By JARROD POTTER
IT WAS a “no-brainer”.
Noble Park Football Club announced a boon signing for their senior coaching vacancy as the Bulls re-united with dual EFL premiership coach Mick Fogarty.
Fogarty, who had stepped down from the Noble Park coaching position at the end of 2013, said he was asked by the club if he was interested to return after his one-year sabbatical and emphatically accepted.
“It was a phone call from the footy club and I was interested in coming back,” Fogarty said. “It was probably a no-brainer at the end of the day.
“I’ve had a great run in regards to what we’ve been able to achieve as a player and a coach and it’s a great club to go back to.”
“It’s a terrific competition and to watch the Vermont and Balwyn last week – getting back down and watching that – and wanting to be part of all that again was a no-brainer and it’s great to get back to the club.”
A year out of coaching did Fogarty a world of good – allowing him to enjoy football as a spectator – but admitted the hunger started to return to get into the coach’s box.
“It was refreshing to get away and watch a bit of local footy – Richmond in the AFL – and not have the pressure so to speak of being tied down to a place every weekend,” Fogarty said.
“Really missed the match day stuff and being around the place and the footy club.
“Certainly a great year off but it’s great to be back.”
Speculation surrounded whether Fogarty would head out to coach the Frankston Dolphins VFL team after current coach Simon Goosey was asked to re-apply for his job.
Fogarty confirmed he was only looking at Noble Park or Frankston for 2015 and would only head the Dolphins if he had wanted to take that step up to the next level.
Fogarty said there was a list management meeting scheduled for Thursday night to discuss the direction of the playing list moving into the off-season.
Noble Park president David Allan said a coach of Fogarty’s calibre is a boon for any club who can pick him up and the Bulls were thrilled to regain him at the helm.
“Any coach that has had that with a club that he’s had three grand finals and two premierships – it’s a formula for success,” Allan said.
“He’s had a year off, not necessarily a bad thing, to focus on family and work and he’s up and about and ready to go again.
“He’s refreshed and has some different ideas, the energy is up and he’s down at the club tonight (Thursday) and is full steam ahead.”
Noble Park and 2014 coach Jon Knight split ways after round 16 after it was confirmed Knight would not be re-appointed for next year. Playing assistant-coach Stewart Kemperman filled the interim coaching position for the Bulls’ final two rounds of 2014.
