FITTOCK LEADS COACHING TEAM AT LEICHHARDT
TWO Leichhardt veterans and a former rival club striker will join forces to mentor the Lions’ Premier League team this season.
Nine-time premiership winner with the Lions, Stacey Fittock has returned to the club he’s called home since the ’80s but says there was one important condition underlining his return.
“I don’t really have the time for it, (coaching) is really timeconsuming,” Fittock said.
“So the idea was to come back as part of a coaching team. It was an integral part of me coming back this year, because I didn’t want to do it if I was just going to let everyone down when I’m not here.”
His team of coaches includes former English League One and Two veteran Alex Russell, who this season was lured to White Rock after a one-year stint with Stratford Dolphins. Russell was signed by the club as player-coach and will bring experience on to the paddock.
“He’ll be a dominant presence on the field,” Fittock said.
“I spoke to players from other clubs and players from Leichhardt … it was a pretty widely-known fact that (last season) we had a lot of good ball players, a lot of good young players, but there was no senior presence on the field to keep the sanity when you’re winning 1-0 with 15 minutes to go.
“Alex is an important part of just controlling the play and adding to a young side that’s been at Leichhardt for a long time.”
The other man joining Fittock on the sidelines will be Karl Bennett – a club life member who “knows the players and the club” and has played an assistant coach role in previous seasons. Peter Wilson will serve as team manager.
Fittock himself walked away from senior coaching duties three years ago “for a break from football”, and only watched one Leichhardt game last year.
He said the club struggled with a lack of depth last season and while most key players had resigned, Fittock made a surprising admission ahead of season 2020.
“Edge Hill were dominant (last season), I don’t remember any team winning by that many points before.
“So coming back in and thinking I’m going to win the league would be crazy. It’s seems like it’s a battle for second.
“To turn 16 points around in one year would be a miracle wouldn’t it?”
“I think it’s a battle to make the top four because it was close last year right up until the last couple of games. I don’t think there’s anyone outside of Edge Hill that wouldn’t be thinking they’re a legitimate chance to make the four. So that’s a challenge in itself to make sure we stay there.”
Fittock said the Lions had a reputation of “bullying” teams and using direct football on a traditionally bumpy pitch.
“We are determined to try and be the exact opposite.”
Leichhardt will play their first competitive game of the year on March 7 when they travel to Nick Brko Field to take on Stratford in the FFA Cup. They’ll make the same road trip to open their FNQ Premier League campaign on Sunday, March 29.