Loyalty and ambition keeps Webb in Dinos’ ranks

ANDREW Webb couldn’t bring himself to walk out on Newcomb & District.

After a tumultuous season that saw the Dinos relegated to GCA3 just 12 months after winning the GCA2 premiership — and the controversial axing of playing coach Jeewan De Silva — Webb considered moving on.

He was courted by Manifold Heights, and almost agreed to terms, before signing the dotted line as coach of Newcomb & District.

“It was all up in the air,” Webb conceded.

“I was thinking about going because I didn’t want to go down to GCA3, but I talked to a few guys at Newcomb and they convinced me to stay around and take the coaching job on. I’d been in talks about coaching, and I just thought that I wouldn’t be able to forgive myself if I left and the club folded in a year or so, so I decided to stay.”

All-rounder Webb admitted he was close to leaving Grinter Reserve, having sat down with Manifold Heights president Damian Tom and new coach Ben Nichols.

“I had a few talks with Tommy and Benny Nichols, but I wanted to stay with mates,” Webb said.

“I felt a sense of loyalty to the club and I didn’t want to see them fold. Newcomb approached me last year about coaching but I felt we needed to go in a new direction.

“We were going to be relegated and the old committee hadn’t adjusted, so I said that I’d talk to the new committee about ideas for next year and they said ‘We think you’re the man to do it’.”

Taking the reins last week, Webb quickly turned his attention to retaining the senior list.

Star batsman Luke Slater has returned to Torquay, while talented bat Josh Janssen is weighing up a move to Marshall.

Leopold quick James Menzies has also been linked with the Bears, which would help lure Janssen.

“He’d (Janssen) only go there because he’s best mates with Menzies,” Webb said.

“But we’ve also been best mates since we were kids and he’s got a lot of mates around the club.

“So he’s umming and ahhing about what to do. I’m hoping I’ll get him, but we’ll see how we go.”

A host of players have returned to the club, and Webb is watching out for new talent.

“I’ve kept everyone bar Slater and Janssen and I’ve also got a few players who are returning,” Webb said.

“Ryan Smith is back. He had a season off and he played in our twos and half a season in the ones the year we won the flag. Brett Nolan is committed if he’s in Geelong and Jackson Attwood is coming back.

“I’m chasing a few people, but I haven’t had proper chats with them. I’ve just been getting the club sorted first and then I’ll go after players I think we need.”