By JACK PRATO
IF THERE was one phrase Wandin Football Club’s vice- president Robert Bayliss would use to describe the club’s situation, it’s ‘what doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger’.
After finishing fourth in 2012, third in 2013 and runners-up last year, Bayliss and his Wandin mates are excited over changes made in the 2014-15 off-season.
This includes appointing three new coaches, and the signing of new players, which could lead the club towards premiership success in the Yarra Valley Mountain District Football League.
Heading the new-look coaching panel at ‘the Kennel’ is Brett Fisher, a previous premiership coach at Seville and Silvan.
His most recent coaching role was at Mooroolbark Football Club, where he coached them to successive finals series.
Bayliss said Fisher would be a valuable acquisition.
“Brett has a wealth of experience in football,” Bayliss said.
“Brett is a great communicator that has gained instant respect from all at the club.”
Joining Fisher is coaching debutante Geoff Bartling, who leads the reserves, while Julian Smith joins his brother, coaching the Under 18s.
“Geoff is coming off a successful playing career at the club, he’s a great acquisition to develop our young list,” Bayliss said.
“Julian, on the other hand, has had great success as a junior coach at Woori Yallock Football Club, coaching their Under 18s side to successive premierships (Division 1 and 2) in the past two years.”
Also joining the club are Brad Harvey, who spent three seasons in the AFL with Brisbane, and Scott Dwyer, a former VFL-listed player.
“Brad is an extremely talented midfielder-forward, while Scott is a tall, strong key-position player,” Bayliss said.
One key figure in the rebuild is former player-coach, Jarrod Bayliss.
After stepping down from his coaching role, Jarrod has been labelled the player to watch this season.
