Former Doveton Eagles president Paul Davis will coach the senior side next year after the club sacked Paul Wilson, who led the side to a minor premiership.Paul Wilson is disappointed with the decision and said his departure would have an impact on the team’s playing list.By Glen Atwell
AFTER coaching the Doveton Eagles to a minor premiership in Division Three of the Southern Football League (SFL) this year, Paul Wilson has been sacked.
Not too many suburban clubs would be prepared to dismiss a coach with a first-year record of 17 wins and three losses, but the Eagles are standing by their decision.
The side did not capture the premiership flag, but after missing out on finals football for the previous three seasons, the result was nothing short of spectacular and Wilson wants to set the record straight.
“I’m very, very disappointed,” he said.
New coach Paul Davis has been senior |captain for the past six years and will replace Wilson, who said the club had “cultural |flaws”.
“I came with hardness and discipline to sort that side out,” Wilson said.
“The success came, but hard training and hard work didn’t fit in with some of the people at the club.
“Culture is hard to change and the Doveton Eagles won’t go too far with an attitude like that.”
Davis has no coaching experience, and new club president Craig Price said Davis would be required to obtain a coaching certificate.
“It is a league requirement to have a coaching certificate,” Price said.
Wilson said he was confident he was to be reappointed as only he and reserves coach Jason Salerno, who has since left the Eagles to coach at Caulfield, applied for the top job.
“A month after applications closed there were only two in the race, then on the night of interviews Paul Davis decided to run as well,” Wilson said.
But Price said since Davis collected the applications himself, he could have submitted one at anytime.
“There is no proof suggesting that Davis didn’t apply for the job in time,” he said.
Price said it was a lose-lose situation for the club.
“Wilson has been used as a scapegoat”.
“Had we won two more games and taken home the premiership, it would have been hard not to reappoint him,” he said.
The sacking will have a major impact on the Eagles playing list, although it is not yet clear whether it will be good or bad.
Price said Davis would attract players to the club, while Wilson believes his departure will cause shock waves.
Price said Eagles star and league best and fairest Ben Hughes was keen on playing at the club next year.
But Hughes said he was surprised by the move to sack Wilson and was unsure of his football future.
“I enjoyed the hard training and sometimes felt like I was the only one giving it a crack,” he said.
“I’ve had a few clubs contact me, and I’m definitely considering all my options.
“At this stage I probably won’t be playing for the Eagles next year.”
