By ROY WARD
NORWOOD has made its premiership intentions crystal clear by signing former Noble Park premiership coach Denis Knight for the 2013 Eastern Football League season.
The 43-year-old coach will return to Melbourne in the coming weeks after spending several years living in Queensland and coaching in the Queensland Australian Football League with Broadbeachand Southport and spending a less-successful stint with Labrador this past season.
The Norsemen announced Knight’s appointment last week and the former Bulls coach replaces Kevin Tibaldi, who was not re-appointed. The club won the minor premiership this year but lost out to grand finalist Vermont and premier Balwyn in the finals.
Knight said he knew his task was to take the Norsemen to the promised land. “It may only seem like a small step but going to that next level is certainly a bigger step than it looks. I’m definitely not going to turn the place upside-down. Kevin has done a fantastic job.”
He also said Norwood officials would handle the bulk of the recruiting for his first season, with several recruits on the verge of joining the club.
A playing senior coach in the Bulls’ 2003 and 2004 premierships, Knight has played in the Victorian Football League, South Australian National Football League and the Tasmanian Football League.
He said the Norsemen had attracted him by the growth of the club both on and off the field. “The excitement comes from where the club is at, where it hopes to be. Not just next year but longer term.”
Knight had planned to move back to Melbourne in the new year but will now do in just weeks.
Norwood president Mark Etherington thanked Tibaldi for his work in developing the club in division 1. “Kevin Tibaldi has served the club professionally, passionately and diligently for five seasons and has been a pivotal part of our growth in the premier division.”
