By JARROD POTTER
NOBLE Park is not mucking around this off-season.
With a stinging 40-point EFL Division 1 grand final loss to Balwyn still fresh in their minds, the Bulls have wasted no time announcing their new coach to take the reins from outgoing club legend Mick Fogarty – naming former Knox senior coach Jon Knight.
Knight has coached Knox for the last three seasons, Carey Grammar and Rowville – as an assistant.
His football pedigree is as impressive as his coaching, with the hard-nosed midfielder named a member of the East Ringwood team of the 2000s decade and sharing in the glory of its 2002 EFL premiership.
“Very exciting – I can’t wait now. We’ve been talking for a couple of weeks and to have it all finalised before AFL Grand Final day was great,” Knight said.
“It’s the most illustrious job in local football coaching.”
It was Noble or nothing for Knight in 2014 – only applying for the Bulls head coaching role.
“Pretty informal to start with – interested in going for it as I resigned from the Knox Football Club,” Knight said.
“Dave (Allan) the president and Mick Dunne they were sensational with where they want to take the club and I indicated to them that I was keen.
“That’s when I sent off my resume – if I didn’t get the Noble Park job, I wasn’t coaching this year.
As an overall package – with exceptional list-depth and facilities – Knight believes the Noble Park job is the best available in the league.
“Very honoured to be asked if I would be interested for applying – totally different mindset to go with coaching as we all know how hard it can be with a side that isn’t as a competitive,” Knight said.
“There’s always a standout side and we were always struggling to get a win.
“To have the resources and one of the main things is they can draw players to the club.
“That was one of the main things that jump out to me – the facilities, the lights, the ground – I think they’re the best in the competition and I think the playing list there is as good as Balwyn or anyone else going around on their day.”
On Knight’s recruiting wish list are a nimble midfielder and another defensive tall to alleviate the pressure that was all too apparent on the Bulls’ defenders in the grand final.
“We need a bit more pace around the footy and maybe another tall to help down back,” Knight said.
“Another small forward to make sure the ball doesn’t get out of the forward line as well.”
Noble Park president David Allan said the club knew what they wanted in regards to a coach that will develop their younger players and maintain their spot near the top of the EFL ladder and Knight fit the bill.
“He’s got some big shoes to fill with Foggers (Mick Fogarty) the preceding coach – the development of younger players and we like to aim for the highest we can and have to find a strategy to go one better in the seniors and across the club and these are the things we think he can bring to the table.
“Pretty tough decision but Jon ticked the boxes with a broad-based experience and coaching in the EFL was an advantage – he knows our list well and knows other teams too.”
