Tathra Sea Eagles Aussie rules coach Luke Taylor is handing the reins to good mate Ryan “Reggie” O’Loghlin this year.
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Taylor said that O’Loghlin is a “club great” and would be a fantastic addition to the senior leadership team for the upcoming season.
“It was time for a change,” explained Taylor, who said his time had come to step aside for the benefit of the team and welcome some new blood to the role.
O’Loghlin said that Taylor had approached him with the idea.
“He said I should give it some thought and I figured it could be a good idea,” O’Loghlin said.
“It is really good and will tick another box off the list as well as hopefully get some of the boys back together.”
Taylor, the 2013 Sapphire Coast AFL (SCAFL) Coach of the Year, had initially signed on for a two-year deal after leading the squad to an undefeated season in 2013.
However, due to the rocky start in the season just gone, Taylor said it was in the club’s best interest to bring someone fresh to role and was delighted to name O’Loghlin as his successor.
“I just want to make it clear that this decision was made for the better of the Tathra Sea Eagles future,” Taylor said.
“I just want to win and I think with a new voice and some new ideas from a player as respected as Reggie will bring some new life to the group.”
O’Loghlin is already recognised as a leader within the Sea Eagles and controls the squad with enthusiasm from the front lines.
Taylor said the change could see a stronger roster for the Eagles in 2015.
“Hopefully it will revive our playing list so we can compete for another premiership, because that is what it’s all about,” he said.
There is no denying the new coach’s experience either, O’Loghlin has more than 150 senior games under his belt and scored over 600 goals.
He has been with the Sea Eagles for five senior premierships and won the club’s goal kicking award on six occasions.
Taylor hoped O’Loghlin could add premiership coaching to his already impressive resume.
Knowing everyone’s strengths and weaknesses, O’Loghlin said he would mix up his coaching style a bit and target the offensive players.
“We will probably go after a very attacking style of football,” O’Loghlin said.
However, he will still look to the same club regulars for their leadership and support in key roles including Kevin May, Taylor and Brad McBain.
The club is already looking forward to the upcoming season, and Taylor said there could be enough in the works to host both senior grades.
“I'm confident that things will be a bit different this up and coming season, and at this stage we are all pretty confident that we will fill two really competetive senior teams,” Taylor said.
“We had the opportunity to blood a heap of young talent last season and I think that this is only going to help this year.”
There are rumours the club is in talks with a number of previous premiership players, but Taylor and O’Loghlin are staying tight-lipped.
“Reggie and I have been working pretty hard to get a few blokes back, but I am just stoked for Reggie to get his chance to coach this great club,” Taylor said.
Meanwhile, O’Loghlin was waiting for pre-season to announce anything.
“It’s all pretty under wraps at the moment, we’ll wait until the new year I suppose,” he said.
In the leadup to the new season Taylor was full of praise for the new coach.
“Ryan is definitely one of the best players that I have played with in my time and I can’t wait to see him in action, I think he will be really good for the group,” Taylor said.
The Sea Eagles will launch their campaign on the morning of the annual Christmas party, which will be held at the Tathra Beach Bowling Club on December 14.
The party will start at 11am after a light one-hour training session.
The venue for the training is yet to be announced.
The club invites all supporters and sponsors to head along, there will be a jumping castle and the big red man will be making an appearance.