It simply doesn’t get any bigger than this.
In arguably the biggest coaching appointment in local footy history, Balwyn will enter season 2018 led by none other than former Sydney Swans and Western Bulldogs coach, Rodney Eade.
Appointed in January, Eade’s senior AFL coaching career totalled 377 matches, beginning at the Sydney Swans in 1996, leading the club to a grand final in his first season at the helm.
PICTURE: Jerad Williams/Courier Mail
He subsequently coached the Western Bulldogs from 2005-2011, and the Gold Coast Suns from 2015-2017, also serving at Collingwood as football and coaching strategist from 2011 and director of football from mid-2013.
Eade played in four VFL premierships with Hawthorn during his 259-game playing career from 1976-1990.
Balwyn captain Rennie Gilchrist says Eade has slotted into the club seamlessly.
“It’s been a super pre-season, ‘Rocket’ has been a massive coup for the club,” Gilchrist said.
“He’s brought in some new ideas, and different strategies and tactics and just for him to share his experience has been great – we can’t wait to get into it tomorrow. “
Departing Cherry Road this off-season has been both Tom and Jonathan Simpkin (Colac), along with Jason Kennedy (East Burwood), John Meesen (Modewarre), Jarrad Wright (Park Orchards) and Danny Hughes (Wantirna South).
Despite the loss of premiership experience, Gilchrist has seen a host of new names enter the club which are expected to cover their loss.
Among the new faces include the ex-North Melbourne-listed Ayden Kennedy, who is expected to play a tall defender role, along with explosive midfielder and 2016 Chandler medallist Cam Manuel (Rowville) and livewire forward Charlie Haley (North Ringwood).
“Down back we’ve got Ayden Kennedy who comes from Box Hill via North Melbourne, who’s been really impressive,” he said.
“He struggled with an ankle injury early on but has been up and firing in the last few practice games which has been really good.
“Cam Manuel (Rowville), everyone knows him in the Eastern Football League, he’s an absolute superstar so personally and from a lot of the boys in the midfield, we’re really looking forward to playing with him.
“Charlie Haley up forward can hopefully snag a few goals and put on pressure up forward.
“We’ve got a few VFL blokes who have aligned with us as their local club which is also really exciting. Hopefully they can stay with us not just this year but in the years to come.”
Gilchrist can attest that the expectation leading into each season for Balwyn is finals, having won four premierships in the past five years.
“We don’t shy away from that – we accept the challenges and we understand that a lot of sides love playing and beating Balwyn, so every week’s a massive challenge,” Gilchrist said.
“We take it one week at a time trying to come up against each opponent – the expectation is to win and we want people who are up for that challenge and face it head on.
“Tomorrow we start with Vermont in the biggest challenge of the year.
“I’ve managed to get to every session since Christmas break, it’s been good – I’m feeling good, my mind feels good so I’m looking forward to the year ahead.”
It simply doesn’t get much bigger than the Balwyn-Vermont rivalry in the EFL, which Gilchrist says both teams lift for, regardless of ladder position.
“You need to (lift) because if you don’t, you get found out,” he said.
“It will be a finals-like game even though it is Round 1 so all the boys understand that.
“A lot of us have played against them before – it’s a really healthy rivalry, we respect the club and we know that they’ve been really successful in the past (and) the guys are really hungry for success as well.
“It’s going to be a great game played in good spirits and I’m sure we’ll meet throughout the year again as well, so whatever happens tomorrow will set either team up but it is a long season ahead as well.”
