STORM’S NEW COACH
ANTHONY Satrick might have just signed himself up for the toughest job in rugby league.
The new Edmonton Storm coach has been tasked to take a side that didn’t win a game this year and has only won two matches in its past two seasons.
But Satrick, who coached Brothers’ under-19s team to a grand final this year, said that was part of the reason he signed up for the job.
“We need the CDRL to have more competitive clubs at A-grade level,” he said.
“I have always had aspirations to coach first grade and sometimes you have got to take on the tough challenges.”
Satrick, a CDRL journeyman, has played at five clubs in the competition, including Edmonton in 2011.
He’s also pulled on the boots for Suburbs, Kangaroos and Ivanhoes. His only Agrade premiership was with Brothers in 2012.
“I’ve been around the traps and I know a lot of blokes in rugby league and I’m hoping to get some of them to come and play at the Storm next year,” Satrick said.
“I’ve already got a couple of blokes committed.”
Former Kangaroos playmaker Tim Oberleuter has returned from Weipa and will play for the Storm in 2019. The veteran is “tough as nails”, according to Satrick, and will bring experience to the Edmonton squad.
Oberleuter will be joined by Mick Wilson, a former Pride player who has been travelling around the world.
“There will be more signings but we have a budget in place,” Satrick said. “I want to try and offer incentives for wins.”
As coach of a club that doesn’t win often, Satrick said he wasn’t being too optimistic.
“I don’t want to make too many big promises but I can promise that we’ll be more competitive next year and I can promise that we’ll win some games.”
Satrick said the club needed to build on its strong junior program. “We’ve got kids coming out of our ears at junior level so it’s about providing a pathway,” he said.