Tara Murray
Keilor Park has locked in its coaching panel as it aims to continue its progress in Essendon District Football League division 1.
After the sudden departure of premiership coach Paul Guicas, the Devils quickly looked to install a new coaching group.
The new coaching group will be led by a Devils legend, with Leigh Coles taking on the senior coaching role.
“Leigh has taken the reins from our premiership coach Paul Guicas who was unable to coach in 2024,” the Devils said on social media.
“He worked closely with Paul earlier this pre-season and has inherited a fantastic young playing group that has been built and nurtured by Paul.
“Leigh will build from the outstanding platform Paul Guicas implemented over the past four years and there will be no limitations on what this group may achieve in 2024..”
Coles played more than 300 games for the Devils and was part of their 2001 premiership team.
He was named on a half back flank in the club’s hall of fame team, before he then moved onto coaching the Keilor Park senior team in B grade narrowly missing the finals 2011.
He has also had stints at Sunbury Lions and Keilor.
Joining him in the coaching panel is Colby Blyth and Jesse Smith.
Blyth had spent the past two seasons as senior coach at Sunshine Heights in the Western Region Football League division 3 competition, taking the side to finals in both year.
He had also played at a number of clubs including at South Australian National Football League level with North Adelaide and Woodville West Torrens.
Smith comes to the club after an extensive background at a number of different levels of football.
He played two games for Carlton in 2006 and captained-coach Portarlington plus a few other clubs along the way.
Smith is the son of former Keilor Park player Brendan Smith.
Another son of a former player, Kyall Parker, has joined the club in a playing capacity.
In 2023, Kyall, the son of Craig Parker, showcased his prowess as a forward for Sunshine Heights, finishing an impressive third in the league best and fairest.
He kicked 80 goals for the season.
