Melton Centrals have made a shock coaching change after a disappointing Riddell District Football League season.
The Damien Zanic-led Centrals finished bottom in the coach’s first season at the club, but was expected to coach out the second year of his contract.
Centrals though have made the decision to replace Zanic with the experienced Ben Chapman.
Chapman has coached at several clubs across the Essendon District, Northern and Western football leagues.
Centrals footy director Grant Hardy said when the opportunity to get Chapman on board came up, it was too good to turn down.
“We had the opportunity to have a conversation with Ben and we owed it to the club, the players and the sponsors to at least have the conversation,” he said.
“He came highly regarded from some of the players who had played under him before.
“Damien was signed for two seasons but we felt like we were not heading in the right direction and had gone backwards.
“We decided to go down a different path.”
Hardy said that Chapman had been in high demand and they were lucky to get him on board.
Chapman last coached Sunshine last season before mutually stepping away during the premiership season, due to growing work commitments.
Hardy said Chapman’s work circumstances had changed and there was less travel, allowing him to commit more time to coaching.
One thing that stood out about Chapman was his experience coaching his own sides He said the way he connected with playing groups was something else that stood out.
“When you look at Damien he had some good experience at a high level as an assistant coach,” Hardy said.
“He had some good attributes but lacked that experience at senior level. Ben has coached at a very high level in the EDFL in division 1.
“He’s coached some high level athletes and we felt like he will be a coach that is a step above.”
Hardy said this season they were competitive in a lot of games but lacked depth to make it with the top sides.
He said injuries then hurt them even more with the side winning just two games for the season.
Hardy said there had been some excitement since the appointment of Chapman.
“We need to bolster our recruitment,” he said. “With Ben on board there’s been a little more traction and some opportunity to speak to players from outside the league.
“That is good for us.”
