AMMOS TO DARLEY DEFENCE
GEELONG Amateur has urged the local football community to give Sam Darley a “second chance” as he prepares for his return to the region.
Ammos have defended Darley’s appointment as cocoach after he walked out on North Shore three years ago.
The BFL club also said it expected Darley and co-coach Daniel Holroyd to return it to finals.
Ammos missed the top five for the first time since 2012 this season.
“We’re not expecting anything but finals for next year,” president Simon Farrell said.
“That’s where the club has always been.”
Darley, who played 20 AFL games with Greater Western Sydney and the Western Bulldogs, coached North Shore in 2018 but shocked the GFL cellar-dweller when he quit with a year remaining on his contract.
It was reported at the time that the Seagulls first learnt of his departure to his junior club, North Hobart, via social media.
Farrell said Darley had matured from his experience at North Shore.
“When you’re 23, 24, to take on a senior coaching job … in the GFL is a big ask,” he said.
“Four years later, 28 is big difference … in a man’s makeup.
“He’s learnt a lot from that and I think everyone deserves a second chance.
“I have heard a lot of it (criticism of the appointment).
I haven’t spoken to Sam but I have plenty of times a couple of years ago.
“I just think back to myself when I was 23, 24. If I was coaching a GFL side, where do you start? He’s come a long way since then. I suppose you’ve just got to give someone the benefit of the doubt.”
Darley coached LeetonWhitton in NSW this year and captained Richmond’s VFL team for two years after he was delisted by the Bulldogs.
Farrell said the club had no
WHEN YOU’RE 23, 24, TO TAKE ON A SENIOR COACHING JOB … IN THE GFL IS A BIG ASK. FOUR YEARS LATER, 28 IS BIG DIFFERENCE … IN A MAN’S MAKE UP.” AMMOS PRESIDENT SIMON FARRELL
reservations about installing Darley as co-coach. “We knew this was all going to come as soon as he was appointed,” he said. “We’re fine with it.”