple premiership player in A Grade with the Old Xaverians, and, more recently, VAFA coaching experience at different levels. He also brought with him his father Terry, the most dynamic of football administrators seen at the OMs in recent times. The OMs wish these two great blokes all the best for their continuing involvement in Amateur football.