Winchelsea has turned to former GFNL and VFL star Ben Moloney to fill its vacant coaching role.
Moloney, unveiled as the Blues’ new non-playing mentor tonight (Thursday) at Eastern Reserve, replaces caretaker coach Brendan Forssman, who stepped in on the eve of the season following the sudden departure of Christian Shaw.
President Daniel Greskie was “over the moon” after securing his signature.
“When the phone ran this afternoon, I couldn’t take the smile off my face,” Greskie said.
“To have someone with his footy background as a player and now getting into coaching, it’s a very, very exciting time for our club.”
GDFNL: AT SELECTION – ROUND 16
A product of Kolora-Noorat in the Warrnambool and District League, Moloney joined Werribee after graduating from the Geelong Falcons.
However, it was a Collingwood he became a regular VFL player, making 74 appearances.
Moloney joined Geelong in 2017 before rounding out his state league career with the Tigers the following year.
He was aligned to St Joseph’s from 2014-18, appearing in their 2017 grand final win over St Mary’s.
Moloney moved to the Saints as an assistant coach in 2019 and played in the Saints’ premierships either side of the Covid-impacted seasons, winning the best-on-ground medal in 2019.
He finished his playing career with Kolora-Noorat last year.
Greskie says the timing of Moloney’s appointment is crucial, with just three rounds remaining in the GDFNL season.
“It helps us with player retention knowing our coach before we finish up,” he said.
“After Round 18, players go off and do other things. Having a coach locked away makes it easier for the players to say, “Yep. We’re on board”.
“If you don’t have a coach and you’re going into the off-season, some players will hold off and wait for an announcement, and the next minute they’re available, and clubs know that.
“Now, it’s important to start locking away players for next year, and this will make it a lot more easier for us.”
Greskie said the length of the contract will be confirmed in the coming days.
X: @krockfootball
