Coach quits on ‘rumblings’

Detractors take their toll at Centurions over youth development focus

WERRIBEE Centrals coach Peter Mark will stand down after this weekend’s season closer against Bannockburn, prompted by “rumblings” at the club.

Mark made the decision before last week’s shock loss to Belmont, before informing his senior playing group earlier this week.

“I announced to the executive committee last week that I was resigning because of some rumblings that were going on at the football club,” Mark said.

“Some members of the committee wanted to go one way while others wanted to go against what I had been trying to build.

“It got to a point where things were being said, which was slicing my coaching structure, so I decided to let go of the job.

“I think at the end of the day you just have to stay strong to the cause, I probably did that (from a development angle) to the detriment of my coaching.”

No coach has used his under-18 side more since taking the reins in 2015, with his Colts group rallying from a Division 3 finals contender to Division 2 grand finalist last year.

“Last weekend I played an extra three under-18 players in the senior side because that was something I stuck through with going down the line,” Mark said.

“Ed Cachia (president) was comfortable with that, as were others, however there are individuals at the club that just wanted to recruit mature-age guys from the region and have instant success.”

While the Centurions did not make the finals in his three-year tenure, Mark believes he is handing his successor a group on the verge of something special.

“All I can say to my successor, whoever he is, hopefully stick to what the club is doing because I would have liked to keep developing but there was just too much pressure for instant success,” he said.

“The standout junior was Bradley Carlton, he’s a chance for our senior best-and-fairest after playing in our losing Colts grand final last year.

“He was the first to buck the trend and play seniors as a 17year-old and he, Jared Fletcher and Josh Sloan all played for the Werribee development side a few weeks ago.

“The coaches over there were really impressed with Carlton and Fletcher as well.

“You then have guys who were 19 when I started coaching and now they’re in their early-20s, like Luke Cachia, who have been maturing on the field each week.

“On the veterans list, Stephen Morgan was one of those types who emphasised what football clubs are all about on the training track.

“To lose him in the second game probably set us back.”

First-year club president Cachia said he was disappointed in Mark’s departure and the club must find someone who can continue with the group.

“We’re welcoming as many applications as we can get,” Cachia said.

“It will be interesting to see what happens with the Werribee (VFL) development side and where some of their staff will go next year.”

Mark assures his playing group he will not look back on his departure with anger, but reflect on how far his juniors have come.