Sturt out to regain pride

By Duane Schultz, Eastern Courier   Picture: Noelle Bobrige

New coach Seamus Maloney hopes to instil a fast-breaking, aggressive brand of football into Sturt next season and lift his side off the bottom of the ladder.

A premiership captain with the Double Blues in 2002, Maloney says he is on the lookout for leaders at Unley, to help make the group as tight as it was during his 152 games from 1996 to 2003.

"I see a group which has a fair bit of upside even though we had a disappointing season," Maloney, 37, says.

"I think, with the age of the group, there's not a huge amount of experience around the place, so I'm looking to get the basics in and do the basics really well and play good, consistent, aggressive, fast football - that's the stuff I want to see.

"During my playing days at Sturt I had very good memories.

"We had very good leaders and I enjoyed playing under Phil Carman and Brenton Phillips…it was an enjoyable place to be.

"We were a poor side when I started and a lot of guys got together and stayed pretty strong.

"We played in a lot of finals and a couple of grand finals and we won one which was very satisfying."

Maloney, of Clarence Park, took over from Luke Norman last week after the club's board sacked Norman with a  season left to run on his contract.

"It was very much out of the blue," Maloney said.

"I was preparing to help as an assistant again.

"They said they wanted to chat to me and told me what was happening and that the board had made a decision to replace Luke and they'd like me to do the job.

"It was a bit of a shock. I didn't expect that and it sent me into a spin for a couple of days."

In his three seasons in charge at Unley Norman took the side to second, fifth and ninth.

Sturt chief executive officer Matt Benson said the club was in negotiations with Norman to work through a release of his contract.

"There was no acrimony. The view of Luke, his a very good bloke and solid citizen and was committed to the footy club, so it wasn't an easy decision," Benson said.

"The directors deliberated long and hard over the financial ramifications and we are confident we can cover any shortfall.

"We wish Luke every success in the future and he has a lot to offer football in another role."