By Tara Murray
Hillside didn’t have to look far to find a new coach for next year’s Essendon District Football League division 1 season.
The club announced on Sunday that assistant coach Charlie Denaro would be the man to replace Steve Burns, who decided to step away from coaching.
Denaro, who has previously coached the club’s under-18s, has been an assistant coach under Burns the past three years.
He said it was exciting to get the opportunity. He said his appointment would allow the club to continue with the process they’ve put in place the past few years.
“I’m stoked, it’s something I’ve wanted to do for a long time,” he said. “To get the opportunity, it’s an incredible opportunity.
“The last 15 years, I coached at Hillside or coached against them. I know what they can and can’t do. I know the strengths and weaknesses and we’ll work hard to continue the development of the playing list.”
Denaro has coached several of the group at under-18 level, where he coached back-to-back premierships.
He said while they have a young list, he was keen not to focus on that.
“I coached some three to four years ago in the younger age group, they are at a different level now and they are more advanced,” he said. “Once they cross the line I don’t gauge them as young players.”
Denaro said they were disappointed not to make finals this season, having dropped some matches they had expected to win.
For him, it’s about getting back into that top four.
“We are completely different coaches and I’ll take his [Burns’] hard work and capitalise on it.
“The last few years have been good for the club. We’re looking for improvement and a minimum one better and into the four.”
Denaro has been busily part of the process to get some new players into the side. He said things should work smoother now with possible recruits knowing who the coach is.
“The club has been working hard behind the scenes and trying to get the ball rolling.
“The next week or two we’ll look to secure a few players to fill roles.
“The club is in a good position, even prior to my appointment.
“The last three days since the appointment, a lot of action has happened.”
The Sharks, though, will be without two of their stars, with Victor Micallef and Brandon Coletta both on the move to fellow division 1 club East Keilor.
Denaro said you never want to loss players of their calibre.
“They were our captain and vice-captain,” he said. “You don’t replace players like them, you just have to get on with it.
“They are Hillside people and we would rather keep them, but we send them off with nothing but best wishes.”
